Spout container

Abstract

To provide a spout container having a spout given with a back-suck function to suck a content back from a side of a discharge port.SOLUTION: A spout container comprises a spout 10 mounted on an upper side 7 of a flexible, squeezable bag 2 for accommodating fluid. The spout 10 is made up of a seal portion 11 that is inserted into the upper side 7 and has a lengthwise communication hole 14 passing between internal and external of the bag 2, a discharge portion 16 that is arranged above the seal portion 11 continuously with the communication hole 14, and one pair of leg pieces 20 that are provided vertically extending from both sides in a thickness direction T of the communication hole 14 into the bag 2. The one pair of leg pieces 20 are allowed to displace in a manner nearing each other with a passage hole B left between the one pair of leg pieces 20 by an operation to push inward one pair of main surfaces 5 of the bag 2 and resiliently restore by canceling the pushing operation. By pressing the main surfaces 5 from inside to outside, the bag 2 can be expanded from a squeezed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout container. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of this type of container is a bag for storing fluids, in which the axial middle portion of a vertical cylindrical spout that connects the inside and outside of the bag is welded to the upper side of the bag (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2934611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The spout container of Patent Document 1 does not return to its original shape after being squeezed to discharge the contents, so there is a risk that the contents will remain attached to the discharge port after discharge, causing contamination.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a spout container in which a backsack function is imparted to the spout, which sucks back the contents from the discharge port side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first means comprises a flexible, squeezable bag 2 for containing fluids; A spout 10 is attached to the upper side 7 of the bag body 2, The bag body 2 is larger in a width direction W than in a thickness direction T, and has a pair of main surface portions 5 on both sides of the thickness direction T that are suitable for pressing, The spout 10 includes a seal portion 11 that is inserted into the upper side 7 and has a vertical through hole 14 that passes through the inside and outside of the bag body 2; a discharge portion 16 arranged above the seal portion 11 and continuous with the introducing hole 14; a pair of leg pieces 20 extending downward from both sides of the through hole 14 in the thickness direction T into the bag body 2; Between the pair of legs 20, a passage B is formed that connects the interior I of the bag body 2 with the discharge portion 16. When the pair of leg pieces 20 are pushed inward, they are displaced so that they approach each other, leaving the passage opening B between them, and when the pushing operation is released, they elastically recover, pressing the main surface portions 5 outward from the inside, thereby enabling the bag body 2 to expand from a compressed state.

[0007] In this means, a pair of legs 20 hang down from a seal portion 11 inserted into the upper side 7 of the bag body 2 shown in Fig. 1(A) into the bag body 2 (see Fig. 3(B)). As shown in Figure 4(A), when the pair of leg pieces 20 are pushed inward, the pair of main surface portions 5 are displaced so that they approach each other, leaving the passage opening B between the pair of leg pieces 20, and as shown in Figure 4(B), when the pushing operation is released, the leg pieces 20 elastically recover, pressing the main surface portions 5 outward from the inside, thereby enabling the bag body 2 to expand from a compressed state. This structure can achieve a backpack function that sucks the contents blocking the discharge portion 16 back into the interior I of the bag body 2 by expanding the bag body 2.

[0008] The second means includes the first means, and each of the pair of legs 20 has an operating portion 24 that comes into contact with the main surface portion 5 during the pushing operation, and is configured so that at least the operating portion 24 presses the main surface portion 5 outward in the thickness direction T when the pushing operation is released; The actuating portion 24 is formed as the tip of the leg piece 20 in the vertical direction.

[0009] In this means, as shown in Figure 3(B), each of the pair of leg pieces 20 has an operating portion 24 that abuts against the main surface portion 5 during a pushing operation, and is configured so that when the pushing operation is released, at least the operating portion 24 presses the main surface portion 5 outward in the thickness direction T. The actuating portion 24 is formed as the tip of the leg piece 20 in the vertical direction. According to this structure, when the leg pieces 20 elastically restore, the outward movement distance of the actuation parts 24 increases, and therefore the backpack function of the bag body 2 can be reliably achieved.

