Lateral gusset pouch

Abstract

To provide a lateral gusset type pouch which suppresses the occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of a lower end connection part of a lateral gusset film.SOLUTION: In at least one of the side gusset films 50 on both left and right sides, a lower side inclined edge part 54b has a bending guide part 54b - 1 and a lower end side connecting part 54b - 2 for connecting a lower end of the bending guide part 53a - 1 and a lower end connecting part 54b. The lower end side connecting portion 54b-2 connects the lower end of the bend inducing portion 53b - 1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a so that the lower end coupling portion L1 is located below a first imaginary intersection 54b at which a central imaginary line L2 passing through the upper end coupling portion P1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a intersects with a bending imaginary line 54b defined by the bend inducing portion - 1, and the bottom seal 24 has a folding control seal portion located above both left and right end portions of the bottom seal 24. 53a 24a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontal gusset pouch having side gusset films disposed on both the left and right side portions of the pouch. [Background technology]

[0002] Previously, the present applicant has proposed in Patent Document 1 a horizontal gusset-type pouch having side gusset films on both the left and right sides that are heat-sealed to the front and back films by side seals as a container for storing liquid contents such as drinking water or liquid detergent.

[0003] The side gusset film of the horizontal gusset pouch disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a front sealed area that is heat-sealed to the front film, a back sealed area that is heat-sealed to the back film, and a non-sealed area that is the area inside the front sealed area and the back sealed area, and the non-sealed area has a bottom end connecting portion that connects the bottom end of the front outer edge that is the boundary with the front sealed area to the bottom end of the back outer edge that is the boundary with the back sealed area. The lower end connecting portion is located at the bottom of the pouch when the liquid content storage portion is filled with the liquid content and the pouch body is inflated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-132177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it has been confirmed that when pressure is applied to the horizontal gusset pouch disclosed in Patent Document 1 while the pouch is filled with liquid contents, the heat-sealed films peel apart near the lower end joint of the side gusset films, which is known as delamination. When this delamination occurs, the seal between the films breaks, which may result in leakage of the liquid contents.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention solves these problems and aims to provide a horizontal gusset-type pouch with a simple configuration that suppresses delamination near the lower end connecting portion of the side gusset film, which is the area located at the bottom of the pouch when the content liquid storage section is filled with content liquid and the pouch body is inflated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The horizontal gusset pouch of the present invention is a horizontal gusset pouch comprising a front film, a back film, side gusset films on both left and right sides that are disposed between the front and back films and are heat-sealed to the front and back films by side seals, and a bottom seal that is formed contiguous to the side seals on both left and right sides at the bottom of the pouch, wherein the side gusset films have a front-side sealed region that is heat-sealed to the front film at the side seals, a back-side sealed region that is heat-sealed to the back film at the side seals, and a non-sealed region that is a region inside the front-side sealed region and the back-side sealed region, and the non-sealed region has a front-side outer edge that is a boundary with the front-side sealed region, and a back-side outer edge that is a boundary with the back-side sealed region, and the front-side outer edge and the back-side outer edge each have a base edge that is disposed at a distance from each other in the front-back direction, and a region that extends from the upper end of the base edge to the front-side outer edge and the back-side outer edge and an upper inclined edge portion extending from the lower end of the base edge portion to an upper end connecting portion connecting the upper ends of the back side outer edges, and a lower inclined edge portion extending from the lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end connecting portion connecting the lower ends of the front side outer edge and the back side outer edge, and at least one of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides has a folding guide portion that guides the folding of the side gusset film when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion, and a lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end connecting portion. The problem is solved by having a lower end connection portion that connects the lower end of the bend guide portion and the lower end connection portion, and the lower end connection portion connects the lower end of the bend guide portion and the lower end connection portion so that the lower end connection portion is located lower than a first virtual intersection where a central virtual line passing through the upper end connection portion and the lower end connection portion intersects with a bend virtual line defined by the bend guide portion, and the bottom seal has a folding control seal portion that is located higher than both its left and right ends. In the above-mentioned horizontal gusset pouch, both of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides have the lower end connection portion, and the folding control seal portion may be formed so that, when the horizontal gusset pouch is folded so that the inner surfaces of the front film and the back film are in contact with each other, the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion is in contact with an imaginary line connecting the first imaginary intersection points on both the left and right sides in the left-right direction. In any of the horizontal gusset pouches described above, the folding control seal portion may have an uppermost portion of its upper edge that extends linearly in the left-right direction. In any of the horizontal gusset pouches described above, a lower unsealed portion may be formed below the folding control seal portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, with a simple configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of delamination near the lower end connection part of the side gusset film, which is the part located at the bottom of the pouch when the content liquid storage section is filled with content liquid and the pouch body is inflated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a horizontal gusset pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention is placed on a placement surface. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing each film that constitutes a horizontal gusset pouch. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the side gusset films. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing one lower portion of the side gusset film. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing one upper portion of the side gusset film. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the other side gusset film. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram showing the other lower portion of the side gusset film. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing the other upper portion of the side gusset film. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a horizontal gusset pouch is placed on a placement surface. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a bottom seal. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a folding control seal portion is not formed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the bottom seal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A horizontal gusset pouch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The horizontal gusset pouch 10 is for containing liquid contents such as drinking water or liquid detergent, and as shown in FIG. 1, is configured as a pouch with gusset portions formed on both the left and right sides of the pouch in the left-right direction Z, and is configured so that the liquid contents can be poured out from a spout 70 attached to the side of the pouch body 20.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal gusset pouch 10 has a pouch body 20 formed into a bag shape by heat welding flexible films 30, 40, 50, and 60 to form a bag-making seal portion, an inner film 60 placed inside the pouch body 20, and a spout 70 attached to the pouch body 20.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pouch body 20 has a front film 30 and a back film 40 that are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction X with the content liquid storage section 21 in between, and side gusset films 50 on both left and right sides that are arranged between the front film 30 and the back film 40 on both sides of the pouch side in the left-to-right direction Z and are heat-sealed to the front film 30 and the back film 40 by side seals 22.

