Spout and packaging container

Abstract

A spout (10) is to be welded to a packaging bag (20) and includes an attachment part (12) welded to the packaging bag (20), and a pouring part (11) protruding to the outside of the packaging bag (20) from the attachment part (12). An outer peripheral part (13) of the attachment part (12) welded to the packaging bag (20) has four or more ribs (14), each having a width of 1 mm or more, which are parallel to each other in a direction in which the pouring part (11) protrudes from the attachment part (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout and a packaging container.

[0002] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-025826 filed on February 22, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] As an example of a conventional packaging bag, paragraph 0010 of Patent Document 1 describes use of a laminate film in which a sealant such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) is laminated with a stretched film such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (Ny), or PP. Also, paragraph 0011 describes that the spout has a thermoplastic resin layer that can be welded to the sealant of the packaging bag, and that PE, PP, PET, Ny, or the like can be used.CITATION LISTPatent Document

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-7630SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0005] In recent years, mono-material container packaging using PE or the like as a single resin or resins of similar types has been proposed to facilitate recycling. However, when a spout is adhered to a mono-material packaging bag, thermal weldability of the packaging bag deteriorates, which may result in reduced productivity and a degraded appearance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an objective of the present invention is to provide a spout and a packaging container that have excellent weldability even for a mono-material packaging bag formed of a polyethylene-based resin or the like.Solution to Problem

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention is a spout to be welded to a packaging bag and including an attachment part welded to the packaging bag, and a pouring part protruding from the attachment part to the outside of the packaging bag, in which an outer peripheral part of the attachment part welded to the packaging bag has four or more ribs, each having a width of 1 mm or more, which are parallel to each other in a direction in which the pouring part protrudes from the attachment part. That is, the ribs are disposed to be aligned at intervals from each other in a direction in which the pouring part protrudes from the attachment part. The ribs are preferably parallel to each other, but need not be strictly parallel as long as a gap is provided between them.

[0008] The second aspect is, in the first aspect, characterized in that the surfaces of the ribs welded to the packaging bag may have a satin finish applied thereto. The satin finish refers to a surface treatment that creates fine irregularities on the surface to give it a rough texture.

[0009] The third aspect is, in the first or second aspect, characterized in that at least the outer peripheral part of the attachment part is formed of a polyethylene-based resin. Thereby, the surface of the rib welded to the packaging bag is formed of a polyethylene-based resin.

[0010] The fourth aspect is, in any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the packaging bag is formed of a laminated film having two or more layers of resin films (resin layers), and the two or more layers of resin films (resin layers) are formed only of a polyethylene-based resin. The polyethylene-based resins forming the respective resin films (resin layers) may be completely the same or different in composition from each other.

[0011] The fifth aspect is a packaging container having a packaging bag to which a spout according to any one of the aspects 1 to 4 is welded.

[0012] The sixth aspect is, in the fifth aspect, characterized in that the packaging bag is formed of a laminated film having two or more layers of resin films (resin layers), and the two or more layers of resin films (resin layers) are formed only of a polyethylene-based resin.ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spout and a packaging container that have excellent thermal weldability even for a mono-material packaging bag.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] [FIG. 1] A front view illustrating an example of a spout of an embodiment. [FIG. 2] A cross-sectional view illustrating an example of welding the spout of the embodiment to a packaging bag. [FIG. 3] A cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a laminated film used for the packaging bag. [FIG. 4] A front view illustrating a first example of a packaging container. [FIG. 5] A front view illustrating a second example of the packaging container. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described on the basis of preferred embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a spout 10 according to an embodiment. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates a part in which the spout 10 is welded to a packaging bag 20. The spout 10 in the illustrated example is welded to the packaging bag 20 to be used in a packaging container having the spout 10 and the packaging bag 20.

[0017] The spout 10 in the illustrated example has an attachment part 12 having an outer peripheral part 13 that is welded to the packaging bag 20 and a pouring part 11 that protrudes from the attachment part 12 to the outside of the packaging bag 20. The attachment part 12 is disposed along an end edge part 20a of the packaging bag 20.

[0018] Although not particularly illustrated in the drawing, the pouring part 11 is cylindrical and has a flow path therein through which contents of the packaging bag 20 can be poured out. The flow path inside the spout 10 is formed to penetrate from a base part 12a of the attachment part 12 to a tip part 11a of the pouring part 11. The flow path of the spout 10 opens toward an internal space 20b of the packaging bag 20 at the base part 12a side.

