Packaging container and manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a packaging container which can be deformed into a shape suitable for eating by unfolding and can secure a large volume when filled and when deformed.SOLUTION: There is provided a packaging container 1 formed by joining a first member 10 configured to be able to form a cut extending in one direction and a second member 20 that is softer than the first member in a stacked state, in which the second member is joined to the first member with both ends in a direction intersecting the one direction being folded back. The packaging container 1 is configured so that it can be deformed into a form having an opening at a top with the first member acting as a peripheral wall by unfolding the first member in which a slit is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container, more particularly to a packaging container that can be used as a container by opening and unfolding it. A method for manufacturing the packaging container is also described. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of packaging containers for storing food, attempts have been made to reduce the trouble of washing dishes by allowing the food to be eaten without transferring it to dishes, for example by using self-supporting pouches and the like. However, in the case of pouches and the like, if too much content is put inside, the content is likely to spill out when opened, so if the above-mentioned uses are intended, the filling rate must be kept low, which can increase distribution costs.

[0003] In relation to such problems, Patent Document 1 describes a packaging container configured by joining a flexible portion and a rigid portion. This packaging container can be opened by cutting the rigid portion and unfolded to deform into a shape with the rigid portion as a peripheral wall and an opening at the top. The packaging container described in Patent Document 1 has an advantage in that there is little need to suppress the filling rate because the shape changes significantly before and after deployment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 077194 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors found that there was room for improvement in terms of increasing the capacity of the packaging container according to Patent Document 1, and completed the present invention.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging container that can be deformed into a shape suitable for consumption by unfolding and that can ensure a large volume when filled and when deformed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a packaging container formed by joining a first member configured to be capable of forming a cut extending in one direction and a second member that is softer than the first member in an overlapping state. The second member is joined to the first member with both ends in a direction intersecting one direction folded back, and is configured so that by unfolding the first member in which a notch is formed, it can be deformed into a form having an opening at the top with the first member as a peripheral wall.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing the packaging container according to the first aspect. In one example of this manufacturing method, with a heat insulating material sandwiched between the remaining portion of the second member and the first member, both folded ends of the second member are joined to the first member by thermal fusion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The packaging container according to the present invention can be deformed into a shape suitable for consumption by unfolding, and can ensure a large volume when deformed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a packaging container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the packaging container in an unfolded form. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a packaging container according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a packaging container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A partial schematic cross-sectional view showing a packaging container according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a packaging container 1 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the packaging container 1. The packaging container 1 is formed by joining a sheet-like first member 10 and a sheet-like second member 20.

[0012] The first member 10 has a quadrangular shape in a plan view, and has higher rigidity than the second member 20. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1. The first member 10 of this embodiment has three layers: a first base material layer 11, a first heat seal layer 12 provided on a first surface 11a of the first base material layer 11, and a second heat seal layer 13 provided on a second surface 11b of the first base material layer 11 opposite to the first surface 11a. Examples of materials for the first base material layer 11 include synthetic resin and paper, but using paper or plastic containing paper powder is preferable because it reduces the amount of plastic used in the packaging container 1 and reduces the environmental load. When paper is used, its basis weight can be about 50 g to 250 g. The shape of the first member in a plan view does not necessarily have to be a geometric rectangle. For example, there is no problem if the corners are rounded or the parts corresponding to the four sides are not perfectly straight.

[0013] The first member 10 is not limited to a three-layer structure. For example, by providing an oil-resistant layer, a water-resistant layer, or a barrier layer having a barrier property against water vapor, oxygen, etc. between the first base layer 11 and the first heat seal layer 12, the preservability of the contained contents can be improved.

[0014] An opening tape 30 is attached to the first heat seal layer 12 of the first member 10. That is, the tape 30 is provided on the first surface 11a side, which is the inner surface side of the packaging container 1. The tape 30 extends generally parallel to one side of the first member 10 in a plan view, and is disposed so as to cover the entire first member 10 in the extending direction. In this embodiment, in a plan view of the packaging container 1, one end of the tape 30 protrudes from the first member 10 as shown in FIG. 1, making it easy to grasp. In the following description, the direction in which the tape 30 extends (D1 shown in Figure 1) may be referred to as the vertical direction of the packaging container 1, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and along the surface of the first member 10 (D2 shown in Figure 1) may be referred to as the left-right direction of the packaging container 1.