[0014] Each of the films 30, 40, 50, 60 is formed as a resin film having a heat-sealed layer on at least one surface thereof, and is arranged so that the heat-sealed layers face each other at the locations where they are heat-sealed to each other. In FIG. 2 and other figures, the heat-sealed regions of the films 30, 40, 50, and 60 are indicated by solid areas.

[0015] 1 and 2, the pouch body 20 has side seals 22 formed by heat-welding both lateral sides of the side gusset film 50 to the films 30, 40, a top seal 23 formed contiguous with the side seals 22 on both the left and right sides at the top of the pouch body 20 facing the bottom seal 24 across the content liquid storage section 21, a bottom seal 24 formed contiguous with the side seals 22 on both the left and right sides at the pouch bottom 20a of the pouch body 20, and an intermediate seal 25 formed by heat-welding the films 30, 40 and the inner film 60. These seals 22 to 25 constitute a bag-making seal section.

[0016] The top seal 23 and the bottom seal 24 are formed by directly or indirectly heat-welding the films 30, 40, and in this embodiment, they have portions where the films 30, 40 are directly heat-welded, and portions where the films 30, 40 are indirectly heat-welded by interposing an inner film 60 between the films 30, 40 (portions where the films 30, 60 are heat-welded, between the films 60 themselves, and between the films 40, 60). When the inner film 60 is not provided, the top seal 23 and the bottom seal 24 are formed only from the portions where the films 30, 40 are directly heat-sealed.

[0017] Furthermore, at a predetermined location (for example, location A shown in FIG. 1) on the side of pouch body 20 where the gusset portion is formed, side gusset film 50 is partially removed to form a location where films 30 and 40 are heat-sealed together. This prevents films 30 and 40 from separating from each other at the predetermined location (for example, location A shown in FIG. 1).

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the side gusset film 50 has a front seal area 51 that is heat-sealed to the front film 30 at the side seal 22, a back seal area 52 that is heat-sealed to the back film 40 at the side seal 22, and a non-seal area 53 that is the area inside the front seal area 51 and the back seal area 52.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the non-sealed area 53 has a front outer edge 54 which is the boundary with the front sealed area 51, and a back outer edge 55 which is the boundary with the back sealed area 52.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55 each have base edges 54a, 55a that are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction X, lower inclined edges 54b, 55b that extend from the lower ends of the base edges 54a, 55a to the lower end connecting portion 53a that connects the lower ends of the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55, and upper inclined edges 54c, 55c that extend from the upper ends of the base edges 54a, 55a to the upper end connecting portion 53b that connects the upper ends of the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55.

[0021] 3 and 6, the base edges 54a, 55a are formed so as to extend linearly in the up-down direction Y. Note that the base edges 54a, 55a may be formed in a form other than a straight line.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lower inclined edges 54b, 55b are portions that extend in an inclined manner in the up-down direction Y so as to move inward in the front-to-back direction X as they extend downward.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the lower inclined edge portions 54b, 55b have folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion 21, and lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 that connect the lower ends of the folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 to the lower end connection portion 53a.

[0024] The folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 are portions that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the liquid content storage portion 21 is filled with the liquid content, that is, when the pouch body 20 is inflated so that the front film 30 and the back film 40 move apart in the front-back direction X. These bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 guide the side gusset film 50 to bend along the imaginary bending line L2 defined by the bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 when the liquid content storage portion 21 is filled with the liquid content and the pouch body 20 is inflated.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, the bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 are formed continuously at the lower ends of the base edges 54a, 55a, and are formed as straight portions that are inclined (at an inclination angle of 45° in this embodiment) so as to move downward toward the central virtual line L1 (i.e., the central virtual line L1 that extends linearly along the vertical direction Y through the lower end connecting portion 53a and the upper end connecting portion 53b from the center in the front-to-back direction X of the side gusset film 50). In this way, when the bend guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are formed as straight portions, the imaginary bend line L2 becomes an imaginary line extending from the bend guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1, as shown in FIGS. Here, when the folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 are formed as straight portions, in order to properly guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, it is preferable to form the folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 so that the width dimension W1 of the folding guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 in the front-to-back direction X is 20% or more of the width dimension W from the central virtual line L1 to the base edge portions 54a, 55a in the front-to-back direction X, as shown in Figures 4 and 7.