[0010] The third means includes the first means or the second means, and the pair of legs 20 each have an actuating portion 24 that comes into contact with the main surface portion 5 during the pushing operation, and is configured so that at least the actuating portion 24 presses the main surface portion 5 outward in the thickness direction T when the pushing operation is released; The pair of operating portions 24 are formed by opposing portions 26 that face each other, and extension portions 28 that extend alternately from the opposing portions 26 in the width direction W.

[0011] In this means, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(C), a pair of operating portions 24 are formed by opposing portions 26 that face each other and extension portions 28 that extend alternately from these opposing portions 26 in the width direction W. With this structure, when the leg pieces 20 elastically restore, the area over which the bag body 2 is pressed is wider than when only the opposing portions 26 are pressing, and the amount of outward movement of the main surface portion 5 increases, thereby fully realizing the backpack function. In addition, because the pair of extensions 28 extend in alternate directions, interference between the extensions 28 can be avoided.

[0012] The fourth means has the third means, and the pair of opposing portions 26 have abutment portions n that abut against each other by the pushing operation, and when these abutment portions n abut against each other, each operating portion 24 presses the main surface portion 5 outward in the thickness direction T by releasing the pushing operation.

[0013] In this means, as shown in Figure 5 (B), a pair of opposing portions 26 have abutment portions n that abut against each other when pressed in, and when these abutment portions n abut against each other, each operating portion 24 presses the main surface portion 5 outward in the thickness direction T when the pressing operation is released. According to this structure, the amount of suction of the backsack mechanism can be kept constant by pushing in the pair of main surface portions 5 until the pair of leg pieces 20 abut against each other, and by appropriately designing this amount of suction, the contents in the discharge portion 16 can be sucked back accurately.

[0014] The fifth means has the fourth means, and the abutting portions n are formed as both side end portions n of each of the opposing portions 26 in the width direction W, Further, when viewed from below, the pair of opposing portions 26 have a shape in which a middle portion m in the width direction W thereof bulges outward in the thickness direction T compared to a side end portion n in the width direction W, The passage B is defined between the pair of opposing portions 26 .

[0015] In this means, as shown in Figures 2(C) and 5(B), the abutment portions n of the operating portion 24 are formed as both side end portions n in the width direction W of each opposing portion 26, and when these abutment portions n abut, the passage opening B is defined between the pair of opposing portions 26. According to this structure, the pair of leg pieces 20 can be brought into stable and steady contact with each other, and the contents can be taken out without blocking the flow path (passage port B) of the contents. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the spout can be endowed with a backsack function that sucks back the contents from the discharge port side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show the external shape of a spout container according to an embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 1A being a front view and FIG. 1B being a plan view. [Figure 2] 2 shows the configuration of the spout of the container shown in FIG. 1, with FIG. 2(A) being a front view, FIG. 2(B) being a side view, and FIG. 2(C) being a bottom view. [Figure 3] 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the spout shown in FIG. 2, where FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view seen from the front, and FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the side. [Figure 4] The operation of the container shown in Figure 1 is shown in (A) where the container is squeezed to expel the contents, and in (B) where the container is released to suck the contents back in. [Figure 5] 3 shows a state in which a pair of legs of the spout shown in FIG. 2 are pushed inward, with FIG. 3(A) showing this state from the side and FIG. 3(B) showing this state from below. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] 1 to 5 show a spout container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This spout container 1 comprises a bag body 2, a spout 10, and a cap 30, as shown in Fig. 1(A).