[0019] A shape of the pouring part 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a rectangular cylindrical shape, or the like. Although not particularly illustrated, a lid member such as a cap may be attached to the pouring part 11. A flange part 17, a male thread part 18, and the like may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the pouring part 11. If the male thread part 18 is provided on the pouring part 11, a female thread part is provided on the lid member. A method of attaching the lid member to the pouring part 11 is not limited to the screw connection, and may be fitting, engagement, or the like.

[0020] A protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is a direction in which the pouring part 11 protrudes from the attachment part 12, from the base part 12a of the attachment part 12 toward the tip part 11a. In the illustrated spout 10, the flow path is formed straight from the base part 12a to the tip part 11a, and the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is a vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pouring part 11 stands vertically upright from a center of an upper surface of the base part 12a.

[0021] In the illustrated spout 10, a boundary part 12b between the pouring part 11 and the attachment part 12 is formed in a stepped shape. Specifically, a cross-sectional shape of the attachment part 12 on a plane orthogonal to the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is larger than a cross-sectional shape of the pouring part 11. Although not particularly illustrated, the attachment part 12 may have the same cross-sectional shape as the pouring part 11. For example, the pouring part 11 and the attachment part 12 may be cylindrical with substantially the same diameter.

[0022] A cross-sectional shape of the attachment part 12 is not particularly limited, and examples of the cross-sectional shape on a plane orthogonal to the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 include, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a boat shape, and the like. Here, the boat shape refers to a shape in which, in a plan view of the attachment part 12, both end parts in a longitudinal direction of the attachment part 12 protrude in a substantially triangular shape toward respective protruding parts 16, and both side surfaces of the attachment part 12 are curved in a substantially arc shape. The attachment part 12 is thickest in a minor axis direction at a central part in a major axis direction. In the illustrated example, the major axis direction is a left-right direction in FIG. 1, and the minor axis direction is a left-right direction in FIG. 2.

[0023] A cross-sectional shape of the flow path inside the spout 10 is not particularly limited, and examples of the cross-sectional shape on a plane orthogonal to the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 include, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, and the like. An inner surface of the flow path may be concentric with an outer surface of the pouring part 11. The inside of the flow path may be a single space, or may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces (flow paths) via a partition wall or the like extending in a longitudinal direction of the pouring part 11.

[0024] A shape of the flow path in the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is not particularly limited, and may be linear, curved, arcuate, bent, or the like. Although not particularly illustrated, in the attachment part 12, the same flow path may branch into two or more on a distal end side of the pouring part 11. Alternatively, a distal end of the flow path of the spout 10 may open toward a lateral side of the pouring part 11 instead of opening at the tip part 11a of the pouring part 11.

[0025] The pouring part 11 may not protrude linearly and vertically from the attachment part 12, the pouring part 11 may protrude at an inclination from an upper surface of the attachment part 12, or the pouring part 11 may be curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. Regardless of whether a central axis of the pouring part 11 is linear or not, a circumferential edge of the boundary part 12b is preferably disposed to be coplanar with the end edge part 20a of the packaging bag 20.

[0026] The spout 10 of the embodiment has a plurality of ribs 14 on the outer peripheral part 13 of the attachment part 12. A gap part 15 is disposed between the ribs 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the pouring part 11, a surface 14a of the rib 14 facing the packaging bag 20 protrudes more than the gap part 15. Further, the number of the plurality of ribs 14 that are parallel to each other in the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is four or more. The number may be any number of four or more, but is preferably four to six, and more preferably four to five.

[0027] The ribs 14 in this example extend in parallel along the boundary part 12b between the pouring part 11 and the attachment part 12. As a result, after the spout 10 is welded to the packaging bag 20, the ribs 14 extend in parallel along the end edge part 20a of the packaging bag 20. Each rib 14 preferably extends over the entire length of the side surface of the pouring part 11 between the left and right protruding parts 16. Although the ribs 14 are preferably parallel to each other, they do not need to be strictly parallel as long as a gap is provided between them. A width of each rib 14 may be constant in a longitudinal direction of the rib 14, or, instead of being constant, there may be a shape such that, for example, the width varies periodically in the longitudinal direction of the rib 14.