[0026] In addition, the specific form of the bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 is not limited to being formed as straight portions, but may be any form that can guide the bending of the side gusset film 50, such as being formed as a convex curved portion toward the central virtual line L1. In addition, in this embodiment, the bending induction portions 54b-1, 55b-1 are formed continuously at the lower ends of the base edge portions 54a, 55a, but other portions (consisting of curved portions or straight portions) may be interposed between the base edge portions 54a, 55a and the bending induction portions 54b-1, 55b-1.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are portions that connect the lower ends of the bend induction portions 54b-1, 55b-1 to the lower end connecting portion 53a, and connect the lower ends of the bend induction portions 54b-1, 55b-1 to the lower end connecting portion 53a so that the lower end connecting portion 53a is positioned lower than the first virtual intersection P1 where the central virtual line L1 and the bend virtual line L2 intersect.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are formed as convex curved portions on the side of the central virtual line L1 (inside the front-to-back direction X) that smoothly connect the lower ends of the bend guiding portions 54b-1, 55b-1 and the lower end connecting portion 53a (i.e., connect so that no corners are formed at the connection points between the bend guiding portions 54b-1, 55b-1), as shown in Figures 4 and 7. In this way, by forming the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 into convex curved portions, the load from the contents can be prevented from concentrating on specific points on the lower inclined edge portions 54b, 55b, while the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 can also effectively withstand the load from the contents. 4 and 7, the entire lower end connecting portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are located outside the imaginary bending line L2 in the front-to-back direction X.

[0029] In this embodiment, the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are formed as convex curved portions as described above, but the specific form of the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 is not limited to this and may be any form, such as a straight portion or a combination of one or more straight portions or one or more curved portions.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the upper inclined edges 54c, 55c are portions that extend in an inclined manner in the up-down direction Y so as to move inward in the front-to-back direction X as they extend upward.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the upper inclined edge portions 54c, 55c have folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion 21, and upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 that connect the upper ends of the folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 to the upper end connection portion 53b.

[0032] The folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 are portions that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion 21, that is, when the pouch body 20 is inflated so that the front film 30 and the back film 40 move apart in the front-back direction X. These bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 guide the side gusset film 50 to bend along the imaginary bending line L3 defined by the bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 when the liquid content storage portion 21 is filled with the liquid content and the pouch body 20 is inflated.

[0033] In this embodiment, the bend guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 are formed continuously at the upper ends of the base edges 54a, 55a, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, and are formed as straight portions that are inclined (at an inclination angle of 45° in this embodiment) so as to move toward the central virtual line L1 (inside the front-to-back direction X) as they extend upward. In this way, when the bend guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are formed as straight portions, the imaginary bend line L3 becomes an imaginary line extending from the bend guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1, as shown in FIGS. Here, when the folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 are formed as straight portions, in order to properly guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, it is preferable to form the folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 so that the width dimension W2 of the folding guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 in the front-to-back direction X is 20% or more of the width dimension W from the central virtual line L1 to the base edge portions 54a, 55a in the front-to-back direction X, as shown in Figures 5 and 8.

[0034] In addition, the specific form of the bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 is not limited to being formed as straight portions, but may be any form that can guide the bending of the side gusset film 50, such as being formed as a convex curved portion toward the central virtual line L1. In addition, in this embodiment, the bending induction portions 54c-1, 55c-1 are formed continuously at the upper ends of the base edge portions 54a, 55a, but other portions (consisting of curved portions or straight portions) may be interposed between the base edge portions 54a, 55a and the bending induction portions 54c-1, 55c-1.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 are portions that connect the upper ends of the bend induction portions 54c-1, 55c-1 to the upper end connecting portion 53b, and connect the upper ends of the bend induction portions 54c-1, 55c-1 to the upper end connecting portion 53b so that the upper end connecting portion 53b is positioned above the third virtual intersection P3 where the central virtual line L1 and the bend virtual line L3 intersect.

[0036] In this embodiment, the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 are formed as convex curved portions on the side of the central virtual line L1 (inside the front-to-back direction X) that smoothly connect the upper ends of the bend guiding portions 54c-1, 55c-1 and the upper end connecting portion 53b (i.e., connect so that no corners are formed at the connection points between the bend guiding portions 54c-1, 55c-1), as shown in Figures 5 and 8. In this way, by forming the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 into convex curved portions, it is possible to prevent the load from the contents from concentrating on specific points on the upper inclined edge portions 54c, 55c, while also allowing the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 to effectively withstand the load from the contents. 5 and 8, the entire upper end connecting portions 54c-2, 55c-2 are located outside the imaginary bending line L3 in the front-to-back direction X.

