Pouch container and method for manufacturing pouch container

Abstract

To provide a pouch container to which a spout can be satisfactorily attached by using a material having a high weight ratio of a single raw material.SOLUTION: The pouch container includes a container body including top gusset portion 14 and a barrel portion, and a spout provided at top gusset portion 14, wherein a mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, or a mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, the barrel portion includes a barrel-side laminated film having a barrel-side outermost layer and a barrel-side innermost layer, and top gusset portion 14 includes a top-side laminated film having a top-side outermost layer 61 and a top-side innermost layer 62. The spout includes a cylindrical part penetrating the top gusset part 14 and a flange part welded to the top base material innermost layer 62, the top base material outermost layer 61 is composed of a stretched film, and the melting point of the top base material outermost layer 61 is higher than the melting point of the body part outermost layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to pouch containers and methods of manufacturing pouch containers. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional pouch container, U.S. Patent No. 8,806,843 (Patent Document 1) discloses a container having a pair of side walls (first wall, second wall), a bottom gusset, a top gusset, and a spout attached to the top gusset. Such a pouch container is manufactured by joining multiple strip-shaped films while conveying them. International Publication No. 2022 / 158133 (Patent Document 2) also discloses a technology for manufacturing a pouch container by conveying a single belt-shaped film member equipped with a spout and joining a tubular film member to the film member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,806,843 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2022 / 158133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the use of so-called monomaterials, which increase the weight ratio of a single material, has been considered in order to reduce environmental impacts such as recycling. In pouch containers with a spout provided in the top gusset, the tubular portion of the spout is inserted into an opening provided in the film sheet that forms the top gusset, and the flange of the spout and the film sheet are sandwiched from the front side (outermost layer side) and the back side (innermost layer side) of the film sheet, and the flange is heat-sealed to the innermost layer of the film sheet. For this reason, if a spout and film sheet made of a polyolefin resin material such as a polyethylene resin, which is considered to be a preferred monomaterial material for packaging, are used without any special measures, there is a concern that the outermost layer of the film sheet will melt at the temperature required to weld the spout.

[0005] Furthermore, film sheets made of polyolefin resins, such as polyethylene resins, which have good heat-welding properties as mono-materials with a high ratio of a single material, tend to stretch easily, especially around the opening. This makes it difficult to stably attach the spout unless some countermeasure is taken.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a pouch container that uses a material with a high weight ratio of a single material and that can be easily fitted with a spout, and a method for manufacturing such a pouch container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A pouch container according to the present disclosure comprises a container body including a top gusset and a body joined to the periphery of the top gusset, and a spout attached to the top gusset. The mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, or the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more. The body includes a body-side laminate film having a body-side outermost layer located on the outer surface of the container body and containing the polyethylene or polyolefin, and a body-side innermost layer containing the polyethylene or polyolefin that forms part of the inner surface of the container body. The top gusset includes a top-side laminate film having a top-side outermost layer located on the outer surface of the container body and a top-side innermost layer that forms part of the inner surface of the container body. The spout includes a tubular portion penetrating the top gusset and a flange portion welded to the top-side innermost layer of the top gusset. The top-side outermost layer is made of a stretched film, and has a melting point higher than that of the body-side outermost layer.

[0008] In the pouch container according to the present disclosure, the outermost layer on the top side may be made of a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, a biaxially oriented nylon film, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene film.

[0009] In the pouch container according to the present disclosure, the body may have a first wall and a second wall facing each other. The first wall and the second wall may be joined at both ends in a width direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in which the first wall and the second wall are aligned. The top gusset may have an opening through which the tubular portion passes. When the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the top gusset is defined as the length direction, the maximum width of the opening in the length direction may be 2 / 3 or less of the length of the top gusset in the length direction.

[0010] In the pouch container according to the present disclosure, the body may have a first wall and a second wall facing each other. The first wall and the second wall may be joined at both ends in a width direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in which the first wall and the second wall are aligned. The container body may include a bottom gusset provided in a folded state between the first wall and the second wall. When the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the top gusset is defined as the length direction, the length of the top gusset in the length direction may be less than twice the length of the bottom gusset in the length direction when folded.

[0011] A method for manufacturing a pouch container according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: preparing a body-side laminated film sheet having a body-side outermost layer containing polyethylene or polyolefin and a body-side innermost layer containing polyethylene or polyolefin, and including a portion that will become the body; preparing a spout having a tubular portion and a flange portion provided at one end of the tubular portion; and transporting the top-side laminated film sheet having a top-side innermost layer and a top-side outermost layer made of a stretched film and having a higher melting point than the body-side outermost layer, and including a portion that will become the top gusset portion. forming an opening in the top-side laminate film sheet, inserting the tubular portion into the opening in the top-side laminate film sheet being fed and welding the flange portion to the innermost layer of the top side around the opening, and joining the body-side laminate film sheet to the top-side laminate film sheet to which the flange portion has been welded, to form a pouch container including a container body including the top gusset and a body joined to the periphery of the top gusset, and the spout fixed to the top gusset. The mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, or the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a pouch container that uses a material with a high weight ratio of a single material and to which a spout can be easily attached, and a method for manufacturing the pouch container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the pouch container according to the first embodiment after being filled with contents. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the pouch container according to the first embodiment in a folded state before being filled with contents. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first wall portion of the pouch container according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the top gusset of the pouch container according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the elastic modulus and melting point of films (layers) made of various materials, as well as the melting point of the spout. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing process of the pouch container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the steps up to joining a bag-shaped body to a film sheet in the step of forming a pouch container, among the manufacturing steps shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the steps from joining a bag-shaped body to a film sheet in the step of forming a pouch container to cutting out the pouch container, among the manufacturing steps shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the conditions and results of a verification experiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the conditions of a verification experiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the pouch container according to the second embodiment in a folded state before being filled with contents. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the pouch container according to embodiment 1 in a state after it has been filled with contents. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the pouch container according to embodiment 1 in a folded state before it has been filled with contents. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in Fig. 2. Note that Fig. 2 shows the pouch container before a cap 32, which will be described later, is attached, but Fig. 3 shows the pouch container after the cap 32 has been attached for convenience's sake. The pouch container according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0016] 1 to 3, the pouch container 1 according to the embodiment is a so-called spout-type pouch. More specifically, the pouch container 1 is a standing pouch having a bottom gusset 13 and a top gusset 14 that forms the top surface. The pouch container 1 is made of a single material with a weight ratio of 90% or more, and the weight ratio of a polyolefin resin material such as a polyethylene resin, which is considered to be particularly easy to recycle, is 90% or more.