[0015] The second member 20 is a member made of synthetic resin and having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is configured to be more flexible than the first member 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the second member 20 has two layers, a second base material layer 21 and a heat seal layer 22 provided on the second base material layer 21. Examples of materials for the second base material layer 21 include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (Ny), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.

[0016] The heat seal layer 22 can be joined to the first heat seal layer 12 and the second heat seal layer 13 by thermal fusion. In one example, the first heat seal layer, the second heat seal layer 13, and the heat seal layer 22 are formed of the same resin material. Specific examples of the material include various PEs including low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), PP, etc.

[0017] The second member 20 is not limited to a two-layer structure. For example, the preservation quality of the contents can be improved by providing the above-mentioned barrier layer between the second base layer 21 and the heat seal layer 22. Alternatively, at least one of the layers constituting the second member 20 may be formed of a material having a barrier property against water vapor, oxygen, and the like.

[0018] The first member 10 and the second member 20 have approximately the same dimensions in the up-down direction, while the second member 20 is longer in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the second member 20 is positioned opposite the first member 10 with the tape 30 sandwiched between them, with the heat seal layer 22 facing the first member 10 side.

[0019] At both ends in the up-down direction of the first member 10 and the second member 20, the first heat seal layer 12 and the heat seal layer 22 are joined by heat fusion along the periphery. Furthermore, at both ends in the left-right direction, the end of the second member is folded back toward the first member 10, and the second heat seal layer 13 and the heat seal layer 22 are joined by heat fusion along the periphery. In this way, the packaging container 1 with its internal space sealed is completed.

[0020] When food or other contents are to be placed inside the packaging container 1, a portion of the peripheral portion (for example, one of the upper and lower ends) is left unjoined, and the contents are filled into the packaging container through the unjoined portion at the factory or in the store, and then the unjoined portion is sealed by heat sealing to create a package in which the contents are hermetically contained inside the packaging container 1. That is, the packaging container 1 according to this embodiment may be distributed with part of the peripheral edge portion unbonded.

[0021] The operation of the packaging container 1 during use will now be described. When opening the packaging container, the user grasps the protruding end of the tape 30 and pulls it toward the first member. The tape 30 then tears the first member 10 and separates from the second member 20, forming a cut extending in the vertical direction in the center of the first member 10. As a result, the first member 10 is divided into two regions that are arranged on either side of the formed cut.

[0022] When the packaging container is placed on a mounting surface such as a table with the slit facing up and the two areas of the first member 10 are unfolded so that they stand up from the mounting surface, the two areas are separated at the middle of the slit as shown in Fig. 4. As a result, the packaging container 1 changes into a shape having a large opening at the top with the two areas of the first member 10 as peripheral walls (hereinafter referred to as the "unfolded shape"). When the contents are food, a user can use the packaging container 1 in the unfolded state as tableware to eat the contents.

[0023] In the left-right direction of the packaging container 1 according to this embodiment, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are joined on the second surface 11b side of the first member. Therefore, as the contents are filled, the second member 20 can move away from the first member 10 over the entire left-right direction. The inventors have found that this allows a significant increase in capacity despite the same planar dimensions, compared to a configuration in which a first member and a second member of the same shape and size are stacked and joined at their peripheries in a planar view. This will be described in detail later using experimental examples. Furthermore, in the left-right cross section in the unfolded form, the second member 20 located on the first surface 11a side does not follow the first member standing as a peripheral wall, and the entire range is maintained in a state parallel to the installation surface. As a result, the volume in the unfolded form is increased compared to a configuration in which the first member and the second member of the same shape and size are overlapped and joined at the periphery in a plan view.