[0037] In this embodiment, the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 are formed as convex curved portions as described above, but the specific form of the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 is not limited to this and may be any form, such as a straight portion or a combination of one or more straight portions or one or more curved portions.

[0038] The side gusset film 50 is formed symmetrically (left-right symmetrically) with respect to the central imaginary line L1; in other words, the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55 are formed symmetrically (left-right symmetrically) with respect to the central imaginary line L1.

[0039] In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, one side of the side gusset film 50 has a circular spout through hole 56 formed to penetrate the film thickness direction, for inserting the pouring tube portion of the spout 70.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the side gusset films 50 on both the left and right sides have a central folding processed portion 57 in which the side gusset films 50 are folded (folded) in a convex shape toward the inside of the pouch along the central imaginary line L1.

[0041] The inner film 60 is formed as a rectangular (or nearly rectangular) flexible resin film having a heat-sealed layer on at least one side thereof, and as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, it is folded in half and placed inside the pouch body 20 (content liquid storage section 21), with predetermined locations heat-sealed to the films 30 and 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner film 60 has a plurality of film perforations formed in the form of holes penetrating through the film in the thickness direction.

[0042] The spout 70 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and is attached to the pouch body 20 to function as a spout for the liquid content. The spout 70 is attached to one of the side gusset films 50 on both the left and right sides by heat welding a part of the spout 70 (in this embodiment, the flange portion) to the side gusset film 50 .

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the spout 70 is attached to the area between the base edges 54a, 55a of one of the side gusset films 50 on both the left and right sides. In other words, the spout 70 is attached to an area of ​​the side gusset film 50 other than the area between the lower inclined edge 54b of the front outer edge 54 and the lower inclined edge 55b of the back outer edge 55, and the spout 70 is attached to an area of ​​the side gusset film 50 other than the area between the upper inclined edge 54c of the front outer edge 54 and the upper inclined edge 55c of the back outer edge 55.

[0044] In addition, at the area where the films 30, 40, and 60 overlap in the bag-making seal section on the top side of the horizontal gusset pouch 10 (top seal 23), as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a handle hole 26 is formed through the area where the films 30, 40, and 60 overlap, allowing the user to hold the horizontal gusset pouch 10 with their hand or fingers. In Figure 2, for ease of understanding the technology, the handle holes 26 are shown as being formed without the films 30, 40, and 60 being heat-sealed together. However, in this embodiment, the handle holes 26 are formed by punching out predetermined locations after the films 30, 40, and 60 are heat-sealed together.

[0045] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the bottom seal 24 is formed so that its center (or near the center) in the left-right direction Z rises upward, and has a folding control seal portion 24a whose upper edge is located above both left and right end portions 24c (which are continuous with the side seals 22 on both the left and right sides). In this embodiment, the width of the bottom seal 24 in the up-down direction Y is constant (or approximately constant) as shown in FIG.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, this folding control seal portion 24a is intended to control the position and state in which the films 30, 40 are folded (bent) when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is placed with the pouch bottom 20a side (bottom seal 24 side) facing downwards. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is placed, the lower part of the horizontal gusset pouch 10 including the bottom seal 24 (part B shown in FIGS. 1 and 10) is folded at the pouch bottom 20a toward either the front or back side in the front-back direction X, and at this time, the folding control seal part 24a controls the position and state in which the films 30, 40 are folded (bent).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the folding control seal portion 24a has an uppermost portion of its upper edge that extends linearly in the left-right direction Z.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the folding control seal portion 24a is formed near the pouch bottom 20a such that when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is folded (in the example shown in FIG. 10, the side gusset films 50 on both the left and right sides are folded in half at the central virtual line L1) so that the inner surfaces of the front film 30 and the back film 40 are in contact with each other, the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion 24a (the portion extending linearly along the left-right direction Z as described above) is in contact with the sixth virtual line L6 connecting the first virtual intersection points P1 on both the left and right sides in the left-right direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a lower unsealed portion 24b to which the films 30, 40 are not heat-sealed is formed on the lower side (outside) of the folding control sealed portion 24a.

[0050] In the horizontal gusset pouch 10 of the present embodiment obtained in this manner, the bottom connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are formed so that the bottom connection portion 53a is located below the first virtual intersection P1 where the central virtual line L1 and the bending virtual line L2 intersect, as shown in Figures 4 and 7. This prevents delamination (i.e., peeling between the heat-sealed films 30, 40, 50) from occurring near the bottom connection portion 53a even when pressure is applied to the horizontal gusset pouches 10 filled with the liquid content, such as when multiple horizontal gusset pouches 10 filled with the liquid content are stacked together, and prevents leakage of the liquid content due to the delamination.