[0017] The pouch container 1 has a first wall 11 and a second wall 12 as a body portion, a bottom gusset 13, and a top gusset 14. Note that, although the container body 10 of the pouch container 1 is illustrated as being made of multiple sheet-like films (each wall portion and each gusset portion is made of a sheet-like film), this is not limiting. For example, the body portion and the bottom gusset 13 may be made of a single sheet-like film.

[0018] The first wall 11 and the second wall 12 respectively constitute the front and back surfaces of the container. The first wall 11 and the second wall 12 face each other in the front-to-rear direction. The first wall 11 and the second wall 12 are joined at both ends in the width direction W, which is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] The bottom gusset portion 13 is inserted between the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12 at the lower side. The bottom gusset portion 13 constitutes a bottom gusset portion. In the folded state shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom gusset portion 13 is mountain-folded toward the interior of the container along crease lines 15 formed along the width direction W. Before being folded back (when the bottom gusset is opened and flattened), the dimension of the bottom gusset portion 13 in the length direction L perpendicular to the width direction W is, for example, 11 cm or less (5.5 cm or less in the state shown in Figure 2). The first wall portion 11, the second wall portion 12, and the bottom gusset portion 13 constitute a bag body 210 (see Figure 8), which will be described later. The length of the bottom gusset portion 13 is not limited to the above and can be set as appropriate.

[0020] The top gusset portion 14 forms the upper surface of the container. As described above, when the direction perpendicular to the width direction W is defined as the length direction L, the top gusset portion 14 has a shape in which the width direction W is the longitudinal direction and the length direction L is the short side direction. Note that, in the pouch container 1 before the contents are filled, the length direction L is approximately parallel to the direction from the lower end toward the upper end of the second wall portion 12.

[0021] The pouch container 1 has a storage space 17 for storing contents between a first wall 11 and a second wall 12 that face each other in the thickness direction (front-rear direction). The thickness direction is approximately parallel to the length direction L after the contents are filled. When the contents are filled into the storage space 17, the bottom gusset 13 unfolds, allowing the pouch container 1 to stand on its own. The contents to be filled may be, for example, liquid, granular, or powdery. Notches 13c are formed on both edges of the bottom gusset 13 in the width direction W.

[0022] A spout 30 for filling or removing contents is provided in the center of top hem 14. Spout 30 is composed of a spout 31 fixed to top hem 14 and a cap 32 screwed onto a threaded portion formed on the outer periphery of spout 31. Note that Fig. 2 shows spout 31 with cap 32 removed.

[0023] As described above, the top gusset portion 14 has a longitudinal shape with the width direction W as its longitudinal direction. In a folded state before filling with contents, the length of the top gusset portion 14 in the length direction L is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 11 cm or less when used for a small pouch container. More specifically, the length of the top gusset portion 14 may be 5 cm or more and 11 cm or less. By setting the length as described above, defects such as conveyance deviation due to stretching and wrinkles and waves that occur with stretching can be effectively suppressed when manufacturing a small pouch as the pouch container 1. Furthermore, when used for a small pouch container, the width of the width direction W of the top gusset portion 14 may be, for example, approximately 10 cm to 20 cm. Note that when the pouch container 1 is used as a container other than a small pouch container, the length of the top gusset portion 14 in the length direction L may be greater than 11 cm, and the width of the top gusset portion 14 may be greater than 20 cm.

[0024] The top crotch portion 14 has an opening 14h to which the spout 31 is attached. The maximum length of the opening 14h in the length direction L is, for example, 2 / 3 or less of the length of the top crotch portion 14 in the length direction L. The proportion of the opening 14h in the length direction L to the length of the top crotch portion may be 50% or less. For example, the maximum length of the opening 14h in the length direction L is, for example, approximately 2.5 cm to 3.6 cm.

[0025] The length of the top crotch portion 14 is equal to or greater than the maximum length of a flange portion 31b (described later) in the longitudinal direction L (the length between the ends of the flange portion 31b in the longitudinal direction) plus a joining margin between the top crotch portion 14 and the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12. For example, the length of the top crotch portion 14 is preferably equal to or greater than the maximum length of the opening 14h plus 2.5 cm. As an example, if the maximum length of the opening 14h is 2.5 cm, the length of the top crotch portion 14 may be 5.0 cm or greater, for example, 8.0 cm.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the shape of the opening 14h is illustrated as a circle, but is not limited thereto, and the shape of the opening 14h may be any suitable shape such as a rectangle, an ellipse, an oval, a polygon, or the like.

[0027] The spout 31 has a cylindrical portion 31a and a flange portion 31b. The cylindrical portion 31a penetrates the top crotch portion 14. The cylindrical portion 31a protrudes outward from the top crotch portion 14. The flange portion 31b is provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 31a. The flange portion 31b is joined (welded) to the top-side innermost layer 62 of the top crotch portion 14 (see FIG. 5) by thermocompression or the like. The outer shape of the flange portion 31b can be any suitable shape, such as a rectangle, circle, ellipse, oval, polygon, or the like.

[0028] The spout 31 is obtained by injection molding a polyethylene resin according to the material of the container body. When a polyethylene resin is used for the spout, HDPE (high density polyethylene) can be used as the polyethylene resin, but LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene), which can be welded at low temperature, is preferable. The polyethylene resin may also be LDPE (low density polyethylene).

[0029] Compared with LDPE, LLDPE provides greater welding strength, making it easier to adjust the welding temperature in the process of welding spout 31 to container body 10 (more specifically, the film sheet that constitutes top gusset portion 14), and is effective in suppressing deformation of spout 31. If heat resistance is required for the pouch container, such as for heat sterilization of the contents, HDPE is preferred, and if even greater heat resistance is required, polypropylene-based resins may be used.