[0024] The packaging container 1 according to this embodiment is easy to keep flat even when filled with contents before unfolding, and has good transport efficiency. On the other hand, since a large opening is formed at the top when unfolded, the contents are unlikely to spill out when opened or unfolded, even if the filling rate is increased.

[0025] The packaging container according to this embodiment is not limited to a configuration in which the left and right ends of the second member are joined to the second surface side. 5 includes a second member 20A instead of the second member 20. The second member 20A has a heat seal layer 23 in addition to the heat seal layer 22, and the heat seal layers are provided on both sides of the second base layer 21. The heat seal layers 23 at the left and right ends of the second member 20A folded back toward the first member 10 are joined to the first heat seal layer 12 on the first surface 11a side of the first member 10. Even with this configuration, in a cross section of the packaging container in the left-right direction, the second member located between the peripheral walls has a shape that conforms to the installation surface over almost the entire range, thereby achieving the same capacity increase effect as the packaging container 1 described above. In the packaging container 1A, since the first member and the second member are not joined on the second surface side, the second heat seal layer may be omitted in the first member.

[0026] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In the following description, configurations common to those already described will be given the same reference numerals and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packaging container 2 according to this embodiment, and shows a cross section in the left-right direction corresponding to II in FIG. 1, similar to FIG. The packaging container 2 includes a first member 10A instead of the first member 10 and a second member 20B instead of the second member 20, in comparison with the packaging container 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0028] The first member 10A is composed of only the first base material layer 11 and does not have a heat seal layer. If necessary, the first base material layer 11 may be subjected to an appropriately selected coating or the like for the purpose of increasing the water resistance or protecting the formed print.

[0029] The second member 20B has a second base material layer 21 and a heat seal layer 22, like the second member 20 of the first embodiment, but differs from the second member 20 in that the opening tape 30 attached to the first member 10 is attached to the heat seal layer 22. The vertical dimension of the second member 20B according to this embodiment is approximately the same as that of the first member 10A, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the horizontal dimension is slightly longer than twice that of the first member 10A. In this embodiment, the tape 30 is attached to the center of the second member 20B in the horizontal direction so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0030] 6, the second member 20B is arranged such that the tape 30 has a substantially similar positional relationship to that of the first embodiment in plan view with the second base layer 21 facing the first member 10A. In addition, the heat seal layers 22 are joined by thermal fusion at the vertical end and the left-right end where the ends protruding in the left-right direction are folded back to the side opposite the first member 10A. As a result, the second member 20B has a structure similar to that of a bag formed by a known pillow type bag making method (hereinafter, referred to as a "pillow bag").

[0031] Of the pillow bag-shaped second member 20B, the surface facing the first member 10A is joined to the first member 10A with the adhesive 40. In this embodiment, a total of four constant width regions, including both left and right end portions of the first member and two locations near the center that sandwich the tape 30 in a plan view, are joined generally in the up and down direction with the adhesive 40. This is one example, and for example, all portions except for the portion overlapping with the tape 30 in a plan view may be joined with the adhesive 40.

[0032] When opening the packaging container 2 according to this embodiment, the user can tear the joined second and first members by pulling the tape 30 toward the first member, as in the first embodiment, to form a slit and transform the container into the unfolded form. The area of ​​the second member 20B farther from the first member does not follow the rising peripheral wall, so that the entire area is kept parallel to the installation surface. As a result, the capacity is increased, as in the first embodiment and its modified examples.

[0033] In this embodiment, as in the modified example shown in Fig. 7, the left and right ends of the second member 20B may be folded back multiple times to provide a gusset portion 41 in the bag-like structure formed by the second member 20B. In this case, the capacity of the bag-like structure increases, allowing more contents to be filled into the packaging container. The gusset portion may be provided in the first embodiment or its modified examples.

[0034] The packaging container according to the present invention will be further described using experimental examples. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited in any way by the specific contents of the experimental examples.

[0035] A laminate was prepared in which a PET layer having a thickness of 12 μm was formed on one side of a piece of craft paper (basis weight 120 g) as the first base layer of the first member. In each example, the first member had a rectangular shape with planar dimensions of 170 mm in the vertical direction and 130 mm in the horizontal direction.

