Packing material, method for manufacturing the same, and method for producing beverage

Abstract

To provide a packing material capable of storing a packing member having a part in which a plurality of sheet materials are stacked and suppressing rattling of the packing member.SOLUTION: A packing material 1 has: an internal space 6 for storing a packing member 10 packing a plurality of beverage containers in a state where a sheet material 11 is folded; and an inner surface 30 with which the packing member 10 comes into contact. The packing member 10 has a stack part 21 in which the plurality of sheet materials 11 are stacked, and a non-stack part 22 in which the plurality of sheet materials 11 are not stacked, in a state where the plurality of beverage containers are packed. The inner surface 30 has a first part 34 with which the non-stack part 22 comes into contact in the internal space 6, and a second part 35 with which the stack part 21 comes into contact in the internal space 6. The second part 35 protrudes more outside the internal space 6 than the first part 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging material that houses a packaging member for packaging a beverage container, a method for manufacturing the packaging material, and a method for manufacturing a beverage. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a packaging box that houses a multi-pack, which is a packaging container that assembles multiple canned products. When unfolded, the packaging box has a band-shaped body formed by a first side panel, a bottom panel, a second side panel, and a top panel connected in this order. In the unfolded view, outer flaps are formed on the top and bottom of the top and bottom panels, respectively. Also, in the unfolded view, inner flaps are formed on the top and bottom of each side panel, respectively.

[0003] In the developed view, an adhesive strip is provided on the end of the first side panel opposite the bottom panel. The packaging box is formed by folding the above-mentioned band-shaped body portion along the fold lines. In addition, in this packaging box, slits are formed near the fold lines of each flap. These slits allow the vicinity of the fold lines of each flap to be partially pressed outward. As a result, the multi-pack can be easily removed from the packaging box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-238034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned packaging material accommodates packaging elements such as multi-packs that package multiple beverage containers. Packaging elements that include sheet material and that package beverage containers in a folded state are known. The packaging element may have a portion where the sheet material does not overlap and a portion where multiple sheets of sheet material overlap. When such packaging elements are accommodated in the packaging material, gaps may form between the portion where the sheet material does not overlap and the inner surface of the packaging material, which may cause the packaging element to rattle inside the packaging material and result in damage to the packaging element. One approach to preventing the packaging element from rattling is to narrow the internal space of the packaging material. However, narrowing the internal space of the packaging material may result in a problem in which the portion where multiple sheets of sheet material overlap cannot be accommodated in the packaging material.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a packaging material that can accommodate a packaging member having a portion where multiple sheet materials overlap, and that can suppress rattling of the packaging member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The packaging material according to the present disclosure has an internal space in which a packaging member that packages multiple beverage containers in a folded state of sheet material is accommodated, and an internal surface with which the packaging member comes into contact. The packaging member has overlapping portions where the multiple sheets of material overlap when packaging multiple beverage containers, and non-overlapping portions where the multiple sheets of material do not overlap. The internal surface has a first portion where the non-overlapping portions come into contact in the internal space, and a second portion where the overlapping portions come into contact in the internal space. The second portion protrudes further outward from the internal space than the first portion.

[0008] This packaging material has an internal space, and packaging members that package multiple beverage containers are housed in the internal space. The packaging members have overlapping portions where the sheet materials overlap and non-overlapping portions where the sheet materials do not overlap. The packaging material has an inner surface, and the packaging members contact the inner surface. This inner surface has a first portion and a second portion. The non-overlapping portions of the packaging members contact the first portion, and the overlapping portions of the packaging members contact the second portion. This second portion protrudes outward from the internal space beyond the first portion. The non-overlapping portions of the packaging members contact the first portion of the inner surface, and the overlapping portions of the packaging members contact the second portion that protrudes outward from the internal space beyond the first portion. Thus, packaging members having overlapping portions where multiple sheet materials overlap can be housed inside the packaging material. Furthermore, since the non-overlapping portions and overlapping portions of the packaging containers can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the packaging material, it is possible to prevent gaps from occurring between the packaging containers and the inner surface. Therefore, the packaging member can be prevented from rattling inside the packaging material.

[0009] (2) In the above (1), the overlapping portion may include a two-layer overlapping portion where two sheet materials overlap, and a three-layer overlapping portion where three sheet materials overlap. The second portion may include a first contact portion where the two-layer overlapping portions contact, and a second contact portion where the three-layer overlapping portions contact. The second contact portion may protrude further outward into the internal space than the first contact portion. In this case, the packaging member has a two-layer overlapping portion where two sheet materials overlap, and a three-layer overlapping portion where three sheet materials overlap. The second contact portion where the three-layer overlapping portions contact protrudes further outward into the internal space than the first contact portion where the two-layer overlapping portions contact. Therefore, a packaging member having a three-layer overlapping portion where three sheet materials overlap can be contained inside the packaging material.