[0030] The pouch container 1 includes a top seal portion 20, a bottom seal portion 21, a side seal portion 22, a lower point seal portion 19a, and an upper point seal portion 19b.

[0031] The top seal portion 20 joins the peripheral edge of the top crotch portion 14 to the upper edge of the first wall portion 11 and the upper edge of the second wall portion 12. The bottom seal portion 21 joins the peripheral edge of the bottom crotch portion 13 to the lower edge of the first wall portion 11 and the lower edge of the second wall portion 12.

[0032] The side seal portions 22 join the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12 on both sides in the width direction W. Specifically, the side seal portions 22 join the side edges of the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12 on both sides in the width direction W. The side seal portions 22 extend in the up-down direction.

[0033] The lower point seal portions 19a are formed at the boundary between the bottom seal portion 21 and the side seal portion 22 on both sides in the width direction W. The lower point seal portions 19a are provided so as to straddle both the bottom seal portion 21 and the side seal portion 22.

[0034] The upper point seal portions 19b are formed at the boundaries between the top seal portion 20 and the side seal portion 22 on both sides in the width direction W. The upper point seal portions 19b are provided so as to straddle both the top seal portion 20 and the side seal portion 22.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first wall portion of the pouch container according to embodiment 1. The first wall portion 11 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the second wall portion 12 and the bottom gusset portion 13 are configured in the same manner as the first wall portion 11, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The first wall 11 includes, for example, a body-side laminate film. The body-side laminate film includes a body-side outermost layer 41, a body-side innermost layer 42, a first intermediate layer 51, a second intermediate layer 52, and a third intermediate layer 53. The body-side outermost layer 41, the first intermediate layer 51, the second intermediate layer 52, the third intermediate layer 53, and the body-side innermost layer 42 are laminated in this order from the outside to the inside.

[0037] The body-side outermost layer 41 is located on the outer surface side of the container body 10. The body-side outermost layer 41 constitutes the outermost layer of the body-side laminate film. The body-side outermost layer 41 constitutes part of the outer surface of the container body 10. The first intermediate layer 51 is laminated on the body-side outermost layer 41. The first intermediate layer 51 is arranged between the second intermediate layer 52 and the body-side outermost layer 41. The second intermediate layer 52 is laminated on the first intermediate layer 51. The second intermediate layer 52 is arranged between the third intermediate layer 53 and the first intermediate layer 51. The third intermediate layer 53 is laminated on the second intermediate layer 52. The third intermediate layer 53 is located between the body-side innermost layer 42 and the second intermediate layer 52. The body-side innermost layer 42 is laminated on the third intermediate layer 53. The body-side innermost layer 42 constitutes part of the inner surface of the container body 10. An adhesive layer such as a dry laminate may be provided between each layer. Furthermore, a product name, design, instructions, etc. may be printed, for example, on the inner surface of the film constituting the body-side outermost layer 41. Furthermore, a heat-resistant transparent or matte coating may be provided on the outer surface of the body-side laminate film constituting the body-side outermost layer 41 by gravure printing, flexographic printing, or the like. That is, the first wall portion 11 may include a body-side laminate film and a coating layer formed on the outer surface of the body-side laminate film.

[0038] When the mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body 10 and the spout 31 is configured to be 90% or more and the first wall portion 11 is configured from the above five layers, the body-side outermost layer 41 can be a machine-direction oriented polyethylene (MDOPE) film stretched in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is parallel to the width direction W. The first intermediate layer 51 can be a biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) film stretched in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the length direction L. MDOPE and BOPE preferably contain high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The second intermediate layer 52 can be a barrier PE film, which is a layer of polyethylene-based resin with barrier properties. The barrier PE film is a polyethylene (PE) film with barrier properties. The barrier PE film is a film obtained by coating a stretched or non-stretched polyethylene resin film, such as LDPE, LLDPE, or HDPE, with a barrier agent (e.g., a solution of inorganic layered particles mixed in a polyvinyl alcohol resin), or a film obtained by vapor-depositing silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum, or the like onto a stretched or non-stretched polyethylene resin film, such as LDPE, LLDPE, or HDPE, to impart barrier properties. The second intermediate layer 52 may be a film (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE) obtained by co-extrusion of low-density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). The third intermediate layer 53 is a PE resin layer formed by extrusion lamination of LDPE resin or the like. Specifically, it is a PE resin sandwich laminate layer that joins the barrier PE film of the second intermediate layer 52 and the barrel-side innermost layer 42. An LLDPE film can be used as the barrel-side innermost layer 42. The barrel-side innermost layer 42 is a sealant layer, preferably a non-stretched film suitable for heat sealing. The body-side innermost layer 42 is not limited to a film, but may be a resin layer formed by extrusion lamination of LDPE resin or the like.

[0039] Furthermore, the first wall portion 11 is not limited to the five layers described above, and may be composed of three layers without the second intermediate layer 52 and the third intermediate layer 53. In this case, the body-side outermost layer 41 may be made of longitudinally uniaxially oriented polyethylene, as described above. The first intermediate layer 51 may be made of biaxially oriented polyethylene, as described above. The combination of the body-side outermost layer 41 and the first intermediate layer 51 may be reversed. The body-side innermost layer 42 may be made of the above-mentioned barrier PE film, which is a layer of polyethylene resin imparted with barrier properties (note that vapor deposition or coating with a barrier agent is located on the first intermediate layer 51 side), a co-extruded film of LDPE / EVOH / LDPE, a co-extruded film of LLDPE / EVOH / LLDPE, or an LLDPE film.

[0040] The first wall 11 may also be composed of two layers: a body-side outermost layer 41 and a body-side innermost layer 42. In this case, as described above, an MDOPE or BOPE film can be used as the body-side outermost layer 41. An LLDPE film can be used as the body-side innermost layer 42.