[0028] A welding method of the spout 10 is not particularly limited, and a heating member may be placed on an outer side of the packaging bag 20 to heat an area between the packaging bag 20 and the spout 10 so that a part of a resin thereof melts. Specific examples of the welding method include heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high-frequency sealing, impulse sealing, and the like.

[0029] When a packaging material 23 forming the packaging bag 20 is welded to the surface 14a of each rib 14, a plurality of seal parts are formed along the end edge part 20a of the packaging bag 20. Thereby, the contents (not illustrated) housed in the internal space 20b of the packaging bag 20 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner without leaking from the welded part between the spout 10 and the packaging bag 20.

[0030] However, in a case of conventional spouts, there have been cases in which sealing performance is poor for the packaging bag 20 formed of mono-material materials having a relatively low melting point such as a polyethylene-based resin. One of the reasons for this is that, for example, the packaging bag 20 is formed of the thin packaging material 23 such as a resin film, whereas the spout is formed of a thick molded product. That is, this is thought to be because an outer surface of the spout is less likely to melt, excessive heat is applied to the packaging bag 20 before the welding is completed, and the packaging material 23 tends to melt first.

[0031] For example, if the outer peripheral part 13 of the attachment part 12 has a smooth surface without the uneven structure due to the ribs 14 and gap parts 15, heat and pressure during welding are more likely to be applied uniformly over the entire outer peripheral part 13. Therefore, it can be said that the outer peripheral part 13 is less likely to melt, making welding defects more likely to occur. The same is considered to apply to a case in which the number of ribs 14 formed on the outer peripheral part 13 is one. If there is only one rib 14 and a width of the rib is large, there is also a problem that sink marks are likely to occur during molding.

[0032] If the number of ribs 14 formed on the outer peripheral part 13 is two, the heat and pressure applied during welding are concentrated on the surfaces 14a of the two ribs 14. In order to evenly weld the two ribs 14, it is necessary to apply heat and pressure uniformly on a plane including the surfaces 14a of the ribs 14. For example, if the heat and pressure are not applied evenly to both of the two ribs 14 and a welding bias occurs, there is a likelihood that the welding of one of the ribs 14 will become unstable.

[0033] If the number of ribs 14 formed on the outer peripheral part 13 is three, the heat and pressure applied during welding are distributed across the surfaces 14a of the three ribs 14. In order to evenly weld the three ribs 14, it is necessary to apply heat and pressure uniformly on a plane including the surfaces 14a of the ribs 14. However, due to molding errors or the like of the ribs 14, the surfaces 14a of the ribs 14 may not be aligned on the same plane. If the heating temperature is high, it is easy to deform a part of the ribs 14 by melting, but there is a likelihood that the packaging bag 20 will melt excessively. If the heating temperature is low, there is a likelihood that the heat and pressure may be unevenly applied to the three ribs 14. Particularly, if welding becomes unstable at the two ribs 14 on the base part 12a side and the boundary part 12b side, there is a likelihood of welding defects unless liquid tightness is ensured solely by the single intermediate rib 14.

[0034] If the number of ribs 14 formed on the outer peripheral part 13 is four or more, in addition to the two ribs 14 on the base part 12a side and the boundary part 12b side, two or more ribs 14 are disposed to be aligned between them. Therefore, even if there are factors that hinder uniform welding such as uneven heights of the surfaces 14a of the ribs 14, it is possible to weld at least two ribs 14. The liquid tightness can be ensured with two or more ribs 14.

[0035] A width of each rib 14 in the protruding direction of the pouring part 11 is preferably 1 mm or more. If the width of the rib 14 is too small, the seal part becomes too thin, making it difficult to obtain satisfactory sealing properties. An upper limit value of the width of the rib 14 is not particularly limited, and the width of the rib 14 may be 3 mm or less, or 2 mm or less. Although the surface 14a of each rib 14 is preferably flat in a width direction of the rib 14, it may be slightly chamfered at both ends in the width direction of the rib 14, or may be slightly curved in a convex or concave manner in the width direction of the rib 14.