[0010] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the packaging material may have a top surface facing vertically upward, side surfaces extending downward from the outer edge of the top surface, and a bottom surface extending along the top surface at the lower end of the side surfaces. The inner surface may be formed inside the side surfaces. The packaging material may have an inclined surface extending in a direction inclined relative to the top surface, side surfaces, and bottom surface at at least one of the boundaries between the top surface and the side surfaces and the boundaries between the side surfaces and the bottom surface. In this case, the inclined surface formed at at least one of the boundaries between the top surface and the side surfaces and the boundaries between the side surfaces and the bottom surface makes it easier to lift the packaging material by placing a finger on the inclined surface. Furthermore, when an inclined surface is present, the side surfaces of the packaging material protrude outward compared to when there is no inclined surface. This allows the interior space of the packaging material to be wider, making it easier to insert a packaging member having a portion where multiple sheet materials overlap into the interior space.

[0011] (4) A method for manufacturing a packaging material according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a packaging material having an internal space in which a packaging member that packages multiple beverage containers in a folded state of sheet material is accommodated, and an internal surface with which the packaging member comes into contact. The packaging member has overlapping portions where the multiple sheets of material overlap when packaging multiple beverage containers, and non-overlapping portions where the multiple sheets of material do not overlap. The internal surface has a first portion where the non-overlapping portions come into contact in the internal space, and a second portion where the overlapping portions come into contact in the internal space. The method for manufacturing the packaging material includes a step of forming the internal surface so that the second portion protrudes outward from the internal space more than the first portion.

[0012] In this manufacturing method for a packaging material, a packaging member is accommodated in the internal space of the packaging material. The packaging member has an overlapping portion where the sheet materials overlap and a non-overlapping portion where the sheet materials do not overlap. The inner surface of the packaging material has a first portion and a second portion. The non-overlapping portion of the packaging member contacts the first portion of the inner surface, and the overlapping portion of the packaging member contacts the second portion that protrudes further outward into the internal space than the first portion. Therefore, in this manufacturing method for a packaging material, like the packaging material described above, a packaging member having an overlapping portion where multiple sheet materials overlap can be accommodated inside the packaging material, and rattle of the packaging member can be prevented inside the packaging material.

[0013] (5) In the above (4), the packaging material may have a top surface portion facing the top of the packaging member and a side surface portion facing the side of the packaging member. In the step of forming the inner surface, the second portion of the side surface portion may be crushed so that the thickness of the second portion of the side surface portion is thinner than the thickness of the first portion of the side surface portion. In this case, the crushing process can make the thickness of the second portion of the side surface portion thinner than the thickness of the first portion of the side surface portion, so that the second portion can be easily formed by crushing the inner surface of the side surface portion.

[0014] (6) A beverage manufacturing method according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a beverage contained in a beverage container. The beverage manufacturing method includes the steps of filling a beverage container with the beverage, packaging multiple beverage containers in the packaging member by folding the sheet material of the packaging member, and housing the packaging member in the packaging material. When the packaging member is used to package multiple beverage containers, the packaging member has an overlapping portion where the multiple sheets of sheet material overlap, and a non-overlapping portion where the multiple sheets of sheet material do not overlap. The inner surface of the packaging material has a first portion and a second portion that protrudes further outward from the first portion into the internal space of the packaging material. In the housing step, the non-overlapping portion contacts the first portion, and the overlapping portion contacts the second portion.

[0015] In this beverage manufacturing method, a packaging material is prepared in which a second portion of the inner surface protrudes further outward from the internal space than the first portion. The non-overlapping portion of the packaging container contacts the first portion of the inner surface of the packaging material, and the overlapping portion of the packaging container contacts the second portion of the inner surface. Thus, in this beverage manufacturing method, as with the packaging material and packaging material manufacturing method described above, a packaging member having an overlapping portion, where multiple sheet materials overlap, can be stored inside the packaging material, and rattle of the packaging member inside the packaging material can be prevented. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to store a packaging member having a portion where a plurality of sheet materials overlap, and to prevent the packaging member from rattling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a packaging material according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packaging member and a plurality of beverage containers housed in a packaging material according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of packaging members are housed in the internal space of the packaging material according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of beverage containers are housed in the internal space of the packaging material according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a gusset portion of a packaging member according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gusset portion of the packaging member according to the embodiment, seen from a direction different from that of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a development view of the packaging material according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the packaging member and the inner surface of the packaging material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the packaging material, the manufacturing method of the packaging material, and the manufacturing method of the beverage according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, etc. are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0019] The packaging material according to the present disclosure accommodates packaging containers. The packaging material accommodates packaging members that package multiple beverage containers. "Packaging" refers to covering at least a portion of multiple beverage containers to hold the multiple beverage containers. The packaging is sometimes referred to as packaging. "Packaging member" refers to a packaging material that packages multiple beverage containers. In the following, an example will be described in which the packaging member is a multi-pack that holds multiple beverage cans.

[0020] A "drink container" is a container in which a drink is stored. For example, a drink container is a drink can, a bottle, or a plastic bottle. In the following, an example in which the drink container is a drink can is described. A "drink can" is a cylindrical or box-shaped container made of metal. A drink can may be, for example, a short can, a long can, a demitasse can, a bottle can, a barrel can, or a waist wave can.