[0041] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the top gusset portion of the pouch container according to Embodiment 1. The top gusset portion 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0042] The top gusset portion 14 includes a top-side laminate film. The top-side laminate film includes a top-side outermost layer 61, a top-side innermost layer 62, a first intermediate layer 71, a second intermediate layer 72, and a third intermediate layer 73. The top-side outermost layer 61, the first intermediate layer 71, the second intermediate layer 72, the third intermediate layer 73, and the top-side innermost layer 62 are laminated in this order from the outside to the inside.

[0043] The top-side outermost layer 61 is located on the outer surface side of the container body 10. In this embodiment, the top-side outermost layer 61 constitutes part of the outer surface of the container body 10. The first intermediate layer 71 is laminated on the top-side outermost layer 61. The first intermediate layer 71 is arranged between the second intermediate layer 72 and the top-side outermost layer 61. The second intermediate layer 72 is laminated on the first intermediate layer 71. The second intermediate layer 72 is arranged between the third intermediate layer 73 and the first intermediate layer 71. The third intermediate layer 73 is laminated on the second intermediate layer 72. The third intermediate layer 73 is located between the top-side innermost layer 62 and the second intermediate layer 72. The top-side innermost layer 62 is laminated on the third intermediate layer 73. The top-side innermost layer 62 constitutes part of the inner surface of the container body 10. An adhesive layer such as a dry laminate may be provided between each layer. In addition, printing of a product name, design, explanation, etc. may be provided, for example, on the inner surface of the film constituting the top-side outermost layer 61. In addition, a heat-resistant transparent or matte coating may be provided on the outer surface of the film constituting the top-side outermost layer 61 by gravure printing, flexographic printing, etc. In other words, the top gusset 14 may include a top-side laminate film and a coating layer formed on the outer surface of the top-side laminate film.

[0044] When the mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body 10 and spout 31 is configured to be 90% or more, and when the first wall portion 11 is configured from the above five layers, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film, a NY (nylon) film, or an OPP (oriented polypropylene) film can be used as the top-side outermost layer 61. These PET films, NY films, and OPP films are biaxially oriented films stretched in the above-mentioned longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0045] The first intermediate layer 71 may be a biaxially oriented polyethylene film. The second intermediate layer 72 may be the barrier PE film described above. The second intermediate layer 72 may be a co-extruded film of low-density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE). The third intermediate layer 73 is a PE resin layer formed by extrusion lamination of LDPE resin or the like. Specifically, it is a PE resin sandwich laminate layer that joins the barrier PE film of the second intermediate layer 72 and the innermost top base layer 62. The innermost top layer 62 may be an LLDPE film. The innermost top layer 62 is a sealant layer, and is preferably a non-oriented film suitable for heat sealing. The innermost top layer 62 is not limited to a film, and may be a resin layer formed by extrusion lamination of LDPE resin or the like.

[0046] Furthermore, the top gusset portion 14 is not limited to the five layers described above, and may be composed of three or four layers without the second intermediate layer 72 and / or the third intermediate layer 73. In this case, the top-side outermost layer 61 may be a PET film, a NY film, or an OPP film. In this case, the PET film, the NY film, or the OPP film is also biaxially stretched. As described above, the first intermediate layer 71 may be a biaxially stretched polyethylene film. As the top-side innermost layer 62, the above-mentioned barrier PE film, a co-extruded film of LDPE / EVOH / LDPE, a co-extruded film of LLDPE / EVOH / LLDPE, or an LLDPE film may be used.

[0047] The top gusset portion 14 may also be composed of two layers: a top-side outermost layer 61 and a top-side innermost layer 62. In this case, the top-side outermost layer 61 may be made of a PET film, a NY film, or an OPP film, as described above. In this case, the PET film, the NY film, or the OPP film is also biaxially stretched. The top-side innermost layer 62 may be made of an LLDPE film.

[0048] In the above description, the mass ratio of polyethylene contained in container body 10 and spout 31 is 90% or more, but this is not limitative, and the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in container body 10 and spout 31 may be 90% or more. In this case, the polyethylene-based resin portion exemplified in the above five-layer structure, three-layer structure, two-layer structure, etc. is not limited to polyethylene, and may be formed of polyolefin-based resin including polypropylene-based resin.

[0049] Specifically, in the first wall portion 11, an OPP film can be used as the outermost body layer 41. A biaxially oriented polypropylene (VMOPP) film having an aluminum vapor deposition layer or a silica vapor deposition layer, or a PE film can be used as the first intermediate layer 51. An LLDPE film can be used as the innermost body layer 42.

[0050] In the top gusset portion 14, the top-side outermost layer 61 can be made of a PET film or a NY film, which has a higher melting point than the polypropylene-based resin of the OPP film. Even in this case, the PET film or the NY film is biaxially stretched. The first intermediate layer 71 can be made of a VMOPP film or a PE film. The top-side innermost layer 62 can be made of an LLDPE film. A barrier layer may be provided between the first intermediate layer 71 and the top-side innermost base layer 62. In this case, the barrier layer may be a polyethylene-based resin layer imparted with barrier properties, such as a film obtained by co-extrusion of low-density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE), a polyethylene-based resin film coated with a barrier agent (e.g., a solution of polyvinyl alcohol resin mixed with inorganic layered particles), or a polyethylene-based film vapor-deposited with silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum, or the like to impart barrier properties.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the elastic modulus and melting point of films (layers) made of various materials, as well as the melting point of the spout.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic modulus of a biaxially stretched PET film is, for example, about 3400 MPa, and the melting point of the polyester resin forming the biaxially stretched PET film is, for example, about 250°C to 270°C. The elastic modulus of a biaxially stretched NY film is, for example, about 1500 MPa, and the melting point of the polyamide resin forming the biaxially stretched NY film is, for example, about 210°C to 230°C. The elastic modulus of a biaxially stretched OPP film is, for example, about 2800 MPa, and the melting point of the polypropylene resin forming the biaxially stretched OPP film is, for example, about 150°C to 180°C. The elastic modulus of a uniaxially stretched PE film is, for example, about 1500 MPa, and the melting point of the uniaxially stretched PE film is, for example, about 120°C to 140°C. The elastic modulus of a biaxially stretched PE film is, for example, about 900 MPa, and the melting point of the biaxially stretched PE film is, for example, about 120°C to 140°C. The spout is made of LLDPE, and the melting point of the spout is, for example, about 110° C. to 140° C. The elastic modulus is determined, for example, by a method in accordance with JIS-K-7161.

