Standing pouch and method for manufacturing a standing pouch

Abstract

This creates a standing pouch in which the first side film, the second side film, and the bottom film are securely heat-sealed. [Solution] The standing pouch (1) comprises a first side film (10), a second side film (20), and a bottom film (30), and on both sides of the bottom seal portion (40), there are heat seal marks (43A, 43B) which are heat seal marks separate from the heat seal of the bottom seal portion (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a standing pouch and a method for manufacturing the standing pouch.

Background Art

[0002] In the sealing method of the standing pouch disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front material and the rear material are fed out from the wound state, and the front material and the rear material are moved in a predetermined direction. A bottom material folded in two is inserted between the front material and the rear material facing each other, and a boat-shaped bottom seal mold (a concave member forming a concave shape referred to in the present application) is sequentially pressed against the front material and the rear material moving in the predetermined direction to perform heat sealing. Thereby, a boat-shaped bottom seal portion is formed on the front material and the rear material. Then, the front material and the rear material on which the bottom seal portion is formed are moved in a predetermined direction and cut into the size of each standing pouch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=X]]There are standing pouches in which cutouts are formed on both sides of a portion corresponding to the bottom seal portion in the bottom material. Consider the case of manufacturing such a standing pouch by the sealing method disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this case, in the front material and the rear material before cutting that move in a predetermined direction, the cutouts face each other in portions corresponding to adjacent standing pouches, and punch holes are formed by these cutouts facing each other.

[0005] When a bottom seal die is pressed onto the portion of the front and rear material corresponding to one standing pouch, in the area where the punch holes are formed, there will be parts where the bottom seal die is pressed and melted, and parts where the bottom seal die is not pressed and does not melt.

[0006] The inventors have discovered that in the portion where the punch holes are formed, only the portion where the bottom seal mold is pressed and melted expands and contracts, causing deformation of the punch holes and resulting in dimensional defects of the punch holes. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that in the sealing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front material, rear material, and bottom material are not sufficiently heat-sealed on both sides of the bottom seal portion, which may lead to sealing defects between the front material, rear material, and bottom material.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention aims to solve these problems by realizing a standing pouch in which the first side film, the second side film, and the bottom film are reliably heat-sealed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a standing pouch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first side film, a second side film facing the first side film, and a bottom film disposed between the first side film and the second side film, wherein the first side film and the second side film have bottom seal portions formed on them to which the bottom film is heat-sealed, and when viewed from the opposing direction in which the first side film and the second side film face each other, both sides of the bottom seal portion are formed to be higher than the central part of the bottom seal portion, and at least one of the sides of the bottom seal portion has a heat seal mark formed on it, which is a heat seal mark separate from the heat seal of the bottom seal portion.

[0009] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a standing pouch according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a standing pouch comprising a first side film, a second side film, and a bottom film, comprising: a heating step of heating a portion including at least the first portion and the second portion, which comprises a first portion having at least one concave shape formed thereon, a second portion provided on one of the two sides of the first portion sandwiching the at least one concave shape, and a third portion provided on the other of the two sides of the first portion sandwiching the at least one concave shape; and an arrangement step of placing the first side film and the second side film opposite each other and arranging the bottom film between the first side film and the second side film. After the first step, a pre-sealing step is performed to seal the pressing location by pressing the second portion against one of the overlapping portions of the first side film and the second side film that overlap with the bottom film, when viewed from the opposing direction in which the first side film and the second side film face each other; after the pre-sealing step, a main sealing step is performed to seal the pressing location by overlapping the concave portion of the first portion with the overlapping portion and pressing the first portion; and after the main sealing step, a post-sealing step is performed to seal the pressing location by pressing the third portion against the other of the overlapping portions, when viewed from the opposing direction in which the overlapping portion is faced; and the present invention includes at least the pre-sealing step and the main sealing step.