[0036] (Experimental Example 1) A heat seal layer made of LLDPE and having a thickness of 30 μm was formed on the PET layer of the first base material layer to form a first member. The second member used was a polyamide layer (second base layer) having a thickness of 15 μm, on one surface of which was provided a heat seal layer having a thickness of 30 μm and made of LLDPE. A tape having the following layer structure was attached to the center in the left-right direction on the heat seal layer of the first member. The numerical values ​​indicate the thickness of the layers. LLDPE30 / PET12 / PET12 / Easy peel layer 30 The LLDPE layer of the tape and the heat seal layer of the first component were joined by heat fusion.

[0037] The second member was overlapped with the first member with the same planar dimensions, and the three peripheral edges in planar view were joined with a width of 5 mm. As a result, a packaging container according to Experimental Example 1 was obtained in which only the peripheral edge on the top and bottom ends, from which the tape did not protrude, was opened.

[0038] (Experimental Example 2) A 30 μm-thick heat seal layer made of LLDPE was formed on both sides of the first base layer to form a first member, and tape was attached to the heat seal layer on the PET layer. The second member was the same as in Experimental Example 1, but its dimension in the left-right direction in plan view was 140 mm, which was 10 mm longer than in Experimental Example 1. The first and second members were overlapped so that the second member protruded 5 mm in each of the left and right directions, and the protruding ends were folded back onto the first member and joined to the first member by heat fusion. At this time, a heat insulating material was sandwiched between the remaining part of the second member that was not folded back and located below the first member and the first member, so that the lower side would not be joined by the heat during heat fusion. One end in the vertical direction was joined in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1. In this manner, a packaging container was obtained according to Experimental Example 2. The packaging container according to Experimental Example 2 has a structure corresponding to the packaging container 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] (Experimental Example 3) The first member used was the same as that used in Experimental Example 1. The second member used was a 15 μm-thick polyamide layer (second base layer) with 30 μm-thick heat seal layers made of LLDPE provided on both sides. The planar dimensions were the same as in Experimental Example 2. The first and second members were overlapped with the left and right ends of the second member folded back by 5 mm each, and the folded back parts were joined to the first member by thermal fusion. At this time, a heat insulating material was sandwiched between the folded back parts and the remaining parts, and the second members were processed so that they would not be joined to each other. One of the ends in the top and bottom directions was joined in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1. In this manner, a packaging container was obtained according to Experimental Example 3. The packaging container according to Experimental Example 3 has a structure corresponding to the packaging container 1A according to the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0040] (Experimental Example 4) As the first member, only kraft paper (basis weight 120 g) was used. The second member was the same as in Experimental Example 1, but its dimension in the left-right direction in plan view was 270 mm, which was 140 mm longer than in Experimental Example 1. A tape was attached onto the heat seal layer at the center in the left-right direction of this second member. Both left and right sides of the second member were folded back by 70 mm each towards the heat seal layer, and the folded back parts were joined together by heat fusion over a width of 5 mm. Furthermore, one end in the top and bottom direction was joined by heat fusion to form a bag-like structure. The first member was attached to the side of the bag-shaped structure to which the tape was attached using an adhesive. The adhesive was applied in the vertical direction to a total of four locations, including both left and right ends of the first member and both sides of the tape in a plan view. In this manner, a packaging container was obtained according to Experimental Example 4. The packaging container according to Experimental Example 4 has a structure corresponding to the packaging container 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0041] (Experimental Example 5) The first member used was the same as that used in Experimental Example 4. The second member was the same as in Experimental Example 1, but its dimension in the left-right direction in plan view was 270 mm, which was 160 mm longer than in Experimental Example 1. Thereafter, a packaging container according to Experimental Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Experimental Example 4, except that a gusset portion having a width of 5 mm was provided on the left and right sides when both left and right sides of the second member were folded back by 70 mm toward the heat seal layer side. The packaging container according to Experimental Example 5 has a structure in which a gusset portion is provided in the packaging container 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0042] The packaging container of each example was filled with water from the open end, and then a 5 mm wide joint was made with a heat sealer to produce a package according to each example. The amount of water filled was approximately the upper limit that would allow a 5 mm wide joint to be made. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0043] [Table 1]