[0053] As described above, in either case where the mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body 10 and the spout 31 is 90% or more, or where the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body 10 and the spout 31 is 90% or more, the outermost layer 61 on the top side of the top gusset portion 14 is a stretched film, and the melting point of the resin forming it is higher than the melting point of the outermost layer 41 on the body side of the first wall portion 11 and the melting point of the spout 31.

[0054] This prevents the top-side outermost layer 61 of the top crotch portion 14 from melting at the temperature at which the spout 31 is welded when the spout 31 is heat-sealed to the top crotch portion 14. Specifically, the tubular portion 31a of the spout 31 is inserted into the opening 14h provided in the film sheet that becomes the top crotch portion 14, and the flange portion 31b of the spout 31 and the film sheet are sandwiched from the front side (outermost layer side) and back side (innermost layer side) of the film sheet, and then heated and pressed from the front side to heat-seal the flange portion 31b to the top-side innermost layer 62 of the film sheet. This prevents the top crotch portion 14 from having wrinkles or holes, allowing the spout 31 to be attached well while maintaining a high level of design.

[0055] The melting points of the biaxially oriented PET film and the biaxially oriented NY film are higher than the melting point of the OPP film, and by using the biaxially oriented PET film and the biaxially oriented NY film as the outermost layer 61 on the top side, the above effects can be more effectively achieved than with the biaxially oriented OPP film.

[0056] Furthermore, by forming the top-side outermost layer 61 of the top gusset portion 14 from a biaxially stretched film, when the spout 31 is fixed to the film sheet while the film sheet that forms the top gusset portion 14 is being transported, the film sheet is prevented from stretching or wrinkling, improving the mechanical suitability of the film sheet, thereby enabling the spout 31 to be stably fixed.

[0057] The mass ratio of polyethylene or polyolefin contained in the container body 10 and the spout 31 can be calculated from the area of ​​each wall portion and each crotch portion, the thickness of each layer constituting each wall portion and each crotch portion, and the specific gravity of the components of each layer, as described below.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram showing the manufacturing process of the pouch container according to embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process shown in Fig. 7 up to the step of joining a bag-shaped body to a film sheet in the step of forming a pouch container. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process shown in Fig. 7 up to the step of cutting out the pouch container after joining a bag-shaped body to a film sheet in the step of forming a pouch container. A manufacturing method of the pouch container 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

[0059] 7 and 8, when manufacturing a pouch container 1, in step (S10), a body-side laminate film sheet is prepared, which includes a body-side outermost layer 41 containing polyethylene or polyolefin and a body-side innermost layer 42 containing polyethylene or polyolefin, and which includes a portion that will become the body. In this embodiment, the body-side laminate film sheet is used to form a bag body 210 in which the above-mentioned first wall 11, second wall 12, and bottom gusset 13 are joined together in a bag shape. The bag body 210 may be formed from a single body-side laminate film sheet, or may be formed by joining multiple sheets (for example, a body-side laminate film sheet and a bottom gusset laminate film sheet).

[0060] In step (S11), spout 31 having cylindrical portion 31a and flange portion 31b is prepared. The prepared spout 31 is supplied to the attachment position by spout supply device 120.

[0061] In step (S21), a strip-shaped top-side laminate film sheet 84 is conveyed. The top-side laminate film sheet 84 includes a portion that will become the above-mentioned top gusset portion 14, and has the same layer structure as the top gusset portion 14. That is, the top-side laminate film sheet 84 has an innermost layer and an outermost layer, and the melting point of the outermost layer is higher than the melting point of the innermost layer and the melting point of the spout 31. The outermost layer is made of a stretched film.

[0062] The top-side laminate film sheet 84 is conveyed in a conveying direction (DR1 direction) by a conveying device (not shown). The conveying direction is parallel to the width direction W of the top gusset portion 14. The top-side laminate film sheet 84 is conveyed above the bag body 210.

[0063] Subsequently, in step (S22), openings 14h are formed in top-side laminated film sheet 84. Specifically, openings 14h for attaching spouts 31 are formed by punching device 150.

[0064] Next, in step (S30), the flange portion 31b of the spout 31 is welded to the innermost layer of the top-side laminate film sheet 84. Specifically, first, the spout 31 is supplied to the opening 14h from the spout supply device 120, and the tubular portion 31a is inserted into the opening 14h of the transported top-side laminate film sheet 84. Next, the flange portion 31b is welded to the innermost layer of the top-side laminate film sheet 84 around the opening 14h using the first joining device 160. The first joining device 160 includes a first head 161 equipped with a heating jig such as a hot plate, and a second head 162 serving as a receiving table. The first head 161 and the second head 162 face each other in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the transport direction). The first head 161 and the second head 162 sandwich the top-side laminate film sheet 84 and the flange portion 31b, and heat-weld the flange portion 31b to the innermost layer of the base material of the top-side laminate film sheet 84. The temperature for heat welding varies depending on the material and thickness of the top-side laminate film sheet 84 and the flange portion 31b of the spout 31, but is, for example, about 180°C to 240°C for 0.5 to 2.5 seconds. To ensure reliable welding, a step of heat-compression bonding may be performed multiple times, such as twice, and a step of sandwiching the material between cooling heads for cooling after heat-compression bonding may also be provided.

[0065] In this case, because the outermost layer of the top-side laminate film sheet 84 has a melting point higher than that of the innermost layer and the spout 31, it is possible to prevent the outermost layer from melting due to the heat of welding, and to prevent wrinkles and holes from occurring in the top-side laminate film sheet 84. Furthermore, because the outermost layer is made of a stretched film, it is possible to prevent the top-side laminate film sheet 84 from stretching or wrinkles from occurring in the top-side laminate film sheet 84 due to the tension acting during transport, and it is possible to attach the spout 31 stably and well.