[0010] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a standing pouch according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a standing pouch comprising a first side film, a second side film, and a bottom film, comprising: a heating step of heating a portion to be heated which includes at least the first portion and the third portion, of which a first portion has at least one concave shape formed thereon, a second portion provided on one of the two sides of the first portion sandwiching the at least one concave shape, and a third portion provided on the other of the two sides of the first portion sandwiching the at least one concave shape; and an arrangement step of placing the first side film and the second side film opposite each other and arranging the bottom film between the first side film and the second side film, wherein after the heating step and the arrangement step, The method includes at least the main sealing step and the post sealing step, comprising: a pre-sealing step in which the second portion is pressed against one side of the overlapping portion of the first side film and the second side film that overlaps with the bottom film when viewed from a facing direction between the first side film and the second side film to seal the pressed area; a main sealing step in which, after the heating step and the placement step or the pre-sealing step, the first portion is pressed against the overlapping portion by overlapping the concave portion of the first portion to seal the pressed area; and a post sealing step in which, after the main sealing step, the third portion is pressed against the other side of the overlapping portion when viewed from the facing direction to seal the pressed area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a standing pouch can be realized in which the first side film, the second side film, and the bottom film are reliably heat-sealed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a standing pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 shows an example of a manufacturing method for a standing pouch. [Figure 3] This figure shows the continuation of the manufacturing method shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This figure shows the continuation of the manufacturing method shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for producing standing pouches. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] <Contents of Standing Pouch 1> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a standing pouch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 101 in Figure 1 indicates a front view of the standing pouch 1, and reference numeral 102 in Figure 1 indicates a perspective view of the standing pouch 1 in an disassembled state. In Figure 1, the direction from bottom to top when the standing pouch 1 is standing upright is defined as the positive Z1 axis. Also in Figure 1, the direction in which the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 face each other is defined as the Y1 axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the Y1 axis direction and the Z1 axis direction is defined as the X1 axis direction. The Y1 axis direction and the Z1 axis direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] Standing pouch 1 is a pouch that can stand on its own and can be filled with contents from above. As shown by reference numeral 102 in Figure 1, standing pouch 1 comprises a first side film 10, a second side film 20, and a bottom film 30. The first side film 10 and the second side film 20 constitute the sides of standing pouch 1 and face each other. The first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 may be made of, for example, resin, or they may be laminated with resin and metal.

[0015] As shown by reference numeral 101 in FIG. 1, a bottom seal portion 40 to which a bottom film 30 is heat-sealed is formed on the first side film 10. Similarly, a bottom seal portion 40 is also formed on the second side film 20. When viewed in the Y1-axis direction, both sides of the bottom seal portion 40 are formed higher than the central portion 42 of the bottom seal portion 40.

[0016] Specifically, one side 41A of both sides of the bottom seal portion 40 is formed to a position farther from the bottom end portion 46 in the bottom seal portion 40 than the central portion 42. Also, the other side 41B of both sides of the bottom seal portion 40 is formed to a position farther from the bottom end portion 46 than the central portion 42.

[0017] Also, the shape of the end portion on the positive Z1-axis side of the bottom seal portion 40 is a curved shape that is concave toward the negative Z1-axis direction. One side 41A and the other side 41B are portions having a predetermined width along the X1-axis direction, and the central portion 42 is between the one side 41A and the other side 41B in the X1-axis direction and is a portion having a predetermined width along the X1-axis direction.

[0018] When viewed in the Y1-axis direction, a side seal portion 50A to which the second side film 20 is heat-sealed is formed on the positive X1-axis side of the first side film 10. A side seal portion 50B to which the second side film 20 is heat-sealed is formed on the negative X1-axis side of the first side film 10.

[0019] The bottom film 30 constitutes the bottom surface of the standing pouch 1. The bottom film 30 is disposed between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 so as to be folded toward the space between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20. When viewed in the Y1-axis direction, cutouts 31A and 31B are formed on both sides of the bottom film 30. Specifically, at least one cutout 31A is formed on the positive X1-axis side of the bottom film 30, and at least one cutout 31B is formed on the negative X1-axis side of the bottom film 30.