[0021] The beverage can may be, for example, any of 135 ml cans, 250 ml cans, 335 ml cans, 350 ml cans, 355 ml cans, 500 ml cans, 700 ml cans, 750 ml cans, 1000 ml cans, 2000 ml cans, and 3000 ml cans. Thus, the type, shape, and size of the beverage can are not particularly limited.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of packaging material 1 according to this embodiment. Packaging material 1 is made of, for example, cardboard. As an example, the cardboard making up packaging material 1 is B-flute. However, the type of cardboard making up packaging material 1 may also be, for example, A-flute, and is not particularly limited. Packaging material 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0023] The packaging material 1 has a top surface 2 facing vertically upward, side surfaces 3 extending downward from the outer edges of the top surface 2, and a bottom surface 4 extending along the top surface 2 at the lower end of the side surfaces 3. The top surface 2 extends in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. For example, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 1, and the second direction D2 is the lateral direction of the packaging material 1. For example, the side surface 3 includes a first side surface 3A extending downward from the end of the top surface 2 in the second direction D2, and a second side surface 3B extending downward from the end of the top surface 2 in the first direction D1.

[0024] The packaging material 1 has multiple long sides 1b extending in a first direction D1, multiple first short sides 1c extending in a second direction D2, and multiple second short sides 1d extending in a third direction D3 that intersects both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The top surface 2 is defined by two long sides 1b and two first short sides 1c. For example, the top surface 2 has a flat surface that faces vertically upward.

[0025] The first side surface portion 3A is defined by two long sides 1b and two second short sides 1d. The first side surface portion 3A has, for example, a flat surface facing the second direction D2. As an example, the first side surface portion 3A has a cutting line 3b extending in the first direction D1. The cutting line 3b is formed as a perforation that can be cut off by hand.

[0026] For example, the perforation lines 3b may include a first perforation line 3c extending from one end to the other in the first direction D1 of the side surface portion 3A, and a second perforation line 3d that is H-shaped in a region including the center of the first side surface portion 3A in the first direction D1. In this case, it is possible to separate the packaging material 1 into upper and lower parts by inserting a finger into the center of the second perforation line 3d and breaking the first perforation line 3c from the second perforation line 3d to both sides in the first direction D1. While examples of the perforation lines 3b have been described above, the configuration of the perforation lines 3b is not limited to the first perforation line 3c and second perforation line 3d and can be modified as appropriate.

[0027] The second side surface portion 3B is defined by two first short sides 1c and two second short sides 1d. The second side surface portion 3B has, for example, a pair of inner flaps 3f positioned on both sides in the second direction D2 and a pair of outer flaps 3h positioned on both sides in the third direction D3. As an example, the pair of outer flaps 3h are adhered to the pair of inner flaps 3f with an adhesive.

[0028] The bottom surface portion 4 extends in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The bottom surface portion 4 is defined by a pair of long sides 1b and a pair of first short sides 1c. The bottom surface portion 4 faces in the opposite direction to the top surface portion 2. As an example, the bottom surface portion 4 extends parallel to the top surface portion 2. For example, the bottom surface portion 4 has a flat surface facing vertically downward.

[0029] The packaging material 1 has an inclined surface 5 at least at the boundary between the top surface 2 and the side surface 3, or at the boundary between the side surface 3 and the bottom surface 4. The inclined surface 5 extends in a direction inclined relative to the top surface 2, the side surface 3, and the bottom surface 4. The inclined surface 5 is provided so that the packaging material 1 can be easily lifted by placing a finger on the inclined surface 5. Furthermore, the inclined surface 5 allows the volume of the internal space 6 (see FIG. 3) of the packaging material 1 to be larger than when the inclined surface 5 is not present.

[0030] The inclined surface 5 is, for example, hexagonal. For example, the packaging material 1 has a plurality of inclined surfaces 5. As an example, two inclined surfaces 5 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1 on the top surface 2. Alternatively, two inclined surfaces 5 may be arranged side by side in the second direction D2 on the top surface 2. FIG. 1 shows an example in which an inclined surface 5 is formed on each of the long side 1b and the first short side 1c on the top surface 2.

[0031] For example, the first side surface portion 3A has two inclined surfaces 5 aligned along the third direction D3. In contrast, the second side surface portion 3B does not have two inclined surfaces 5 aligned side by side. The second side surface portion 3B has an inclined surface 5 formed only at the upper end, for example. In this case, at the stage of storing (packaging) the packaging material 10 in the packaging material 1, the packaging material 10 can be easily inserted into the packaging material 1 from the second side surface portion 3B.

[0032] For example, the packaging material 1 has an opening 8 formed in the second side surface portion 3B. The opening 8 is formed, for example, between a pair of inner flaps 3f aligned along the second direction D2 and between a pair of outer flaps 3h aligned along the third direction D3. The opening 8 is formed, for example, in an area including the center of the second side surface portion 3B. This makes it possible to view, for example, the center portions of beverage containers C aligned in the second direction D2 through the opening 8. The opening 8 has, for example, a rectangular shape with long sides extending in the second direction D2 and short sides extending in the third direction D3.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a packaging member 10 that can be accommodated in the packaging material 1 and a plurality of beverage containers C packaged in the packaging member 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage container C has, for example, a cylindrical side surface C1 and an upper end portion C2 located at the upper end of the beverage container C. The beverage container C has a seaming portion C3 formed on the outer edge of the upper end portion C2 in a plan view. As an example, the seaming portion C3 is annular in a plan view. While the beverage container C has been described above, the shape of the beverage container C is not limited to the above example and can be modified as appropriate.