[0036] Although a width of the gap part 15 is not limited, it is preferably 1 mm or more and 7 mm or less, and may be 2 mm or more and 6 mm or less. Although an area ratio of the gap part 15 to the entire side surface of the attachment part 12 is not limited, it may be 20% or more and 85% or less, and may be 40% or more and 70% or less. When the area ratio falls within these ranges, a temperature of the rib 14 rises quickly during sealing, facilitating welding, and a strength after welding is also satisfactory. After the welding, a distal end of the rib 14 may be melted and fused to the packaging bag 20. After the seal part is formed, a slight gap may be formed between the gap part 15 and an inner surface of the packaging bag 20, or a recess caused by the gap part 15 may be filled with a seal material.

[0037] It is preferable that the surface 14a of the rib 14 facing the packaging bag 20 have a satin finish applied thereto. The satin finish is a process in which minute irregularities are formed on the surface 14a, and the surface 14a may be randomly roughened by sanding, blasting, or the like, or irregularities may be transferred by embossing or the like using a mold having an irregular surface complementary to the desired satin finish. In a mold for forming the attachment part 12 of the spout 10, the mold surface configured to form the ribs 14 may be subjected to a satin finish. With such a satin finish, an anchor effect on the seal material after welding can be enhanced, thereby improving a welding strength.

[0038] The spout 10 is preferably formed of a polyolefin-based resin such as a polyethylene-based resin or a polypropylene-based resin. A method for forming the spout 10 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include injection molding, extrusion molding, and the like.

[0039] A molding resin for the spout 10 is not particularly limited, and examples of the polyethylene-based resins include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and the like, and examples of the polypropylene-based resins include propylene homopolymer, block copolymer, random copolymer, and the like.

[0040] The spout 10 may be formed of a single type of resin, or may be formed by blending or laminating two or more types of resins. At least a part of the resin used for the spout 10 may be a recycled resin obtained from a used resin. At least the outer peripheral part 13 of the attachment part 12 is preferably formed of a polyethylene-based resin or a polypropylene-based resin.

[0041] Although it is possible to use a two-color molded spout 10, from a cost perspective, it is preferable to form the spout 10 using a single type of resin. In a case of the two-color molded spout 10, an inner surface of the flow path disposed in the pouring part 11 and the attachment part 12 may be formed of an appropriate material different from the outer peripheral part 13 of the attachment part 12 such as a cyclic olefin-based resin.

[0042] The packaging material 23 forming the packaging bag 20 may be formed of a single type of resin, or may be formed by blending or laminating two or more types of resins. At least one of the resins used in the packaging material 23 is preferably a polyolefin-based resin. At least a part of the resin used for the packaging bag 20 may be a recycled resin obtained from a used resin.

[0043] The packaging material 23 may include a plurality of resin films such as, for example, a sealant 21 and a base material 22. To form a mono-material packaging bag 20, a resin film contained in the packaging material 23 is preferably formed of only a polyolefin-based resin, and more preferably formed of only a polypropylene-based resin or a polyethylene-based resin. The resin film contained in the packaging material 23 may be formed of only a polyethylene-based resin.

[0044] Examples of materials for the sealant 21 include a polyolefin-based resin such as a polyethylene-based resin and a polypropylene-based resin. For example, in a case of a polyethylene-based resin, specific examples include LLDPE, LDPE, and the like. A material forming the sealant 21 may be a single type of resin or a blend of two or more types of resins. A thickness of the sealant 21 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, about 60 to 180 µm.

[0045] A material of the base material 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a resin, paper, cellophane, a metal foil, and the like. A resin of the base material 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a polyolefin-based resin such as a polyethylene-based resin and a polypropylene-based resin, a polyester-based resin such as PET, a polyamide resin such as Ny, and the like.

[0046] In mono-material packaging, it is preferable to use a polyolefin-based resin such as a polyethylene-based resin or a polypropylene-based resin for the base material 22. Specific examples thereof include a resin film such as, for example, LLDPE, LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, and PP. A thickness of the base material 22 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, about 10 to 50 µm in terms of a thickness of each layer or a total thickness.

[0047] The base material 22 may include a stretched resin film. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when a laminated film 40 serving as the packaging material 23 includes a sealant resin film 41, an intermediate resin film 42, and an outer resin film 43, it is preferable to use a stretched resin film for the intermediate resin film 42 adjacent to the sealant resin film 41. The intermediate resin film 42 is preferably a uniaxially or biaxially stretched polyethylene-based resin film.