[0019] The bag body 2 is a flexible, compressible packaging bag (pouch) for storing fluids, and is formed by welding (thermally welding) the peripheries 6 of overlapping sheet materials 4 together, and has a pair of main surface portions 5 which are the main parts of these sheet materials 4 and are arranged on both sides in the thickness direction T. The main surface portion 5 is merely a portion suitable for inward pushing operation, and specifically corresponds to the front and back surfaces of the bag body 2. Marks 8 indicating the pressing points are formed at appropriate positions on these main surface portions 5. A seal portion 11, which will be described later, is inserted and attached to the upper side 7 of the periphery 6. The bag body 2 has a shape that is larger in the width direction W than in the thickness direction T. The term "fluid" refers to a substance that has enough fluidity to be discharged from the discharge port when the bag is tilted and squeezed, and to be sucked back when the compressed bag is restored to its original shape. Suitable examples of fluid substances include various paste-like and jelly-like substances (such as foods).

[0020] The spout 10 is a vertically long member that is attached (welded) to the upper sides of the pair of sheet materials 4 when they are welded together. The spout 10 can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The spout 10 is inserted into the upper edge 7 in a liquid-tight manner, with a discharge portion 16 erected from the upper side of the welded seal portion 11, and a pair of leg pieces 20 hanging down from appropriate positions (opposite positions in the thickness direction T) on the lower side of the seal portion 11.

[0021] The seal portion 11 has a vertical through hole 14 that connects the inside and outside of the bag body 2 . As shown in Figure 2(C), the sealing portion 11 of this embodiment has a conventionally known boat shape (meaning a shape in which the center is thick and both sides are tapered) when viewed from below, and protrudes from the thick center portion 12 in the thickness direction T to side pieces 13 that taper outward in the width direction W. As a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(C), when viewed from below, a cylindrical discharge portion 16 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical seal portion 11 via a peripheral (hexagonal ring-shaped in the illustrated example) top wall portion 15. The outer peripheral surface of the seal portion 11 is a seal surface S for welding to the upper side 7 of the spout 10, and is formed in a vertical plane. The internal space defined by the seal portion 11 and the top wall portion 15 serves as a through hole 14. Step portions d shown in FIG. 3(A) are provided on both sides of the top wall portion 15 in the width direction W. However, these structures can be modified as appropriate.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(A), the discharge part 16 is a discharge tube that is connected to the through hole 14 and extends upward from the seal part 11, and has a discharge port A opened on its upper surface. In the illustrated example, a reduced diameter portion e, which is a throttle portion, is formed on the inner surface of the discharge portion 16 close to the discharge port A. In addition, a male thread portion 17 is provided on the outer surface of the discharge portion 16, which engages with a female thread portion (not shown) formed on the cap described below, and a pair of conventionally known annular fins f are provided below the male thread portion 17.

[0023] The pair of legs 20 are a pair of elastically deformable operating parts, and these operating parts function as a backpack mechanism for sucking back the contents from the discharge port A side. That is, these leg pieces 20 expand the bag body 2, which has been compressed by a pushing operation as shown in Figure 4(A), as shown in Figure 4(B), creating a negative pressure inside I and sucking back the contents from the discharge part 16. The pair of legs 20 are elastic and have the effect of constantly expanding the bag body 2, which is a pouch container, so that choke-off near the discharge outlet A is unlikely to occur in the case of a refill pouch. As shown in Figure 3 (B), the pair of leg pieces 20 are suspended from both sides of the through hole 14 in the thickness direction T into the bag body 2. Between the pair of leg pieces 20, a passage B is formed that connects the interior I of the bag body 2 with the discharge part 16. 4(A), by pressing the pair of main surface portions 5 inward, the pair of leg pieces 20 are displaced (swinged) so as to approach each other, leaving a passage B between the pair of leg pieces 20. In this specification, "approaching" includes abutting. The pair of leg pieces 20 are capable of elastically bending inward in the thickness direction T, and as described below, have a degree of elasticity that allows the bag body 2 to expand from a compressed state by elastically recovering after being pushed inward.