[0034] For example, packaging member 10 has sheet material 11. Packaging member 10 packages a plurality of beverage containers C with sheet material 11 folded. Sheet material 11 is, for example, paper. As an example, packaging member 10 is a six-can pack that packages six 350 mL beverage containers C together. However, the capacity of the beverage containers C and the number of beverage containers C packaged in the packaging member are not particularly limited.

[0035] When the packaging member 10 packages the beverage container C, it has an upper portion 12 located above the beverage container C, side portions 13 located on the sides of the beverage container C, and a lower portion 14 located below the beverage container C. For example, the upper portion 12, the side portions 13, and the lower portion 14 are each sheet-shaped.

[0036] When packaged in the packaging member 10, the beverage containers C are lined up along both direction A1 and direction A2 intersecting direction A1. When packaged in the packaging member 10, the number of beverage containers C lined up along direction A1 is greater than the number of beverage containers C lined up along direction A2. For example, the number of beverage containers C lined up along direction A1 is three, and the number of beverage containers C lined up along direction A2 is two. In this case, the packaging member 10 packages six beverage containers C.

[0037] The packaging member 10 surrounds and holds a plurality of beverage containers C from above, below, left, and right, for example. For example, the packaging member 10 has a first fold line 15 located between the top portion 12 and the side portion 13, and a second fold line 16 located between the side portion 13 and the bottom portion 14. The packaging member 10 has an opening 17 defined by the top portion 12, a pair of side portions 13 aligned along direction A2, and the bottom portion 14. The opening 17 is formed by folding the first fold line 15 and the second fold line 16, respectively. For example, the plurality of beverage containers C aligned along direction A2 are exposed through the opening 17.

[0038] 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a packaging member 10 contained in the packaging material 1. The packaging member 10 is contained in the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1. The packaging member 10 is contained in the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1 with, for example, the direction A1 aligned with the first direction D1. For example, a plurality of packaging members 10 are contained in the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1. In the internal space 6, the plurality of packaging members 10 are arranged along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As an example, in the internal space 6, a plurality of packaging members 10 are arranged along the first direction D1, and a plurality of packaging members 10 are arranged along the second direction D2.

[0039] As an example, in the internal space 6, the number of packaging members 10 aligned along the first direction D1 is 2, and the number of packaging members 10 aligned along the second direction D2 is 2. In this case, the internal space 6 can accommodate four packaging members 10, i.e., 24 beverage containers C.

[0040] 4, for example, the packaging material 1 may package a plurality of beverage containers C. The packaging material 1 can package a plurality of (for example, 24) beverage containers C as they are, and can also package a packaging member 10 holding a plurality of beverage containers C.

[0041] 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the packaging member 10 that packages the beverage container C. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the packaging member 10 has gusset portions 18 that extend from the side portion 13 to the opening 17 and extend obliquely toward the top portion 12. The packaging member 10 has a plurality of gusset portions 18.

[0042] For example, a plurality of (for example, two) gusset portions 18 are arranged in the direction A2 in each opening 17. In this case, the packaging member 10 has four gusset portions 18. The gusset portions 18 extend into the upper side of the opening 17. The gusset portions 18 hold the beverage container C so that it does not fall out of the opening 17.

[0043] 6 is a diagram showing the gusset portion 18 as seen from the inside of the packaging member 10. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the gusset portion 18 has a first extending portion 18b extending from the upper portion 12, a second extending portion 18c extending from the first extending portion 18b toward the opposite side of the upper portion 12, and a folded portion 18d, at least a portion of which is located on the opposite side of the second extending portion 18c from the first extending portion 18b. The first extending portion 18b is exposed at the opening 17, and the second extending portion 18c is hidden inside the side portion 13. The folded portion 18d is a portion folded from the side portion 13 toward the inside of the packaging member 10.

[0044] As described above, the gusset portion 18 has the first extending portion 18b, the second extending portion 18c, and the folded portion 18d. As a result, the packaging member 10 has an overlapping portion 21 where the plurality of sheets 11 overlap, and a non-overlapping portion 22 where the plurality of sheets 11 do not overlap, when packaging a plurality of beverage containers C.

[0045] For example, overlapping portion 21 includes two-layer overlapping portion 21b, which is a portion where two sheet materials 11 overlap, and three-layer overlapping portion 21c, which is a portion where three sheet materials 11 overlap. For example, two-layer overlapping portion 21b is a portion where folded portion 18d and side portion 13 overlap, and three-layer overlapping portion 21c is a portion where second extending portion 18c, folded portion 18d, and side portion 13 overlap. For example, the portion of packaging member 10 other than two-layer overlapping portion 21b and three-layer overlapping portion 21c is non-overlapping portion 22. Non-overlapping portion 22 is a portion made of one sheet material 11.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, packaging member 10 has non-overlapping portion 22, two-layer overlapping portion 21b, and three-layer overlapping portion 21c. That is, packaging member 10 has non-overlapping portion 22 where there is one sheet material 11, two-layer overlapping portion 21b where two sheet materials 11 overlap, and three-layer overlapping portion 21c where three sheet materials 11 overlap.