[0048] A stretching direction, a stretching ratio, and the like of the stretched resin film are not particularly limited, and the film may be stretched in a machine direction (MD) or a transverse direction (TD). The stretching ratio is preferably within a range of two to ten in both the MD direction and the TD direction. The stretching ratio in the MD direction and the stretching ratio in the TD direction may be equal to or different from each other.

[0049] When two layers consisting of the intermediate resin film 42 and the outer resin film 43 are used as the base material 22, a biaxially stretched polyethylene-based resin film may be used for the intermediate resin film 42, and a uniaxially stretched polyethylene-based resin film may be used for the outer resin film 43. The sealant resin film 41 may be an unstretched polyethylene-based resin film.

[0050] The layers in the packaging material 23 such as the laminated film 40 may be laminated via adhesive layers 44 and 45 by dry lamination, sandwich lamination, or the like. A plurality of resin films may be laminated by co-extrusion, thermal lamination, extrusion lamination, or the like while omitting the adhesive layers 44 and 45. It is also possible for the same laminated film 40 to use both a lamination with the adhesive layers 44 and 45 interposed between the layers and a lamination without the adhesive layers 44 and 45 interposed between the layers.

[0051] When the adhesive layers 44 and 45 are formed using a dry lamination method, although there are no particular limitations, urethane-based compounds, epoxy-based compounds, isocyanate-based compounds, polyethyleneimine, organic titanium compounds such as titanium alkoxides, and the like may be used.

[0052] When the adhesive layers 44 and 45 are formed using an extruded resin, for example, a polyolefin-based resin such as a polyethylene-based resin and a polypropylene-based resin, or an adhesive resin such as a modified resin may be used.

[0053] Although not particularly illustrated, a printed layer, a vapor deposition layer, or the like may be formed on at least one surface of each resin film. The printed layer may be formed using a solvent-based ink, or may be formed without a solvent using a curable ink such as an electron beam-curable ink or ultraviolet-curable ink. The vapor deposition layer may be formed of a metal such as aluminum, or an inorganic compound such as silica or alumina. A metal foil may be laminated onto a resin film. In mono-material packaging, only a thin vapor deposition layer may be used without using a metal foil, or the vapor deposition layer may also be omitted.

[0054] From the viewpoint of interlayer adhesion, the sealant 21 and the base material 22, particularly the sealant resin film 41 and the intermediate resin film 42, may be laminated only via the adhesive layers 44 and 45 without forming a printed layer or a barrier layer. A printed layer or a barrier layer may be laminated inside the base material 22, for example, between the intermediate resin film 42 and the outer resin film 43.

[0055] A polyolefin-based resin used for the spout 10, the packaging material 23, the laminated film 40, and the like may be a homopolymer of a specific olefin, or a copolymer mainly composed of a specific olefin. In a polyethylene-based resin, ethylene serves as the specific olefin, and in a polypropylene-based resin, propylene serves as the specific olefin.

[0056] In the polyolefin-based polymer mainly composed of the specific olefin, a propart of the specific olefin in constituent monomers is preferably 50% by weight or more, and may be, for example, 80 to 100% by weight. In homopolymers, a propart of the specific olefin in constituent monomers is substantially about 100% by weight. In copolymers, monomers other than the specific olefin are copolymerized in an appropriate propart.

[0057] Examples of monomers used in the polyolefin-based polymers, without distinguishing between specific olefins and other monomers, include one or more of α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene, cyclic olefins such as norbornene, and vinyl-based monomers such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, and acrylic acid. These monomers may be derived from fossil resources such as petroleum or may be derived from biomass such as plants. At least a part of the monomers may be monomers obtained by recycling used resins.

[0058] The resin used for the spout 10 and / or the packaging bag 20 may contain other resins and / or additives within an appropriate range. Additives for the resin are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include antioxidants, lubricants, anti-blocking agents, flame retardants, ultraviolet absorbers, light stabilizers, antistatic agents, colorants, cross-linking agents, and the like.

[0059] A molded product (the spout 10 or resin film) mainly composed of a polyolefin-based resin may contain a resin other than the polyolefin-based resin in an appropriate propart. Also, a molded product (the spout 10 or resin film) mainly composed of a polyethylene-based resin may contain a resin other than the polyethylene-based resin in an appropriate propart.