[0024] In this embodiment, the pair of leg pieces 20 are formed to have the same shape as each other. Specifically, these leg pieces 20 have a structure that is rotationally symmetrical by 180° about the central axis O of the spout 10 shown in Figure 2(C) (which coincides with the cylindrical axis of the discharge part 16 in the illustrated example). The leg pieces 20 in the illustrated example are formed as leg plates that are fitted to the inner surface of the sheet material 4 . In the illustrated example, the pair of leg pieces 20 are suspended downward and outward from the seal portion 11 as shown in Fig. 3(B) when viewed in the width direction W. In other words, each leg piece 20 is arranged to slightly protrude outward with respect to a perpendicular line P from the seal surface S of the seal portion 11. This allows the operating portion 24, which will be described later, to significantly push the main surface portion 5 of the bag body 2 outward. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(A), each leg piece 20 includes a connecting portion 22 which is a base portion in the vertical direction from the sealing portion 11, and an operating portion 24 which is a tip portion in the vertical direction. These structures can be modified as appropriate. Here, the operating portion 24 is merely a portion for expanding the bag body 2, and the connecting portion 22 is merely a portion for connecting the sealing portion 11 and the operating portion 24 together.

[0025] The connecting portion 22 serves to connect the operating portion 24 to the sealing portion 11 so that the operating portion 24 can swing. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 22 is a plate-shaped portion (connecting plate) oriented in the width direction W when viewed from above. The connecting portions 22 are positioned on both sides of the introducing hole 14 in the thickness direction T, and are connected to the lower end of the cylindrical sealing portion 11 via a base portion j. The connecting portion 22 is elastically deformable like a leaf spring, and in the illustrated example, is formed so as to bend and deform mainly at the base portion j. However, the connecting portion 22 may be formed so as to be deformable over the entire longitudinal direction. 2(A), the connecting portion 22 in the illustrated example is formed by a pair of connecting bands 23. A vertically elongated hole h is opened between these connecting bands 23. However, these structures can be modified as appropriate.

[0026] The actuation portion 24 has a role of pushing open the compressed bag body 2 and raising the backsack of the contents after the pushing operation on the pair of main surface portions 5 is released. In this embodiment, the pair of actuating portions 24 are plate-shaped portions (actuating plates) extending in the width direction W along the inner surface of the bag body 2 as seen from below, as shown in FIG. 2(C). When viewed from the front (thickness direction T), these operating portions 24 are formed of opposing portions 26 that face each other and extension portions 28 that extend alternately from these opposing portions 26 in the width direction W, as shown in Figure 2(A). In the illustrated example, the pair of opposing portions 26 are arc-shaped plate portions (opposing plate portions) when viewed from below, as shown in Figure 2 (C), and are formed so that the middle point m in the width direction W bulges outward in the thickness direction T compared to the side end portions n in the width direction W. The extension 28 is a plate-like portion (extension plate portion) that extends continuously from the side end n of the opposing portion 26 in the width direction W. Note that "continuously" means without any steps or folds. The ends (terminal portions 29) of these extensions 28 in the extending direction come into contact with the inner surface of the bag body 2 at least after the pushing operation, as will be described later.

[0027] In this embodiment, the pair of opposing portions 26 are formed so as to be able to abut against each other with the side end portions n serving as abutting portions. Herein, of the two side ends of each opposing portion 26, the end farthest from the extension portion 28 is referred to as the distal end portion n1, and the end closest to the extension portion 28 is referred to as the proximal end portion n2. In this embodiment, the distal end portion n1 of one opposing portion 26 and the proximal end portion n2 of the other opposing portion 26 are configured to abut against each other. When the proximal end portion n2 and the distal end portion n1 are in contact with each other, a spindle-shaped passage B is defined between the pair of opposing portions 26, as shown in FIG. 5(B). At this time, a pair of extension portions 28 extend from the opposing portions 26 in alternate directions, so that the proximal end portion n2 and the distal end portion n1 can be brought into contact with each other on both sides of the pair of opposing portions 26 without interfering with each other. Therefore, the stroke between the state where the pair of legs 20 are closest to each other (see FIG. 2(B)) and the state where they are farthest apart (see FIG. 5(A)) can be increased. Therefore, the backpack function can be fully exhibited. A certain amount of sack can be obtained by pushing the main surface portion 5 in until the pair of legs 20, which form the sack mechanism, come into contact with each other. Furthermore, since the abutting ends n are provided on both sides of the facing portion 26, the pair of legs 20 can be stably abutted against each other. However, the number and arrangement of these contact portions n, or the shape of the passage openings can be changed as appropriate. In the illustrated example, one of the two connecting bands 23 is continuous with the opposing portion 26 near the distal end n1, and the other is continuous with the extending portion 28 near the proximal end n2. A downwardly projecting bulging portion 27 is provided from the lower end of the facing portion 26 .