[0051] That is, when the liquid content storage section 21 is filled with the liquid content and the pouch body 20 is inflated, most of the side gusset films 50 (portions other than the regions R1 and R2 described below) move toward the outside of the pouch as the pouch body 20 inflates. However, in the horizontal gusset-type pouch 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the lower end connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed so that the lower end connecting portion 53a is located below the first imaginary intersection P1 (i.e., outside the imaginary bending line L2). Even when the liquid content storage section 21 is filled with the liquid content and the pouch body 20 is inflated, the region R1 of the side gusset film 50 near the lower end connecting portion 53a, which is located outside (below) the imaginary bending line L2, is prevented from moving outward as the pouch body 20 inflates (in other words, the region R1 remains located in a recessed position), so that the load caused by the pressure is prevented from being concentrated on the lower end connecting portion 53a, and the occurrence of delamination near the lower end connecting portion 53a can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, the region R1 of the above-mentioned side gusset film 50 is a portion that is bent so as to form a convex shape toward the inside of the pouch near the central virtual line L1, and if the film state were to change so that such region R1 becomes convex toward the outside of the pouch as the pouch body 20 expands, a load would be placed on the vicinity of the lower end connecting portion 53a. However, in the horizontal gusset-type pouch 10 of this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to prevent region R1 of the side gusset film 50 from moving outward as the pouch body 20 expands, and in this respect, too, excessive load is prevented from being placed on the vicinity of the lower end connecting portion 53a of the side gusset film 50, thereby suppressing the occurrence of delamination near the lower end connecting portion 53a.

[0053] 5 and 8, in the horizontal gusset pouch 10 of this embodiment, the upper end connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are formed so that the upper end connecting portion 53b is located above the third imaginary intersection P3 where the central imaginary line L1 and the bending imaginary line L3 intersect. Even when pressure is applied to the horizontal gusset pouch 10 filled with the liquid content, delamination near the upper end connecting portion 53b is suppressed, and leakage of the liquid content due to delamination can be avoided.

[0054] Here, the mechanism for suppressing delamination near upper end connecting portion 53b is the same as the mechanism for suppressing delamination near lower end connecting portion 53a described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that when multiple horizontal gusset pouches 10 filled with content liquid are stacked on top of each other with the pouches placed horizontally or with the top seal 23 facing downward, delamination may also occur near upper end connecting portion 53b due to the pressure applied to the vicinity of upper end connecting portion 53b. 5 and 8 is a region of the side gusset film 50 near the upper end connecting portion 53b located outside (above) the imaginary bending line L3.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, when the content liquid storage section 21 is filled with the content liquid and the pouch body 20 is inflated, most of the side gusset film 50 moves toward the outside of the pouch as the pouch body 20 inflates, and as can be seen from Figures 3, 6, and 9, the vicinity of the fourth imaginary line L4 between the lower ends of the base edge portions 54a, 55a of the side gusset film 50 and the fifth imaginary line L5 between the upper ends thereof are bent convexly toward the outside of the pouch.

[0056] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 9, the area of ​​the side gusset film 50 between the lower inclined edges 54b, 55b becomes the part that forms the pouch bottom 20a that is placed on the placement surface when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is used or displayed after the content liquid storage section 21 is filled with the content liquid and the pouch body 20 is inflated. Accordingly, the lower end connecting portion 53a becomes a portion located at the pouch bottom portion 20a.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bottom seal 24 has a folding control seal portion 24a located above both the left and right ends thereof, so that when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is placed with the pouch bottom 20a side facing downwards, it is possible to stabilize the position and state in which the films 30, 40 are folded, thereby suppressing the occurrence of pinholes that tend to occur when the position and state in which the films 30, 40 are folded are unstable. That is, as shown in Figure 11, if the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are formed so that the lower end connecting portion 53a is positioned below the first virtual intersection P1, and if the folding control seal portion 24a is not formed and the bottom seal 24 is formed in a band shape extending linearly along the left-right direction Z, as shown by line S in Figure 11 (the lower end line S of the area where the content liquid is present), the content liquid will enter below the sixth virtual line L6 near the center in the left-right direction Z, and as a result, the films 30, 40 will not be able to be folded properly (folded along a straight line) and will become wrinkled.If the horizontal gusset-type pouch 10 is repeatedly lifted and placed in such a wrinkled state, stress will be placed on the films 30, 40, and there is a risk of so-called pinholes opening in the films 30, 40. In contrast to this, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, by forming a folding control seal portion 24a in the bottom seal 24, it is possible to stabilize the position and state in which the films 30, 40 are folded, so that when the horizontal gusset-type pouch 10 is placed, it is possible to suppress the formation of wrinkles in the films 30, 40 and prevent the formation of pinholes in the films 30, 40.

[0058] Furthermore, the folding control seal portion 24a is formed so that when the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is folded, the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion 24a is in contact with the sixth imaginary line L6, thereby allowing the position at which the films 30, 40 are folded to be guided onto the sixth imaginary line L6 where the crease is most desired.

[0059] Furthermore, since the uppermost part of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion 24a extends linearly in the left-right direction, it is possible to reliably prevent the contents from entering below the sixth imaginary line L6, and the films 30, 40 can be folded smoothly along a straight line.