[0060] When the spout 10 is mainly composed of a polyethylene-based resin, it is preferable that the packaging material 23 such as the laminated film 40 be also mainly composed of the polyethylene-based resin. A propart of the polyethylene-based resin contained in the spout 10 and / or the packaging bag 20 is preferably 50% by weight or more, and may be, for example, 80 to 100% by weight.

[0061] When the packaging bag 20 is formed of the packaging material 23 such as the laminated film 40 having two or more layers of resin films, the two or more layers of resin films may be formed of only a polyethylene-based resin.

[0062] In order for the spout 10 and / or the packaging bag 20 to be a mono-material container packaging formed of a specific resin, it is preferable that a total amount of the specific resin be 80% by weight or more and a total amount of materials other than the specific resin be 20% by weight or less with respect to the total weight of these, and it is more preferable that a total amount of the specific resin be 90% by weight or more and a total amount of materials other than the specific resin be 10% by weight or less. As the specific resin, for example, any one of a polyethylene-based resin, a polypropylene-based resin, and a polyolefin-based resin may be selected.

[0063] Specific examples of the packaging bag 20 are not limited, and include three-side sealed bags, four-side sealed bags, pillow bags, flat bags, gusset bags, standing pouches, and the like. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate specific examples of packaging containers 31 and 32 using the packaging bag 20 in a form of a standing pouch. In these figures, illustration of the ribs 14 of the attachment part 12 is omitted.

[0064] The packaging bag 20 used for the packaging containers 31 and 32 is formed by sandwiching a bottom member 26 between a pair of packaging materials 23 that form a body member 24. The bottom member 26 is folded in half and disposed at a lower part of the body member 24. Above the bottom member 26, body seal parts 25 are formed on the left and right sides to join the front and rear body members 24 together. The bottom member 26 is joined to the body member 24 by a bottom seal part 27. When the bottom member 26 is unfolded, the packaging bag 20 can be made to stand on its own.

[0065] In the packaging container 31 of a first example illustrated in FIG. 4, the spout 10 is adhered upward at a center part of an upper seal part 28, and the inside of the packaging bag 20 is sealed. In a case of the packaging container 32 of a second example illustrated in FIG. 5, an opening 29 is formed at an upper part of the body member 24, adjacent to one of the body seal parts 25. A part of the upper seal part 28 is formed obliquely, and the spout 10 is adhered obliquely. After the contents are filled into the packaging bag 20 through the opening 29, the packaging bag 20 can be sealed by joining an unsealed part of the opening 29.

[0066] An attachment orientation of the spout 10 with respect to the vertical direction of the packaging bag 20 is not particularly limited, and can be selected from any suitable orientation such as upward, obliquely upward, horizontal, or downward. Two or more spouts 10 may be attached to the same packaging bag 20.

[0067] Dimensions of the packaging bag 20 are not particularly limited, and for example, in an application of a refill container, a height in the vertical direction may be about 100 to 500 mm, a width in the left-right direction may be about 70 to 300 mm, and a filling volume may be about 100 cm 3< to 5000 cm 3< .

[0068] A state of the contents housed in the packaging bag 20 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fluids such as liquids, powders, and granules, or solids such as articles. Types of the contents are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include detergents, medicines, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, beverages, seasonings, inks, paints, fuels, and the like.

[0069] While the present invention has been described above on the basis of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Modifications include additions, substitutions, omissions, and other changes of constituent elements.

[0070] A method of recycling the spout 10 or the packaging bag 20 of the embodiment after use is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to a state or the like at the time of collection. According to the embodiment, since a propart of the polyolefin-based resin can be increased, both chemical recycling and mechanical recycling are possible. Through recycling, it can also be recycled into products of the same type such as the spout 10 or the packaging bag 20. Materials obtained by recycling may be utilized in products such as paints, molded products, and hydrocarbon oils.EXAMPLES

[0071] Hereinafter, description will be made more specifically with examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0072] Using a polyethylene-based resin, spouts of comparative examples 1 to 4 and examples 1 and 2 were produced as shown in Table 1 by varying the number of ribs, widths of the ribs, and presence or absence of a satin finish. In an example with four ribs, a sum of a width of one rib and a width of one gap part was 2.8 mm when a width of the rib was 0.7 mm, 3.0 mm when a width of the rib was 1.0 mm, and 3.3 mm when a width of the rib was 1.4 mm. Also, in the example with three ribs, a sum of a width of one rib and a width of one gap part was 4.3 mm (width of the rib:1.4 mm). A shape of the attachment part was a boat shape in a plan view, a dimension of the attachment part in the longitudinal direction was 35 mm, a maximum thickness in a width direction of the attachment part in a plan view was 18 mm, and a height of the side surface of the attachment part was 10 mm.