[0028] In this embodiment, the extension portion 28 extends continuously from the side end portion n of the opposing portion 26 toward the inside in the width direction W. Note that "to the inside" roughly means a direction approaching from one of the front-side sheet material 4A and the back-side sheet material 4B shown in FIG. 2(C) to the other. In a preferred embodiment, when the pair of legs 20 elastically recover from the mutually abutting state as shown in Figure 5(B), the operating portion 24 abuts against the inner surface of the main surface portion 5 from the opposing portion 26 to the end portion 29 of the extension portion 28. As a result, the main surface portion 5 is pressed outward in the thickness direction T over a wider range than in a structure in which the extension portion 28 is not provided. Since the extensions 28 are connected to both of the pair of opposing portions 26, the amount of outward movement increases, and the volume of the bag body 2 that expands from the compressed state increases. Therefore, the negative pressure inside the bag body 2 is strengthened, and the backpack function can be fully realized. The reason why the pair of extensions 28 are provided to extend alternately from the pair of opposing portions 26 is to increase the stroke for expanding the bag body 2. With this structure, the two extensions 28 are less likely to interfere with each other. Furthermore, since the pair of extensions 28 are alternately extended, it is possible to create uniformity in the interior I of the bag body 2 on both sides in the width direction W, and the bag body 2 can function as a backpack more effectively. However, these structures can be modified as appropriate.

[0029] The cap 30 is cylindrical with a top, and is fitted (threaded in the illustrated example) to the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the discharge part 16. This structure can be modified as appropriate.

[0030] In the above configuration, when using the spout container 1, the cap 30 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 1(A), and the bag body 2 is tilted and the pair of main surface portions 5 are pressed as shown in FIG. 4(A). As a result, the pair of legs 20 are pushed inward through the bag body 2 and swing inward until they come into contact with each other. Then, the bag body 2 is squeezed, and the contents inside the bag body 2 pass through the passage port B and are discharged from the discharge port A. Next, by releasing the discharge operation, the pair of legs 20 elastically recover and push the bag body 2 open, creating a negative pressure in the bag body 2, thereby providing a backpack function in which the contents in the discharge section 16 are sucked back into the interior I of the bag body 2. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of the contents dripping from the tip of the discharge part 16 onto the outer surface of the discharge part 16 or dripping onto the floor or the like and causing stains. The operating portions 24 of the leg pieces 20, which are mainly responsible for pushing open the bag body 2, are formed at the tip portions of the leg pieces 20, so that the outward movement distance of the operating portions 24 increases. Furthermore, since the pair of operating portions 24 include extension portions 28 that extend alternately in the width direction W from mutually opposing portions (opposing portions 26), the range over which each operating portion 24 presses against the main surface portion 5 of the bag body 2 is wider than when pressing only with the opposing portions 26, and the outward movement distance of the main surface portion 5 is increased. Furthermore, by continuing to push the main surface portion 5 until the pair of leg pieces 20 come into contact with each other, a certain amount of contents is discharged, and by releasing the pushing operation, a certain amount of back suction action is obtained.