[0047] In this way, in a packaging member 10 having portions with different numbers of sheet materials 11, when the packaging member 10 is placed in the internal space of the packaging material, for example, the overlapping portion 21 (for example, the three-layer overlapping portion 21c) may be too thick to easily fit into the internal space. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, by devising the shape of the inner surface 30 that defines the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1, the packaging member 10 can be easily placed in the internal space 6.

[0048] 7 is an exploded view of the packaging material 1 showing the inner surface 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the inner surface 30 includes a bottom surface 31 on which the lower portion 14 of the packaging member 10 is placed, two inner surfaces 32 that face the side portions 13 of the packaging member 10, and a top surface 33 that is placed on the upper portion 12 of the packaging member 10. The bottom surface 31 is the inner surface of the bottom portion 4, the inner surfaces 32 are the inner surfaces of the first side portions 3A, and the top surface 33 is the inner surface of the top portion 2. When the packaging material 1 is unfolded, inner flaps 3f are formed on both sides of each inner surface 32 in the first direction D1, and outer flaps 3h are formed on both sides of the bottom surface 31 and the top surface 33 in the first direction D1.

[0049] The packaging member 10 comes into contact with the inner surface 30. The inner surface 30 has a first portion 34 with which the non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10 comes into contact in the internal space 6, and a second portion 35 with which the overlapping portion 21 of the packaging member 10 comes into contact in the internal space 6. For example, the second portion 35 includes a first contact portion 35b with which the two-layer overlapping portion 21b comes into contact, and a second contact portion 35c with which the three-layer overlapping portion 21c comes into contact.

[0050] In Fig. 7, the first contact portion 35b is indicated by a diagonal line extending from the upper right to the lower left, and the second contact portion 35c is indicated by a diagonal line extending from the upper left to the lower right. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the inner surface 30 of the packaging material 1 and the overlapping portion 21 and non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10. As shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 8, the second portion 35 protrudes further outward from the internal space 6 than the first portion 34. For example, the second contact portion 35c protrudes further outward from the internal space 6 than the first contact portion 35b.

[0051] For example, the second portion 35 is formed on a portion of the inner surface 32 opposite the bottom surface 31. As an example, the second portion 35 is formed on each of both sides of the inner surface 32 in the first direction D1. For example, the second portion 35 has a rectangular shape. As an example, the second contact portion 35c is formed inside the first contact portion 35b.

[0052] For example, the first portion 34 is formed in a portion of the inner surface 32 other than the region where the second portion 35 is provided. The second portion 35 is a portion that faces the gusset portion 18 of the packaging member 10 when the packaging material 1 is assembled. More specifically, when the packaging material 1 is assembled, the first contact portion 35b faces the two-ply overlapping portion 21b of the gusset portion 18, and the second contact portion 35c faces the three-ply overlapping portion 21c of the gusset portion 18.

[0053] For example, the thickness of the second portion 35 of the packaging material 1 is thinner than the thickness of the first portion 34 of the packaging material 1. As an example, the thickness of the second contact portion 35c is thinner than the thickness of the first contact portion 35b. For example, the first portion 34 is a portion that has not been crushed, and the second portion 35 is a portion that has been crushed. The second contact portion 35c has been crushed more strongly than the first contact portion 35b. For example, the second contact portion 35c is crushed more strongly than the first contact portion 35b, and is therefore thinner than the first contact portion 35b.

[0054] For example, the number of second portions 35 lined up along the first direction D1 is smaller than the number of gusset portions 18 in the multiple packaging members 10 contained in the packaging material 1. As an example, four gusset portions 18 are lined up along the first direction D1, while two second portions 35 are lined up along the first direction D1. For example, of the multiple gusset portions 18 lined up along the first direction D1, the gusset portions 18 located at the ends of the packaging material 1 in the first direction D1 face the second portions 35, while the gusset portions 18 located other than the ends of the packaging material 1 in the first direction D1 (the center in the first direction D1) do not face the second portions 35.

[0055] The gusset portions 18 located at positions other than the end portions in the first direction D1 face the first portion 34. In this embodiment, the internal space 6 is expanded at positions other than the end portions in the first direction D1 due to the formation of the inclined surfaces 5 described above. Therefore, even if the gusset portions 18 do not face the second portion 35, the packaging member 10 can be easily accommodated in the internal space 6.

[0056] However, in the case of a packaging material 1 in which an inclined surface 5 is not formed, the number of second portions 35 may be the same as the number of gusset portions 18, and each of the multiple gusset portions 18 may face a second portion 35. Three or four second portions 35 may be formed lined up along the first direction D1. When three second portions 35 are lined up along the first direction D1, two gusset portions 18 face the second portion 35 located at the center in the first direction D1. Therefore, the area of ​​the second portion 35 located at the center in the first direction D1 is larger than the area of ​​the second portions 35 located at the ends in the first direction D1.

[0057] For example, the packaging material 1 has crushed portions 36. The crushed portions 36 are areas that have been crushed, and are formed in multiple locations on the packaging material 1. The thickness of the crushed portions 36 is thinner than the thickness of the areas other than the crushed portions 36. As an example, the thickness of the crushed portions 36 is approximately the same as the thickness of the first contact portion 35b.