[0020] When viewed from the Y1-axis direction, heat seal marks, which are traces of heat sealing separately from the heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40, are formed on at least one of both sides of the bottom seal portion 40. For example, heat seal marks 43A are formed on one side 41A of the bottom seal portion 40. Also, heat seal marks 43B are formed on the other side 41B of the bottom seal portion 40. The heat seal marks 43A and 43B are formed such that their width increases in the X1-axis direction as they go in the negative Z1-axis direction.

[0021] Both sides of the bottom seal portion 40 do not transmit heat sufficiently when being sealed compared to the central portion 42 of the bottom seal portion 40, and the heat sealing between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 and the bottom film 30 is likely to be insufficient.

[0022] According to the above configuration, heat seal marks, which are traces of heat sealing separately from the heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40, are formed on at least one of both sides of the bottom seal portion 40. Thereby, it is possible to realize the standing pouch 1 in which the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 are surely heat-sealed. Such an effect also contributes to the achievement of, for example, Goal 12, "Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns," of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations.

[0023] The bottom seal portion 40 includes a portion 44 where the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 are heat-sealed through cutouts 31A and 31B. At least on one of both sides of the bottom seal portion 40 when viewed from the Y1-axis direction, the boundary between the heat seal mark and the portion other than the heat seal mark is located outside the cutout.

[0024] Specifically, when viewed from the Y1 axis direction, on one side 41A of the bottom seal portion 40, the boundary 45A between the heat seal mark 43A and the portion other than the heat seal mark 43A is located outside the notch 31A. Similarly, on the other side 41B of the bottom seal portion 40 when viewed from the Y1 axis direction, the boundary 45B between the heat seal mark 43B and the portion other than the heat seal mark 43B is located outside the notch 31B. The ends of the boundaries 45A and 45B on the positive Z1 axis side overlap the ends of the bottom seal portion 40 on the positive Z1 axis side.

[0025] This allows the standing pouch 1 to be firmly heat-sealed to the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 through the notches 31A and 31B in the bottom film 30. Furthermore, since the boundary 45A between the heat-sealed area 43A and the area outside the heat-sealed area 43A is located outside the notch 31A, the portion of the bottom film 30 where the notch 31A is formed is uniformly heat-sealed.

[0026] Similarly, because the boundary 45B between the heat-sealed area 43B and the area outside the heat-sealed area 43B is located outside the notch 31B, the portion of the bottom film 30 where the notch 31B is formed is uniformly heat-sealed. Therefore, a standing pouch 1 can be realized in which the shapes of the notches 31A and 31B are maintained in the desired shape. In addition, the size and position of the notches 31A and 31B can be set to any desired shape.

[0027] Specifically, the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31A is heat-sealed by being pressed against the second portion 62 of the bottom heating plate 60, which will be described later, so that it is covered by the second portion 62. As a result, the portion in which the notch 31A is formed is heat-sealed uniformly, so that even if tension is applied to the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction, which will be described later, the shape of the notch 31A can be maintained in the desired shape.

[0028] Similarly, the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31B is heat-sealed by being pressed against the third portion 63 of the bottom heating plate 60, which will be described later, so as to be covered by the third portion 63. The second portion 62 of the bottom heating plate 60 is shown in Figure 2, and the third portion 63 of the bottom heating plate 60 is shown in Figure 4.

[0029] The first side film 10 and the second side film 20 are heat-sealed through the notches 31A and 31B, making the standing pouch 1 capable of standing on its own. In this case, the standing pouch 1 can be made to stand on its own by spreading the bottom film 30 along the X1Y1 plane.

[0030] Furthermore, the heat seal marks 43A and 43B are formed at a location away from the bottom end 46 of the bottom seal portion 40. In other words, there is a portion of the bottom seal portion 40 other than the heat seal marks 43A and 43B between the heat seal marks 43A and 43B and the bottom end 46.

[0031] It is highly likely that sufficient heat is transferred to the bottom end 46 of the bottom seal portion 40 during sealing. In other words, because the heat seal marks 43A and 43B are formed at a location away from the bottom end 46 of the bottom seal portion 40, heat sealing is performed only in the areas where sufficient heat transfer is necessary. Therefore, the bottom seal portion 40 can be made to have heat transferred uniformly.