[0060] Furthermore, by forming lower unsealed portion 24b below folding control sealed portion 24a, it is possible to prevent the film at pouch bottom 20a from wrinkling, thereby preventing the bag from breaking due to the wrinkling. In other words, if the film were sealed up to the position of lower unsealed portion 24b, the film would become stiff and wrinkles would easily occur, but by forming lower unsealed portion 24b, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such wrinkles.

[0061] Next, in order to confirm the effectiveness of forming the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 in preventing delamination near the lower end connecting portion 53a, the applicant conducted tests in which the ratio of the vertical distance H2 to the vertical distance H1 described below was varied.

[0062] First, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, the vertical distance H1 is the vertical distance between the second virtual intersection P2 where the bent virtual line L2 intersects with the base edge portions 54a and 55a and the first virtual intersection P1, and the vertical distance H2 is the vertical distance between the first virtual intersection P1 and the lower end connecting portion 53a.

[0063] In this test, pouches were prepared that were filled with the content liquid (water) and inflated, with H2 / H1 = 0 (i.e., H2 = 0), H2 / H1 = 0.10, H2 / H1 = 0.14, and H2 / H1 = 0.20. After applying pressure to each pouch containing the content liquid, the pouches were visually inspected from the outside to see if delamination had occurred near the lower end connecting portion 53a. After visual inspection, the pouches were disassembled by cutting the film or other methods to check if delamination had occurred.

[0064] In this test, a pouch having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 was used. In addition, in this test, pouches made using the following film 1 as the front film, back film, and side gusset film that make up the pouch, and pouches made using the following transparent film 2 as the front film, back film, and side gusset film were used. Film 1: A film made by laminating, from the outer layer side, a 12 μm thick PET, a 12 μm thick PET with an aluminum vapor deposition layer formed on the outer layer side, a 15 μm thick nylon, and a 150 μm thick LLDPE (low density polyethylene) Film 2: A film made by laminating, from the outer layer side, 12 μm thick PET, 15 μm thick nylon, and 150 μm thick LLDPE (low-density polyethylene). The number of pouches made of film 1 and the number of pouches made of film 2 used as test specimens were 16 each.

[0065] As a result, as can be seen from the test results shown below, it was found that it is preferable to form the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 so that H2 / H1 is 0.1 or more, and it is even more preferable to form them so that H2 / H1 is 0.2 or more. Similar results were obtained for both the pouch made of the above film 1 and the pouch made of the above film 2. H2 / H1=0 :× H2 / H1=0.10:○ H2 / H1=0.14:○ H2 / H1=0.20:◎

[0066] Specifically, for pouches where H2 / H1=0, delamination was confirmed near the lower end connecting portion 53a in some test specimens by visual inspection from outside the pouch. Furthermore, for pouches with H2 / H1 = 0.10 and pouches with H2 / H1 = 0.14, no delamination was confirmed near the lower end connecting portion 53a for all test specimens when visually inspected from outside the pouch, and it was confirmed that minor delamination had occurred in some test specimens, but this was not enough to cause leakage of the contents due to pouch decomposition. Furthermore, for pouches with H2 / H1 = 0.20, no delamination was observed near the lower end connecting portion 53a for all test specimens when visually inspected from outside the pouch, and no delamination was observed for all test specimens when the pouch was disassembled.

[0067] Furthermore, from the above test results, it is also clear that it is preferable to form the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 so that H4 / H3 is 0.1 or more, and it is even more preferable to form them so that H4 / H3 is 0.2 or more. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the vertical distance H3 is the vertical distance between the fourth virtual intersection P4 where the bent virtual line L3 intersects with the base edges 54a and 55a and the third virtual intersection P3, and the vertical distance H4 is the vertical distance between the third virtual intersection P3 and the upper end connecting portion 53b.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the horizontal gusset-type pouch 10 may be constructed by arbitrarily combining the configurations of the above embodiments and the modified examples described below.

[0069] For example, the horizontal gusset pouch 10 may be housed in an outer case (not shown) when in use, on display, or transported, or the horizontal gusset pouch 10 itself may be used, displayed, or transported without being housed in an outer case (not shown).

[0070] As for specific embodiments of the films 30, 40, 50, and 60, any film having a heat-sealable layer made of an olefin such as low-density polyethylene or polypropylene, or a polyester such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) on at least one side may be a single heat-sealable layer, or any layer may be laminated on the heat-sealable layer. Any material may be used to form the laminate, and any desired layer may be formed by laminating known polyesters such as PET or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, aluminum foil, etc.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the pouch body 20 is described as being formed from four films, namely, films 30, 40, and 50, but the specific aspects of the pouch body 20, such as the number of films constituting the pouch body 20, are not limited to the above. Also, the inner film 60 may not be provided. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is configured as a large-capacity pouch with a capacity of 2 to 5 L, and the spout 70 is also configured as a large spout with an outer diameter of the flange 81 of 50 to 70 mm, but the sizes of the horizontal gusset pouch 10 and the spout 70 are not limited to these and may be set arbitrarily depending on the embodiment. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the horizontal gusset pouch 10 is described as having the spout 70, but the spout 70 does not have to be provided. Furthermore, when attaching the spout 70 to the side gusset film 50, the above-described embodiment describes the spout 70 being attached to the area between the base edges 54a and 55a, but the attachment position of the spout 70 is not limited to the above, and for example, at least a portion of the spout 70 may be attached to the area between the upper inclined edges 54c and 55c.