[0058] The crushed portion 36 includes a first crushed portion 37 located at a portion 3j of the first side surface portion 3A that protrudes on the side opposite to the bottom surface portion 4, a second crushed portion 38 located at a portion 2b of the top surface portion 2 opposite to the first side surface portion 3A, and a third crushed portion 39 located around the second cut line 3d. The portion 3j is the portion that fits inside the top surface portion 2 when the packaging material 1 is assembled.

[0059] When the packaging material 1 is assembled, the portion 3j is located inside the portion 2b of the top surface portion 2. For example, glue is applied to at least one of the outer surface of the portion 3j and the inner surface of the portion 2b, and the outer surface of the portion 3j is fixed to the inner surface of the portion 2b via the applied glue. In this way, the side surface portion 3 is joined to the top surface portion 2.

[0060] As described above, the first crushed portion 37 is formed in the portion 3j to be glued, and the second crushed portion 38 is formed in the portion 2b to be glued. By crushing the portion to be glued in this way, it is possible to prevent the packaging material 1 from becoming thicker due to the glue. The third crushed portion 39 is formed around the second cut line 3d and along the second cut line 3d. In this case, it is possible to prevent protrusions or the like from occurring from the second cut line 3d when the packaging material 1 is assembled.

[0061] Next, an example of a manufacturing method for a packaging material according to this embodiment will be described. First, base paper for the packaging material 1 is produced (a process of producing base paper). As an example, cardboard base paper that constitutes the packaging material 1 is produced. At this time, waste paper is loosened in water to form fibers, and the fibers are beaten to make them easier to tangle, after which the water is squeezed out and the paper is dried to make the surface smooth, thereby producing cardboard base paper.

[0062] Next, the unfolded packaging material 1 is prepared. For example, a corrugated cardboard core is prepared by shaping cardboard base paper into a corrugated shape, and flat cardboard base paper is attached to the front and back of the core to prepare a front liner and a back liner, which are then dried with heat. In this way, the cardboard that constitutes the packaging material 1 is prepared. Note that this cardboard may be printed with an indication of the type of beverage container C, etc.

[0063] However, considering that the packaging material 1 will be used for many types of beverage containers C, it may be possible to leave the packaging material 1 unprinted at this stage (to leave it plain), or to print only the minimum amount necessary, and then print it later at the beverage manufacturing plant. In other words, printing on the packaging material 1 may be performed on the beverage production line. In this case, the packaging material 1 can be commonly used for many types of beverages, which reduces the effort required to produce the packaging material 1 and also reduces the amount of packaging material 1 that is discarded. This therefore contributes to reducing the environmental impact associated with the production of the packaging material 1.

[0064] Also, a wooden mold having the shape of the unfolded packaging material 1 shown in Fig. 7 is prepared (step of preparing a wooden mold). This wooden mold includes a convex crushing die that performs crushing processing to form the second portion 35 on the inner surface 30. The unfolded packaging material 1 is punched out of the cardboard using this wooden mold, and the crushing die also forms the second portion 35 on the inner surface 30.

[0065] At this time, the second portion 35 is crushed so that the thickness of the second portion 35 is thinner than the thickness of the first portion 34. Then, the inner surface 30 is formed so that the second portion 35 protrudes more outward from the internal space 6 than the first portion 34 (step of forming the inner surface). Furthermore, the crushing is performed so that the thickness of the second contact portion 35c is thinner than the thickness of the first contact portion 35b. For example, the hardness of the crushing die used to crush the second contact portion 35c is made harder than the hardness of the crushing die used to crush the first contact portion 35b, thereby making the second contact portion 35c thinner than the first contact portion 35b. For example, the crushing is also performed on the crushed portion 36. Through the above steps, the production of the packaging material 1 is completed.

[0066] Next, an example of the steps of the beverage manufacturing method will be described. First, the can body (side surface C1) of the beverage container C is prepared, and the beverage is filled into the can body and the upper end C2 serving as a lid is seamed to fill the beverage container C with the beverage (a beverage filling step). Then, for example, a packaging material 1 manufactured by the above manufacturing method is prepared (a packaging material preparation step).

[0067] Meanwhile, a plurality of beverage containers C are packaged in packaging member 10 (a process of packaging beverage containers with packaging member). As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of beverage containers C are arranged on lower portion 14, and sheet material 11 is folded at first folding line 15 and second folding line 16, thereby packaging a plurality of beverage containers C in packaging member 10 such that the plurality of beverage containers C are surrounded by upper portion 12, a pair of side portions 13, and lower portion 14.

[0068] 3 and 7, packaging members 10 holding multiple beverage containers C are arranged on the bottom surface 4 of the unfolded packaging material 1 (a process of arranging multiple packaging members on the bottom surface of the packaging material). For example, four (2 x 2) packaging members 10 are arranged on the bottom surface 4. Then, the side surface portions 3 and the top surface portion 2 are folded relative to the bottom surface 4, and the top surface portions 2 are placed opposite the upper portions 12 of each packaging member 10, thereby assembling the packaging material 1 (a process of assembling the packaging material).

[0069] 8, a first portion 34 of the inner surface 30 faces the non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10, and a second portion 35 of the inner surface 30 faces the overlapping portion 21 of the packaging member 10. For example, a first contact portion 35b faces the two-ply overlapping portion 21b of the packaging member 10, and a second contact portion 35c faces the three-ply overlapping portion 21c of the packaging member 10. After the packaging member 10 has been accommodated in the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1 in this manner, a series of steps in the beverage manufacturing method is completed.