[0031] According to the above configuration and function, the pair of leg pieces 20 are configured to be pushed into the pair of main surface portions 5, bringing them close to each other, and then elastically recovering when the pushing operation is released, allowing the bag body 2 to expand from its compressed state, thereby realizing the backpack function. The operating parts 24 of the pair of leg pieces 20 are formed as the tip parts in the vertical direction of the leg pieces 20, and the extension parts 28 extend alternately from the opposing parts 26 opposing each other, so that the backpack function can be surely and sufficiently realized. The pair of leg pieces 20 abut against each other via the abutment parts n of the opposing parts 26, so that a required fixed amount of sack can be obtained, and the abutment parts n are provided on both sides of the pair of opposing parts 26 that bulge outward, so that the contents can be taken out without blocking the flow path (passage opening B). [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1...Spout container 2...Bag body 4, 4A, 4B...Sheet material 5...Main surface portion (surface portion and back surface portion) 6...periphery 7...top edge 8...mark 10...Spout 11...Sealing portion 12...Central portion 13...Side piece portion 14...Conduction hole 15...Top wall part 16...Discharge part 17...Male thread part 20... Leg piece 22... Connecting portion 23... Connecting belt 24... Operating portion (operating plate) 26...Opposing part (opposing plate part) 27...Bulging part 28...Extension part (extension plate part) 29...End part 30...Cap A...Discharge port B...Passage port d...Step e...Reduced diameter f...Fin h...Hole I...Inside of bag j...Base part m...Middle part n...Side end (contact part) n1...Distal end n2...proximal end O...central axis P...perpendicular line S...seal surface T...thickness direction W...width direction

Claims

1. A flexible, squeezable bag (2) for storing fluids; and a spout (10) attached to the upper side (7) of the bag body (2), The bag body (2) is larger in the width direction (W) than in the thickness direction (T), and has a pair of main surface portions (5) on both sides of the thickness direction (T) that are suitable for pressing, The spout (10) is inserted into the upper edge (7) and has a seal portion (11) having a vertical through hole (14) that passes through the inside and outside of the bag body (2); a discharge portion (16) arranged above the seal portion (11) and connected to the introducing hole (14); a pair of legs (20) extending downward into the bag body (2) from both sides of the through hole (14) in the thickness direction (T); Between the pair of legs (20) is formed a passage (B) that connects the interior (I) of the bag body (2) with the discharge part (16), A spout container characterized in that the pair of leg pieces (20) are displaced so as to approach each other, leaving the passage opening (B) between the pair of leg pieces (20), by pushing the pair of main surface portions (5) inward, and are configured so that they elastically recover when the pushing operation is released, thereby pressing the main surface portions (5) outward from the inside, thereby expanding the bag body (2) from a compressed state.

2. The pair of legs (20) each have an operating portion (24) that comes into contact with the main surface portion (5) during the pushing operation, and are configured so that, upon release of the pushing operation, at least the operating portion (24) presses the main surface portion (5) outward in the thickness direction (T), 2. The spout container according to claim 1, wherein the actuation portion (24) is formed as a tip portion of the leg piece (20) in the vertical direction.

3. The pair of legs (20) each have an operating portion (24) that comes into contact with the main surface portion (5) during the pushing operation, and are configured so that, upon release of the pushing operation, at least the operating portion (24) presses the main surface portion (5) outward in the thickness direction (T), A spout container as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the pair of operating portions (24) are formed of opposing portions (26) facing each other and extension portions (28) extending alternately from these opposing portions (26) in the width direction (W).

4. The spout container according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of opposing portions (26) have abutment portions (n) that abut against each other by the pushing operation, and when the pushing operation is released from the state in which these abutment portions (n) abut against each other, each of the operating portions (24) presses the main surface portion (5) outward in the thickness direction (T).

5. The abutting portions (n) are formed as both side end portions (n) of each of the opposing portions (26) in the width direction (W), Furthermore, the pair of opposing portions (26) have a shape in which, when viewed from below, a middle portion (m) in the width direction (W) thereof bulges outward in the thickness direction (T) compared to a side end portion (n) in the width direction (W), 5. The spout container according to claim 4, wherein the passage opening (B) is defined between the pair of opposing portions (26).

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