[0072] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55 are described as being formed in line symmetry (bilateral symmetry) with respect to the central virtual line L1, but the front outer edge 54 and the back outer edge 55 may also be formed asymmetrically.

[0073] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 and the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 are formed on the lower inclined edge portions 54b, 55b of both the left and right side gusset films 50, but the bending guide portions 54b-1, 55b-1 and the lower end connection portions 54b-2, 55b-2 may be formed on the lower inclined edge portions 54b, 55b of only one of the left and right side gusset films 50.

[0074] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 and the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 are formed on the upper inclined edge portions 54c, 55c in both the left and right side gusset films 50, but it is not necessary to form the bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 and the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 in both the left and right side gusset films 50, and it is also possible to form the bending guide portions 54c-1, 55c-1 and the upper end connection portions 54c-2, 55c-2 in only one of the left and right side gusset films 50.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the side gusset film 50 has a central fold processing portion 57 formed therein, but it is not necessary to form the central fold processing portion 57 (in at least one of the side gusset films 50), that is, it is not necessary to perform folding processing on the side gusset film 50.

[0076] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it was explained that the shape of the outer edges 54, 55 and the width dimension W etc. are the same between the left and right side gusset films 50, but the shape of the outer edges 54, 55 and the width dimension W etc. may be different between the left and right side gusset films 50.

[0077] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the folding control seal portion 24a is described as being formed continuously with the base of the bottom seal 24 (continuous with the side seals 22 on both the left and right sides), but as shown in Figure 12, the folding control seal portion 24a may also be formed as part of the bottom seal 24 and provided independently (separately, in other words, in the form of a point seal) from the base 24d of the bottom seal 24.

[0078] In this specification, terms indicating top and bottom, such as "top," "bottom," and "side," are used, but these terms do not limit the orientation of the horizontal gusset pouch 10 when it is displayed or transported. For example, when it is displayed or transported, the horizontal gusset pouch 10 may be placed on a placing surface with its side or top facing down.