[0066] Next, in step (S31), the pouch container 1 is formed. Specifically, the body side laminate film sheet is joined to the top side laminate film sheet 84 to which the flange portion 31b has been welded, to form the pouch container 1 including the container body 10 including the top gusset portion 14 and the body joined to the periphery of the top gusset portion 14, and the spout 31 fixed to the top gusset portion 14. In this embodiment, the bag body 210 made of the body side laminate film sheet is joined to the top side laminate film sheet 84.

[0067] In step (S31), the bag body 210 made of the body-side film sheet is transported to a joining station along the conveyance direction (DR2 direction) below the top-side film sheet 84. The joining station is an area where the top-side film sheet 84 and the bag body 210 are joined. The bag bodies 210 are transported one by one to the joining station and joined to the top-side film sheet 84.

[0068] The bag body 210 is transported to the joining station with the joining margin 214 expanded. The joining margin 214 is formed by folding back the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12 in portions located above the upper end of the side seal portion 22.

[0069] The top-side film sheet 84 and the bag body 210 are joined by a second joining device 191. The second joining device 191 includes a pair of joining heads 191A and 191B. These joining heads 191A and 191B sandwich the joining margin 214 of the bag body 210 and the portion of the top-side film sheet 84 that overlaps the joining margin 214. This forms the container body 10, which includes the top gusset 14 and the bag body 210 joined to the periphery of the top gusset 14.

[0070] Instead of a pre-formed tubular bag body 210, a strip-shaped body-side laminate film sheet that will become the first wall 11 and second wall 12 of the bag body 210 may be supplied to the joining station, and the top-side laminate film sheet 84 that will become the top gusset 14 may be overlapped on the joining margins of the laminate film sheets of the first wall 11 and the second wall 12 and joined by heat welding, after which the side seal portions may be joined. At this time, multiple bag bodies 210 may be connected.

[0071] 7 and 9, the lower point seal portion 19a and the upper point seal portion 19b are then formed by a third joining device 192. The lower point seal portion 19a and the upper point seal portion 19b may be formed simultaneously or separately.

[0072] Next, in step (S32), pouch containers 1 are cut out, each including container body 10 including top gusset portion 14 and bag body 210 joined to the periphery of top gusset portion 14, and spout 31 fixed to top gusset portion 14. Specifically, the group of bag bodies arranged in a row in the conveyance direction is cut at predetermined intervals using cutting device 193, and individualized pouch containers 1 are taken out.

[0073] The pouch container 1 is manufactured through the above-mentioned steps. Note that the step of cutting off the outer periphery of the top seal portion 20 can be performed in combination with each of the above steps. The manufactured pouch container 1 can be used by filling the bag body with a predetermined content through the spout 31 and attaching the cap 32 to the spout 31.

[0074] (Verification experiment) Fig. 10 shows the conditions and results of the verification experiment. Fig. 11 shows details of the conditions of the verification experiment. The verification experiment will be explained with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. In Fig. 11, " / / " indicates dry lamination using an adhesive, and " / PE (20 μm) / " indicates extrusion lamination of a PE resin layer.

[0075] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in verification experiments, pouch containers according to Reference Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1 to 5 were manufactured, the weight ratio of polyethylene or polyolefin in the pouch containers was calculated, and the attachment property of the spout during manufacturing was evaluated.

[0076] In the pouch container according to Reference Example 1, a combination of Configuration 1 and Configuration 1 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0077] In the pouch container according to Reference Example 2, a combination of Configuration 2 and Configuration 2 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0078] In the pouch container according to Example 1, a combination of Configuration 1 and Configuration 2 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0079] In the pouch container according to Example 2, a combination of Configuration 3 and Configuration 2 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0080] In the pouch container according to Example 3, a combination of Configuration 6 and Configuration 2 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0081] In the pouch container according to Example 4, a combination of Configuration 5 and Configuration 4 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0082] In the pouch container according to Example 5, a combination of Configuration 7 and Configuration 6 was adopted for the top gusset portion 14 and the bag body 210.

[0083] Configuration 1 had a four-layer structure, with biaxially oriented PET film, VMPET film, biaxially oriented NY film, and LLDPE film laminated in this order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. In Configuration 1, the thickness of the biaxially oriented PET film was 12 μm, the thickness of the VMPET film was 12 μm, the thickness of the biaxially oriented NY film was 15 μm, and the thickness of the LLDPE film was 150 μm. The total thickness of Configuration 1 was 189 μm. The VMPET film was a biaxially oriented PET film with aluminum vapor deposition.

[0084] When configuration 1 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, and as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is set to be approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0085] Configuration 2 had a five-layer structure, with the MDOPE film, BOPE film, co-extruded film, PE resin layer, and LLDPE film laminated in this order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. In Configuration 2, the MDOPE film was 25 μm thick, the BOPE film was 25 μm thick, the co-extruded film was 50 μm thick, the PE resin layer was 20 μm thick, and the LLDPE film was 70 μm thick. The total thickness of Configuration 2 was 190 μm. As mentioned above, the co-extruded film was a film co-extruded with low-density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE).

[0086] When configuration 2 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, but as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made slightly higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0087] Configuration 3 had a five-layer structure, with the biaxially oriented PET film, BOPE film, co-extruded film, PE resin layer, and LLDPE film laminated in this order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. In Configuration 3, the thickness of the biaxially oriented PET film was 12 μm, the thickness of the BOPE film was 25 μm, the thickness of the co-extruded film was 50 μm, the thickness of the PE resin layer was 20 μm, and the thickness of the LLDPE film was 70 μm. The total thickness of Configuration 3 was 177 μm. As mentioned above, the co-extruded film was a film co-extruded with low-density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (LDPE / EVOH / LDPE).

[0088] When configuration 3 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, and as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is set to be approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0089] Configuration 4 had a two-layer structure, with an MDOPE film and an LLDPE film laminated in that order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. The MDOPE film was 25 μm thick, and the LLDPE film was 150 μm thick. The total thickness of Configuration 4 was 175 μm.

[0090] Configuration 5 had a two-layer structure, with a biaxially oriented PET film and an LLDPE film laminated in that order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. The PET film was 12 μm thick, and the LLDPE film was 150 μm thick. The total thickness of Configuration 4 was 162 μm.