[0044] The filling volume of the packaging container according to Experimental Example 1 was 140 ml, while a filling volume of 2.5 times or more was achieved in each of Experimental Examples 2 to 5. Considering that the planar dimensions before filling of the packaging containers according to Experimental Examples 1 to 5 are all the same, it can be said that the capacity increasing effect of the structure according to the present invention is extremely excellent. Furthermore, after filling and sealing, the packaging body of Experimental Example 1 had a portion of the first component warped and was unable to maintain an overall flat state, whereas the packaging bags of Experimental Examples 2 to 5 all maintained a generally flat state and had good appearance and displayability.

[0045] Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to experimental examples, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and configuration changes and combinations within the scope of the present invention are also included. Some modifications are exemplified below, but these are not all inclusive, and other modifications are also possible. Two or more of these modifications may be appropriately combined.

[0046] The first member and the second member do not need to have exactly the same dimensions in the vertical direction. For example, the first member may be slightly larger than the second member.

[0047] In the packaging container of the present embodiment, the configuration for enabling opening is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the first member may be perforated so that a part of the first member can be removed without using the tape 30. The specific structure that enables the packaging container to be opened can be appropriately determined based on the airtightness, watertightness, and the like that are set according to the contents to be contained.

[0048] When the packaging container is unfolded, the first member 10 folds at the middle of the slit as shown in Fig. 4. To assist this folding action, a crease parallel to the crease to be formed may be provided by embossing, laser processing, etc. One crease may be provided along the expected position where the crease is expected to be formed, or two or more creases may be provided on either side of the expected position.

[0049] There is no particular limit to the contents contained in the packaging container, and it can be used to store a wide variety of items, not just food. There is no particular limit to the form of the contents, and by appropriately changing the configuration of the first member, it can accommodate any form of contents, including powders, granules, liquids, gels, etc.

[0050] The packaging container according to the present invention may be distributed without any contents. By distributing it in such a form, it can be used as a container for eating and drinking outdoors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1, 1A, 2 Packaging container 10, 10A First member 11a Front page 11b Second side 20, 20A, 20B Second member 30 Tape 41 Gazette Department

Claims

1. A packaging container formed by joining a first member configured to be able to form a cut extending in one direction and a second member which is softer than the first member in an overlapping state, the second member is joined to the first member in a state where both ends in a direction intersecting the one direction are folded back, The first member having the cut formed therein is configured to be deformed into a shape having an opening at an upper portion with the first member as a peripheral wall by expanding the first member having the cut formed therein. packaging container.

2. In the first member, a tape for forming the cut is attached to a first surface which becomes an inner surface side of the packaging container, The folded ends of the second member are joined to a second surface of the first member opposite to the first surface. The packaging container according to claim 1.

3. In the first member, a tape for forming the cut is attached to a first surface which becomes an inner surface side of the packaging container, The folded ends of the second member are joined to the first surface of the first member. The packaging container according to claim 1.

4. a tape for forming the incision is attached to a middle portion of the second member in a direction intersecting the one direction; The second member is formed into a pillow bag shape by joining the folded ends together, The second member and the first member can be torn apart by pulling the tape. The packaging container according to claim 1.

5. The second member has gusset portions on both sides in a direction intersecting the one direction. The packaging container according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. A method for producing the packaging container according to claim 2, comprising the steps of: The folded ends of the second member are joined to the first member by thermal fusion in a state in which a heat insulating material is sandwiched between the remaining portion of the second member and the first member. A method for manufacturing packaging containers.

7. A method for producing the packaging container according to claim 3, comprising the steps of: The folded ends of the second member are joined to the first member by thermal fusion in a state in which a heat insulating material is sandwiched between the folded ends of the second member and a remaining portion of the second member. A method for manufacturing packaging containers.

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