[0070] Next, the effects obtained from the packaging material 1, the manufacturing method of the packaging material 1, and the manufacturing method of a beverage according to this embodiment will be described. In the packaging material 1, the manufacturing method of the packaging material 1, and the manufacturing method of a beverage according to this embodiment, the packaging material 1 has an internal space 6, and the internal space 6 contains packaging members 10 that package multiple beverage containers C. The packaging members 10 have overlapping portions 21 where the sheet materials 11 overlap, and non-overlapping portions 22 where the sheet materials 11 do not overlap. The packaging material 1 has an inner surface 30, which contacts the packaging member 10. The inner surface 30 has a first portion 34 and a second portion 35. The non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10 contacts the first portion 34, and the overlapping portion 21 of the packaging member 10 contacts the second portion 35. The second portion 35 protrudes further outward from the internal space 6 than the first portion 34.

[0071] The non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10 contacts the first portion 34 of the inner surface 30, and the overlapping portion 21 of the packaging member 10 contacts the second portion 35 that protrudes further outward into the internal space 6 than the first portion 34. Therefore, the packaging member 10 having the overlapping portion 21, where multiple sheet materials 11 overlap, can be housed inside the packaging material 1. Furthermore, because the overlapping portion 21 and the non-overlapping portion 22 of the packaging member 10 can be brought into contact with the inner surface 30 of the packaging material 1, it is possible to prevent a gap from occurring between the packaging member 10 and the inner surface 30. Therefore, rattling of the packaging member 10 inside the packaging material 1 can be prevented.

[0072] As described above, the overlapping portion 21 may include a two-sheet overlapping portion 21b where two sheet materials 11 overlap, and a three-sheet overlapping portion 21c where three sheet materials 11 overlap. The second portion 35 may include a first contact portion 35b with which the two-sheet overlapping portion 21b contacts, and a second contact portion 35c with which the three-sheet overlapping portion 21c contacts. The second contact portion 35c may protrude further outward into the internal space 6 than the first contact portion 35b. In this case, the packaging member 10 has the two-sheet overlapping portion 21b where two sheet materials 11 overlap, and the three-sheet overlapping portion 21c where three sheet materials 11 overlap. The second contact portion 35c with which the three-sheet overlapping portion 21c contacts protrudes further outward into the internal space 6 than the first contact portion 35b with which the two-sheet overlapping portion 21b contacts. Therefore, the packaging member 10 having the three-layer overlapping portion 21c, which is the portion where three sheets 11 overlap, can be housed inside the packaging material 1.

[0073] As described above, the packaging material 1 may have a top surface 2 facing vertically upward, side surfaces 3 extending downward from the outer edge of the top surface 2, and a bottom surface 4 extending along the top surface 2 at the lower end of the side surface 3. The inner surface 30 may be formed inside the side surface 3. The packaging material 1 may have an inclined surface 5 extending in a direction inclined relative to the top surface 2, side surface 3, and bottom surface 4 at at least one of the boundaries between the top surface 2 and the side surface 3 and the boundaries between the side surface 3 and the bottom surface 4. In this case, the inclined surface 5 is formed at at least one of the boundaries between the top surface 2 and the side surface 3 and the boundaries between the side surface 3 and the bottom surface 4, making it easier to lift the packaging material 1 by placing a finger on the inclined surface 5. Furthermore, when the inclined surface 5 is present, the side surface 3 of the packaging material 1 bulges outward compared to when the inclined surface 5 is not present. Therefore, the internal space 6 of the packaging material 1 can be made larger, and therefore it is possible to easily insert the packaging member 10 having a portion where a plurality of sheet materials 11 overlap into the internal space 6.

[0074] As described above, the packaging material 1 may include a top surface portion 2 facing the top portion 12 of the packaging member 10, and a side surface portion 3 facing the side portion 13 of the packaging member 10. In the step of forming the inner surface 30, the second portion 35 of the side surface portion 3 may be crushed so that the thickness of the second portion 35 is thinner than the thickness of the first portion 34 of the side surface portion 3. In this case, the crushing process can make the thickness of the second portion 35 of the side surface portion 3 thinner than the thickness of the first portion 34 of the side surface portion 3, so that the second portion 35 can be easily formed by crushing the inner surface 30 of the side surface portion 3.