[0091] When configuration 5 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, and as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is set to be approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0092] Configuration 6 had a three-layer structure, with a biaxially oriented OPP film, a VMOPP film, and an LLDPE film laminated in that order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. The thickness of the biaxially oriented OPP film was 20 μm, the VMOPP film was 18 μm, and the LLDPE film was 150 μm. The total thickness of Configuration 6 was 188 μm.

[0093] When configuration 6 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, and as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is set to be approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0094] Configuration 7 had a three-layer structure, with a biaxially oriented PET film, a VMOPP film, and an LLDPE film laminated in that order from the outermost layer of the laminate film to the innermost layer of the laminate film. The thickness of the biaxially oriented PET film was 12 μm, the VMOPP film was 18 μm, and the LLDPE film was 150 μm. The total thickness of Configuration 7 was 180 μm.

[0095] When configuration 7 is adopted for the top gusset portion, the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is made of a stretched film, and as shown in Figure 6 above, the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is higher than the melting point of the spout 31. In addition, the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset portion 14 is set to be approximately the same as the melting point of the spout 31.

[0096] In the above, the weight ratio of PE or PO contained in the container body 10 without a spout was calculated from the specific gravity, thickness, and area of ​​each film, and the weight ratio of PE or PO contained in the container body 10 and spout 31 with a spout was calculated.

[0097] In the above calculation, the specific gravity of each film was set to 1.4 g / cm for biaxial PET film. 3 The specific gravity of VMPET film is 1.4 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of NY film is 1.4 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of LLDPE is 0.91 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of the MDOPE film is 0.94 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of BOPE is 0.91 g / cm 3 The specific gravities of PE, EVOH, and PE contained in the co-extruded layer were set to 0.91 g / cm 3 , 1.19g / cm 3 , 0.91g / cm 3 The specific gravity of the PE resin layer is 0.91 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of the biaxially stretched OPP film is 0.91 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of the VMOPP film is 0.91 g / cm 3 The specific gravity of the adhesive used to bond each film and the ink printed on the specified film was 1.13 g / cm 3 The thickness of the ink was 1 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive was 3 μm. The thickness of the ink and adhesive was not included in the total thickness of each of the above components, and the adhesive, etc. were included in the calculation of the weight ratio in the case of dry lamination.

[0098] The area of ​​the ceiling gusset 14 is 9546 mm 2 The area of ​​the bag body 210 is 76479 mm 2 The spout 31 was made of LLDPE and had a weight of 7.31 g.

[0099] Based on the above values, the weight ratio of PE was calculated for Reference Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1 to 4. For Example 5, the weight ratio of PO was calculated.

[0100] Specifically, for Reference Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1 to 4, when no spout was present, the weight of container body 10 and the weights of LLDPE, MDOPE, BOPE, and PE contained in container body 10 were calculated, and the weight ratios of LLDPE, MDOPE, BOPE, and PE to the weight of container body 10 were calculated as the PE weight ratio. When a spout was present, the weight ratios of LLDPE, MDOPE, BOPE, PE, and the spout to the total weight obtained by adding the weight of container body 10 to the weight of the spout were calculated as the PE weight ratio.

[0101] For Example 5, when no spout was present, the weight of container body 10 and the weights of OPP, VMOPP, and LLDPE contained in container body 10 were calculated, and the weight ratios of OPP, VMOPP, and LLDPE to the weight of container body 10 were calculated as the PO weight ratio. When a spout was present, the weight ratios of OPP, VMOPP, and LLDPE to the total weight obtained by adding the weight of the spout to the weight of container body 10 were calculated as the PO weight ratio.

[0102] Furthermore, based on the above-mentioned method for producing pouch containers, Reference Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1 to 5 were produced, and the attachment properties of the spouts were evaluated.

[0103] In Reference Example 1, the PE weight ratio was 69% without a spout, and 78% with a spout. During production, sealing was possible at high temperatures (approximately 230°C in this evaluation), and the spout 31 could be firmly welded (attached) in a short time (approximately 1.5 seconds in this evaluation), and the attachability of the spout 31 was good.

[0104] In Reference Example 2, the PE weight ratio was 92% without the spout, and 94% with the spout. Meanwhile, in Reference Example 2, although there was a slight difference between the melting point of the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film of the top gusset 14 and the melting point of the spout, the difference was small, making it difficult to seal at high temperatures. Therefore, sealing had to be performed at a relatively low temperature (approximately 180°C) compared to the Examples, which required time (more than 3 seconds), and the temperature range in which sealing was possible was narrow and difficult to control. Therefore, the attachment of the spout 31 was deemed unsuitable.

[0105] In Example 1, the PE weight ratio was 89% without a spout, and 92% with a spout. During production, sealing was possible at high temperatures, and the spout 31 could be firmly welded (attached) in a short time, and the attachability of the spout 31 was good.

[0106] In Example 2, the PE weight ratio was 92% without a spout, and 94% with a spout. During production, sealing was possible at high temperatures, and the spout 31 could be firmly welded (attached) in a short time, and the attachability of the spout 31 was good.

[0107] In Example 3, the PE weight ratio was 90% without a spout and 93% with a spout. The biaxially oriented OPP film constituting the top-side outermost layer of the top-side laminate film had a lower melting point than the biaxially oriented PET in Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, the sealing temperature was lower than in Examples 1 and 2. However, because the melting point of the biaxially oriented OPP film differs from that of the PE resin constituting the spout, etc., the time required to seal the spout (takt time) was longer than in Examples 1 and 2, but the spout could be attached without damage to the top-side outermost layer. Therefore, the attachability of the spout 31 was evaluated as acceptable.

[0108] In Example 4, the PE weight ratio was 96% without a spout, and 97% with a spout. During production, sealing was possible at high temperatures, and the spout 31 could be firmly welded (attached) in a short time, and the attachability of the spout 31 was good.

[0109] In Example 5, the PO weight ratio was 95% without a spout, and the PE weight ratio was 96% with a spout. During production, sealing was possible at high temperatures, and the spout 31 could be firmly welded (attached) in a short time, and the attachability of the spout 31 was good.