[0032] <Manufacturing method for standing pouch 1> Figure 2 shows an example of a manufacturing method for the standing pouch 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a continuation of the manufacturing method shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a continuation of the manufacturing method shown in Figure 3. In Figures 2 to 5, the direction in which the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 move is defined as the D1 direction, and the direction from the end 61E toward the concave shape C1 is defined as the upward direction. Also, the direction in which the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 face each other is defined as the opposing direction.

[0033] Furthermore, in Figures 2 to 4, the portion corresponding to the first side film 10 of one standing pouch 1 is shown with a solid or dotted line. These solid and dotted lines indicate the points where the pouch is cut by the cutting section 78, which will be described later. The cutting section 78 is shown in Figure 5. In addition, the following explanation focuses on the portion corresponding to the first side film 10 of one standing pouch 1, and the portion of focus is shown with a solid line.

[0034] <Structure of the bottom heating plate 60> As shown in Figure 2, the bottom heating plate 60 comprises a first portion 61, a second portion 62, and a third portion 63. The bottom heating plate 60 may include at least the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 from the first portion 61, the second portion 62, and the third portion 63. The bottom heating plate 60 may also include at least the first portion 61 and the third portion 63 from the first portion 61, the second portion 62, and the third portion 63.

[0035] The bottom heating plate 60 is an example of a heated part and is made of metal. The first part 61 has at least one concave shape formed therein. For example, the first part 61 is made up of three concave members 611, 612, and 613. The concave members 611 to 613 are arranged side by side in the D1 direction and are connected to each other.

[0036] A concave shape C1 is formed on the upper side of the recessed material 611. As a result, when viewed from the opposite direction, both sides of the recessed material 611 are formed higher than the central part of the recessed material 611. The concave shape C1 is a curved shape that is recessed downwards. Both sides of the recessed material 611 are portions having a predetermined width along the D1 direction, and the central part of the recessed material 611 is located between each of the two sides of the recessed material 611 in the D1 direction and is a portion having a predetermined width along the D1 direction.

[0037] The recessed member 612 is provided on the D1 direction side of the recessed member 611. A recessed shape C2, identical in shape to the recessed shape C1, is formed on the upper side of the recessed member 612. The recessed member 613 is provided on the D1 direction side of the recessed member 612. A recessed shape C3, identical in shape to the recessed shape C1, is formed on the upper side of the recessed member 613.

[0038] The second portion 62 is provided on one of the two sides of the first portion 61 that sandwich at least one concave portion. Specifically, the second portion 62 is provided on the side of the concave material 611 opposite to the D1 direction. The second portion 62 is a portion having a predetermined width along the D1 direction, and is formed such that its width increases in the D1 direction as it extends downwards. Furthermore, the lower end 621 of the second portion 62 is located above the lower end 61E of the first portion 61.

[0039] The third portion 63 is provided on the other side of the first portion 61 that sandwiches at least one concave portion. Specifically, the third portion 63 is provided on the D1 direction side of the recessed material 613. The third portion 63 is a portion having a predetermined width along the D1 direction, and is formed such that its width increases in the D1 direction as it extends downward.

[0040] Furthermore, the lower end 631 of the third portion 63 is located above the end 61E of the first portion 61. On the opposite side of the bottom heating plate 60, a heating plate (not shown) is positioned opposite the bottom heating plate 60.

[0041] <Method for forming the bottom seal portion 40> Heating elements, such as heaters (not shown), heat the bottom heating plate 60 (heating step). The heating elements are provided in the vicinity of the recessed materials 611-613 of the first portion 61, the vicinity of the second portion 62, and the vicinity of the third portion 63. For example, one heating element is provided near the bottom heating plate 60, and the temperature of the heating element is controlled by a control device 79, which will be described later. After the heating element heats the bottom heating plate 60, the transport unit 73, which will be described later, transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 to a position where a part of the first side film 10 and the second portion 62 overlap, as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] At this time, the transport unit 73 places the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 facing each other, and places the bottom film 30 between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 (arrangement step). The part of the first side film 10 is one of the overlapping portions 47 of the first side film 10 that overlap with the bottom film 30, when viewed from the opposing direction.