[0075] The above describes embodiments of the packaging material, the packaging material manufacturing method, and the beverage manufacturing method according to the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the claims. In other words, the shape, size, material, number, and arrangement of each part of the packaging material, as well as the content and order of the steps in the packaging material manufacturing method and the beverage manufacturing method, are not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0076] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the packaging material 1 has a rectangular second portion 35 in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 7 . However, the shape and size of the second portion 35 are not limited to the example in FIG. 7 . Furthermore, depending on the type of packaging material 1, it is possible to change the location of the crushed portion 36 or to omit the crushed portion 36. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the second portion 35 is formed by crushing. However, the second portion 35 may be formed by a method other than crushing. For example, the second portion 35 may be formed by rolling a roller against the inner surface 30.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the thickness of the second portion 35 is thinner than the thickness of the first portion 34. However, the relationship between the thickness of the second portion 35 and the thickness of the first portion 34 is not limited to the above example. For example, the thickness of the second portion 35 may be the same as the thickness of the first portion 34, and both the inner and outer surfaces of the second portion 35 may protrude further outward from the internal space 6 than the first portion 34.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the packaging member 10 packages six beverage containers C. However, the number of beverage containers C packaged by the packaging member may be, for example, two or more and five or less. The number of beverage containers C packaged by the packaging member may also be seven or more, eight or more, or ten or more. Thus, the number of beverage containers C packaged by the packaging member is not particularly limited. In the above-described embodiment, the packaging member 10 was described as holding multiple rows (2 x 3) of beverage containers C. However, the packaging member may also be, for example, a packaging member that holds multiple beverage containers C arranged in a single row, and the number and arrangement of beverage containers C held by the packaging member are not particularly limited.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the packaging material 1 has an inclined surface 5. However, the packaging material may not have an inclined surface 5. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the cardboard of the packaging material 1 is B-flute or A-flute. However, the type of cardboard of the packaging material may be other than B-flute or A-flute. Furthermore, the packaging material may be made of a material other than cardboard. As an example, the packaging material may be a box made of cardboard. In this way, the materials and physical properties of the packaging material according to the present disclosure can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1...packaging material, 1b...long side, 1c...first short side, 1d...second short side, 2...top surface, 2b...portion, 3...side surface, 3A...first side surface, 3B...second side surface, 3b...cut line, 3c...first cut line, 3d...second cut line, 3f...inner flap, 3h...outer flap, 3j...portion, 4...bottom surface, 5...inclined surface, 6...internal space, 8...opening, 10...packaging member, 11...sheet material, 12...upper portion, 13...side portion, 14...lower portion, 15...first fold line, 16...second fold line, 17...opening, 18...gusset portion, 18b...first extension portion , 18c...second extension portion, 18d...folded portion, 21...overlapping portion, 21b...two-layer overlapping portion, 21c...three-layer overlapping portion, 22...non-overlapping portion, 30...inner surface, 31...bottom surface, 32...inner surface, 33...top surface, 34...first portion, 35...second portion, 35b...first contact portion, 35c...second contact portion, 36...crushed portion, 37...first crushed portion, 38...second crushed portion, 39...third crushed portion, A1, A2...direction, C...beverage container, C1...side surface, C2...upper end portion, C3...seaming portion, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction.

Claims

1. A packaging material having an internal space in which a packaging member that packages a plurality of beverage containers in a folded state of a sheet material is accommodated, and an inner surface that comes into contact with the packaging member, The packaging member has an overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets overlap when packaging the plurality of beverage containers, and a non-overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets do not overlap, The inner surface is a first portion with which the non-overlapping portion contacts in the internal space; a second portion with which the overlapping portion contacts in the internal space; and The second portion protrudes further outward from the internal space than the first portion. Packaging materials.

2. the overlapping portion includes a two-layer overlapping portion where two of the sheet materials overlap, and a three-layer overlapping portion where three of the sheet materials overlap, the second portion includes a first contact portion with which the two-layer overlapping portion comes into contact and a second contact portion with which the three-layer overlapping portion comes into contact, The second contact portion protrudes further outward from the internal space than the first contact portion. The packaging material according to claim 1.

3. a top surface portion oriented vertically upward, a side surface portion extending downward from an outer edge of the top surface portion, and a bottom surface portion extending along the top surface portion at a lower end of the side surface portion; the inner surface is formed on the inside of the side surface portion, At least one of the boundary between the top surface portion and the side surface portion and the boundary between the side surface portion and the bottom surface portion has an inclined surface extending in a direction inclined with respect to the top surface portion, the side surface portion, and the bottom surface portion. The packaging material according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for manufacturing a packaging material having an internal space in which a packaging member for packaging a plurality of beverage containers is accommodated in a folded sheet material, and an inner surface with which the packaging member comes into contact, comprising: The packaging member has an overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets of sheet material overlap when packaging the plurality of beverage containers, and a non-overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets of sheet material do not overlap, The inner surface is a first portion with which the non-overlapping portion contacts in the internal space; a second portion with which the overlapping portion contacts in the internal space; and forming the inner surface so that the second portion protrudes outward from the internal space more than the first portion; Packaging manufacturing methods.

5. the packaging material has a top surface portion facing an upper portion of the packaging member and a side surface portion facing a side portion of the packaging member, In the step of forming the inner surface, the second portion of the side surface is crushed so that the thickness of the second portion is thinner than the thickness of the first portion of the side surface. A method for manufacturing the packaging material according to claim 4.

6. A method for producing a beverage contained in a beverage container, comprising: filling the beverage container with a beverage; packaging a plurality of the beverage containers in the packaging member by folding a sheet of packaging member material; placing the packaging member in a packaging material; Equipped with The packaging member has an overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets overlap when packaging the plurality of beverage containers, and a non-overlapping portion where the plurality of sheets do not overlap, the inner surface of the packaging material has a first portion and a second portion that protrudes outward from the first portion to the outside of the internal space of the packaging material; In the accommodating step, the non-overlapping portion contacts the first portion, and the overlapping portion contacts the second portion. Beverage production method.

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