[0079] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) A horizontal gusset pouch comprising a front film, a back film, and side gusset films on both the left and right sides that are disposed between the front film and the back film and are heat-sealed to the front film and the back film by side seals, The side gusset film has a front seal area that is heat-sealed to the front film at the side seal, a back seal area that is heat-sealed to the back film at the side seal, and a non-seal area that is an area inside the front seal area and the back seal area, the non-sealed area has a front-side outer edge that is a boundary with the front-side sealed area and a back-side outer edge that is a boundary with the back-side sealed area, The front outer edge and the back outer edge each have a base edge portion arranged spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction, an upper inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end connecting portion that connects the upper ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, and a lower inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end connecting portion that connects the lower ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, At least one of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides has a folding guide portion that guides the folding of the side gusset film when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion, and a lower end connecting portion that connects the lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end connecting portion, a lower end connection portion connecting the lower end of the fold guide portion and the lower end connection portion so that the lower end connection portion is positioned lower than a first virtual intersection point where a central virtual line passing through the upper end connection portion and the lower end connection portion intersects with a virtual fold line defined by the fold guide portion. (Appendix 2) The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein the folding guide portion is formed as a linear portion that is inclined so as to approach the central imaginary line as it extends downward. (Appendix 3) 3. The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein the folding guide portion is formed continuously with the lower end of the base edge portion. (Appendix 4) 4. A horizontal gusset pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower end connection portion is formed as a convex curved portion toward the central imaginary line. (Appendix 5) When the vertical distance between the second virtual intersection point where the bent virtual line and the base edge portion intersect and the first virtual intersection point is defined as H1, and the vertical distance between the first virtual intersection point and the lower end connecting portion is defined as H2, 5. The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein the lower end connection portion is formed so that H2 / H1 is 0.1 or more. (Appendix 6) The horizontal gusset pouch according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5, characterized in that the side gusset film has a central folded portion in which the side gusset film is folded convexly toward the inside of the pouch along the central virtual line. (Appendix 7) Further provided with a spout attached to the side gusset film, The horizontal gusset pouch according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, characterized in that the spout is attached to an area of ​​the side gusset film other than the area between the lower inclined edge portion of the front outer edge and the lower inclined edge portion of the back outer edge. (Appendix 8) The horizontal gusset-type pouch according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 7, characterized in that the lower end connecting portion is a portion located at the bottom of the pouch when the content liquid storage portion is filled with the content liquid and the pouch body is inflated. (Appendix 9) 9. The horizontal gusset pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a bottom seal formed continuously with the side seals on both the left and right sides at the bottom of the pouch, the bottom seal having a fold-control seal portion located above both the left and right ends. (Appendix 10) Both of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides have the lower end connection portion, The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 9, characterized in that when the horizontal gusset pouch is folded so that the inner surfaces of the front film and the back film are in contact with each other, the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion is formed so as to be in contact with an imaginary line connecting the first imaginary intersection points on both the left and right sides in the left-right direction. (Appendix 11) The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion extends linearly along the left-right direction. (Appendix 12) 12. The horizontal gusset pouch according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a lower unsealed portion is formed below the folding control seal portion. (Appendix 13) A horizontal gusset pouch comprising a front film, a back film, and side gusset films on both the left and right sides that are disposed between the front film and the back film and are heat-sealed to the front film and the back film by side seals, The side gusset film has a front seal area that is heat-sealed to the front film at the side seal, a back seal area that is heat-sealed to the back film at the side seal, and a non-seal area that is an area inside the front seal area and the back seal area, the non-sealed area has a front-side outer edge that is a boundary with the front-side sealed area and a back-side outer edge that is a boundary with the back-side sealed area, The front outer edge and the back outer edge each have a base edge portion arranged spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction, an upper inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end connecting portion that connects the upper ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, and a lower inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end connecting portion that connects the lower ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, At least one of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides has a folding guide portion that guides the folding of the side gusset film when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion, and an upper end connecting portion that connects the upper end of the folding guide portion and the upper end connecting portion, a horizontal gusset-type pouch, characterized in that the upper end connection portion connects the upper end of the fold guide portion and the upper end connection portion so that the upper end connection portion is located above a third virtual intersection point where a central virtual line passing through the upper end connection portion and the lower end connection portion intersects with a virtual fold line defined by the fold guide portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10. Horizontal gusset pouch 20 Pouch body 20a Bottom of pouch 21 Content liquid storage section 22 Side seal 23 Top seal 24 Bottom seal 24a Folding control seal 24b Lower unsealed part 24c Both ends 25 Intermediate seal 26 ... Handle hole 30 ··· Front film 40 ··· Back film 50 ··· Side gusset film 51 Front seal area 52 Backside seal area 53 Non-sealed area 53a...Lower end connection part 53b...Top end connection part 54 ··· Front outer edge 54a Base edge 54b Lower beveled edge 54b-1 ··· Bending guide section 54b-2 Lower end connection 54c Upper beveled edge 54c-1 ··· Bending guide section 54c-2 Upper end connection 55 Back outer edge 55a Base edge 55b Lower beveled edge 55b-1 ··· Bending guide section 55b-2 Lower end connection 55c Upper beveled edge 55c-1 ··· Bending guide section 55c-2 Upper end connection 56 Spout through hole 57 Center bend processing section 60 ··· Inner film 70 ··· Spout L1: Central virtual line L2: Bend imaginary line L3: Bend imaginary line L4: Fourth virtual line L5: Fifth virtual line L6: Sixth virtual line P1: First virtual intersection P2: Second virtual intersection P3: Third virtual intersection P4: Fourth virtual intersection X Front and back direction Y... Vertical direction Z...Left and right direction

Claims

1. A horizontal gusset pouch comprising a front film, a back film, side gusset films on both left and right sides that are disposed between the front film and the back film and are heat-sealed to the front film and the back film by side seals, and a bottom seal that is formed continuously with the side seals on both left and right sides at the bottom of the pouch, The side gusset film has a front seal area that is heat-sealed to the front film at the side seal, a back seal area that is heat-sealed to the back film at the side seal, and a non-seal area that is an area inside the front seal area and the back seal area, the non-sealed area has a front-side outer edge that is a boundary with the front-side sealed area and a back-side outer edge that is a boundary with the back-side sealed area, The front outer edge and the back outer edge each have a base edge portion arranged spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction, an upper inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end connecting portion that connects the upper ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, and a lower inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end connecting portion that connects the lower ends of the front outer edge and the back outer edge, At least one of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides has a folding guide portion that guides the folding of the side gusset film when the content liquid is filled into the content liquid storage portion, and a lower end connecting portion that connects the lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end connecting portion, the lower end connection portion connects the lower end of the bend guide portion and the lower end connection portion so that the lower end connection portion is located lower than a first virtual intersection point where a central virtual line passing through the upper end connection portion and the lower end connection portion intersects with a bend virtual line defined by the bend guide portion, The horizontal gusset pouch is characterized in that the bottom seal has a folding control seal portion located above both left and right ends of the bottom seal.

2. Both of the side gusset films on both the left and right sides have the lower end connection portion, 2. The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein the folding control seal portion is formed so that, when the horizontal gusset pouch is folded so that the inner surfaces of the front film and the back film are in contact with each other, the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion is in contact with an imaginary line connecting the first imaginary intersection points on both the left and right sides in the left-right direction.

3. 2. The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost portion of the upper edge of the folding control seal portion extends linearly in the left-right direction.

4. 2. The horizontal gusset pouch according to claim 1, wherein a lower unsealed portion is formed below the folding control seal portion.

Images