[0110] As described above, in the verification experiments, it was confirmed that when the mass ratio of polyethylene or polyolefin contained in the container body 10 and the spout 31 is 90% or more, the spout 31 can be attached well by constructing the top-side outermost layer 61 of the top-side laminated film of the top gusset portion 14 from a stretched film and making the melting point of the top-side outermost layer 61 higher than the melting point of the top-side innermost layer of the top-side laminated film of the top gusset portion 14 and the melting point of the spout 31.

[0111] (Embodiment 2) 12 is a diagram showing a folded state of a pouch container according to embodiment 2 before being filled with contents. Referring to FIG. 12, a pouch container 1A according to embodiment 2 will be described.

[0112] 12, when compared with the pouch container 1 according to the first embodiment, the pouch container 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the pouch container 1 according to the first embodiment in that the relationship between the length of the top crotch portion 14 and the length of the bottom crotch portion 13 in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, the length L1 of the top crotch portion 14 is shorter than the length of the bottom crotch portion 13 in the longitudinal direction L. The other configurations are substantially the same.

[0113] In the second embodiment, before the contents are filled, the length L1 of the top crotch portion 14 in the longitudinal direction L may be less than twice the length L2 of the bottom crotch portion 13 in the longitudinal direction L when folded back. Specifically, for example, the length L1 of the top crotch portion 14 may be about 5.0 cm to 8.0 cm, and the length L2 of the bottom crotch portion 13 may be about 4.5 cm.

[0114] The length of the top crotch portion 14 is equal to or greater than the maximum length of the flange portion 31b in the longitudinal direction L (the length between the ends of the flange portion 31b in the longitudinal direction) plus the joining margins between the top crotch portion 14 and the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12. For example, the length of the top crotch portion 14 is preferably equal to or greater than the maximum length of the opening 14h plus 2.5 cm.

[0115] This configuration reduces the area (and therefore the volume) of the top gusset portion 14 shown in the container body 10. This reduces the weight of the outermost layer 61 of the top gusset portion 14, which is made of a film sheet made of a material other than polyethylene or polyolefin.

[0116] As a result, the pouch container 1A of embodiment 2 has a higher weight ratio of polyethylene or polyolefin contained in the container body 10 and spout 31 than the pouch container 1 of embodiment 1, thereby improving recyclability.

[0117] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1,1A pouch container, 10 container body, 11 first wall portion, 12 second wall portion, 13 bottom crotch portion, 14 top crotch portion, 14h opening, 15 fold line, 17 storage space, 19a lower point seal portion, 19b upper point seal portion, 20 top seal portion, 21 bottom seal portion, 22 side seal portion, 30 spout, 31 spout, 31a tubular portion, 31b flange portion, 32 cap, 41 body side outermost layer, 42 body side innermost layer, 51 first intermediate layer, 52 second intermediate layer, 53 third intermediate layer, 61 top side outermost layer, 62 top side innermost layer, 71 first intermediate layer, 72 second intermediate layer, 73 third intermediate layer, 84 top side film sheet, 120 spout supply device, 150 Hole punching device, 160 first joining device, 161 first head, 162 second head, 191 second joining device, 191A, 191B joining heads, 192 third joining device, 193 cutting device, 210 bag body, L length direction, W width direction.

Claims

1. a container body including a top crotch portion and a body portion joined to the periphery of the top crotch portion; A spout provided in the top grommet portion, The mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, or the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, the body includes a body-side laminate film having a body-side outermost layer located on the outer surface side of the container body and containing the polyethylene or polyolefin, and a body-side innermost layer containing the polyethylene or polyolefin and constituting a part of the inner surface of the container body, The top gusset portion includes a top-side laminate film having a top-side outermost layer located on the outer surface side of the container body and a top-side innermost layer constituting a part of the inner surface of the container body, The spout includes a cylindrical portion that penetrates the top grommet portion and a flange portion that is welded to the top-side innermost layer of the top grommet portion, The outermost layer on the top side is made of a stretched film, The pouch container has a melting point of the outermost layer on the top side higher than a melting point of the outermost layer on the body side.

2. 2. The pouch container according to claim 1, wherein the outermost layer on the top side is made of a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, a biaxially oriented nylon film, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene film.

3. The body portion has a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other, the first wall portion and the second wall portion are joined at both end portions in a width direction perpendicular to a front-rear direction in which the first wall portion and the second wall portion are aligned, The top crotch portion has an opening through which the cylindrical portion passes, 3. The pouch container according to claim 1, wherein, when a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the top gusset portion is defined as a length direction, the maximum width of the opening in the length direction is 2 / 3 or less of the length of the top gusset portion in the length direction.

4. The body portion has a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other, the first wall portion and the second wall portion are joined at both end portions in a width direction perpendicular to a front-rear direction in which the first wall portion and the second wall portion are aligned, the container body includes a bottom gusset portion that is folded back between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, 3. The pouch container according to claim 1, wherein, when a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the top gusset portion is defined as a length direction, the length of the top gusset portion in the length direction is less than twice the length of the bottom gusset portion in the length direction when folded back.

5. preparing a body-side laminate film sheet having a body-side outermost layer containing polyethylene or polyolefin and a body-side innermost layer containing polyethylene or polyolefin, the body-side laminate film sheet including a portion that will become the body; Preparing a spout having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion provided at one end of the cylindrical portion; a step of conveying a top-side laminated film sheet including a portion that will become a top gusset portion, the top-side laminated film sheet having an innermost top-side layer and an outermost top-side layer that is made of a stretched film and has a higher melting point than the outermost body-side layer; forming an opening in the top-side laminated film sheet; a step of inserting the tubular portion into the opening of the top-side laminated film sheet being conveyed, and welding the flange portion to the top-side innermost layer of the portion located around the opening; a step of joining the body portion side laminate film sheet to the top portion side laminate film sheet to which the flange portion has been welded, to form a pouch container including a container body including the top hem portion and a body portion joined to the periphery of the top hem portion, and the spout fixed to the top hem portion; A method for producing a pouch container, wherein the mass ratio of polyethylene contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more, or the mass ratio of polyolefin contained in the container body and the spout is 90% or more.

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