[0073] After the spout was formed, an outer circumferential surface of the attachment part to be sealed with the packaging bag was inspected for a presence of sink marks. Formability of the spout was evaluated as good (∘) when there was no sink marks, and as poor (×) when sink marks were present.

[0074] As the packaging material used for producing the packaging bag, a laminated film having a three-layer structure of 25 µm uniaxially stretched polyethylene / 25 µm biaxially stretched polyethylene / 150 µm sealant polyethylene laminated by dry lamination was used. In an evaluation of sealing properties, the laminated film was overlapped on the outer circumferential surface of the spout and sealed for 0.5 seconds using a mold at a predetermined temperature (135°C or 140°C), after which an appearance of the seal part was inspected and a seal strength was measured.

[0075] The appearance of the seal part was evaluated as good (∘) when there were no holes in the laminated film at the seal part, and as poor (×) when holes were ascertained.

[0076] The seal strength was evaluated as good (∘) if the laminated film did not peel off at an interface with the spout and did not break between a seal part and an unsealed part even when a tensile force within a practical range was applied, and as poor (×) if the strength was insufficient due to peeling or breaking.

[0077] Stability was evaluated as good (∘) if there was no difference in the evaluation results between sealing temperatures of 135°C and 140°C, and as poor (×) if the evaluation results of appearance or strength differed depending on the sealing temperature. The above results are summarized and shown in Table 1. TABLE 1RibSatin finishFormabilitySealing propertiesNumber (pcs)Width (mm)135°C140°CStabilityAppearanceStrengthAppearanceStrengthComparative example 1None-Not applied×○×○×○Comparative example 240.7Not applied○××××○Comparative example 340.7Applied○××××○Comparative example 431.4Not applied○○×○○×Example 141.0Applied○○○○○○Example 241.4Applied○○○○○○

[0078] As shown in Table 1, the spouts of examples 1 and 2 were excellent in both formability and sealing properties. The spout of comparative example 1, which had no ribs, was inferior in formability and strength. The spouts of comparative examples 2 and 3, in which the ribs had small widths, exhibited poor appearance and strength in sealing properties.

[0079] The spout of comparative example 4, which had three ribs, showed a decrease in the seal strength with only a slight reduction in sealing temperature. Therefore, if the seal strength of the ribs at both the upper and lower ends becomes unstable depending on the sealing temperature, it is necessary to maintain the strength using only one intermediate rib, which poses a problem in stability when production is repeated a large number of times.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST10Spout11Pouring part11aTip part12Attachment part12aBase part12bBoundary part13Outer peripheral part14Rib14aSurface of rib15Gap part16Protruding part17Flange part18Male thread part20Packaging bag20aEnd edge part20bInternal space21Sealant22Base material23Packaging material24Body member25Body seal part26Bottom member27Bottom seal part28Upper seal part29Opening31, 32Packaging container40Laminated film41Sealant resin film42Intermediate resin film43Outer resin film44, 45Adhesive layer

Claims

1. A spout, which is a spout to be welded to a packaging bag, comprising: an attachment part to be welded to the packaging bag; and a pouring part protruding from the attachment part to outside of the packaging bag, wherein an outer peripheral part of the attachment part to be welded to the packaging bag has four or more ribs, each having a width of 1 mm or more, which are parallel to each other in a direction in which the pouring part protrudes from the attachment part.

2. The spout according to claim 1, wherein surfaces of the ribs facing the packaging bag have a satin finish applied thereto.

3. The spout according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer peripheral part of the attachment part is formed of a polyethylene-based resin.

4. The spout according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the packaging bag is formed of a laminated film having two or more layers of resin films, and the two or more layers of resin films are formed only of a polyethylene-based resin.

5. A packaging container comprising a packaging bag to which the spout according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is welded.

6. The packaging container according to claim 5, wherein the packaging bag is formed of a laminated film having two or more layers of resin films, and the two or more layers of resin films are formed only of a polyethylene-based resin.

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