[0043] Next, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M, which has a bottom heat plate 60, presses the second portion 62 against one of the overlapping portions 47 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 that overlap with the bottom film 30, when viewed from the opposite direction. As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the pressed area where one of the overlapping portions 47 is pressed by the second portion 62 (pre-sealing step). The bottom sealing mechanism 60M is illustrated in Figure 5.

[0044] One of the two sides of the overlapping portion 47 is one side 47A of the overlapping portion 47. One side 47A is the part of the overlapping portion 47 on the D1 direction side and has a predetermined width along the D1 direction. The other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 is the part of the overlapping portion 47 on the opposite side from the D1 direction and has a predetermined width along the D1 direction. The central part 47C of the overlapping portion 47 is located between one side 47A and the other side 47B in the D1 direction and has a predetermined width along the D1 direction.

[0045] The standing pouch 1 of the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the two sides of the bottom seal portion 40 has heat seal marks 43A and 43B formed thereon, which are heat seal marks separate from the heat seal of the bottom seal portion 40. The heat seal marks 43A and 43B are formed by pressing a second portion 62 or a third portion 63, which is separate from the first portion 61. In the manufacturing method, the heat seal marks 43A and 43B can be formed by pressing a second portion 62 or a third portion 63 against one or the other side of the portion of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 that overlaps with the bottom film 30, when viewed from the opposing direction where the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 face each other, in a pre-seal step or post-seal step separate from this sealing step.

[0046] Furthermore, when the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals one side 47A of the overlapping portion 47, it presses the second portion 62 against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31A on that side 47A. As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 through the notch 31A. Because the second portion 62 is pressed against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31A, the boundary 45A shown in Figure 1 is located outside the notch 31A.

[0047] Specifically, in Figure 2, the notch 31A of the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by the solid line is opposite to the notch 31B of the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by the dotted line, which is located on the D1 side relative to that portion. These opposing notches 31A and 31B form a punch hole. This punch hole is covered by the second portion 62 and the recess material 611. As a result, the portion where the punch hole is formed is uniformly heat-sealed, so that even if tension is applied to the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction, the shape of the punch hole can be maintained in the desired shape.

[0048] When the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals one side 47A, the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31A is covered by the second portion 62 and the recessed material 611. As a result, the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31A is uniformly heat-sealed, and the shape of the notch 31A can be maintained in the desired shape.

[0049] After the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals one side 47A with the second part 62, the transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction to a position where a part of the overlapping portion 47 and the recessed material 611 overlap. Then, as shown by reference numeral 301 in Figure 3, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the recessed material 611 against the overlapping portion 47 by overlapping the recessed portion C1 of the recessed material 611 with it.

[0050] As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where the overlapping portion 47 is pressed by the recessed material 611 (this sealing step). In other words, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where one side 47A, the central portion 47C, and the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 shown in Figure 2 are pressed by the recessed material 611.

[0051] Furthermore, when the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47, it presses the recess material 611 against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notches 31A and 31B. At this time, the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31A is covered by the recess materials 611 and 612, and the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31B is covered by the second portion 62 and the recess material 611. As a result, the portions of the bottom film 30 that include the notches 31A and 31B are uniformly heat-sealed, and the shape of the notches 31A and 31B can be maintained in the desired shape.

[0052] Furthermore, the notch 31A in the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by a solid line in reference numeral 301 of Figure 3 faces the notch 31B in the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by a dotted line, which is located on the D1 direction side of that portion. These opposing notches 31A and 31B form a punch hole. This punch hole is covered by the recessed materials 611 and 612.

[0053] After the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47 with the recessed material 611, the transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction to a position where a part of the overlapping portion 47 and the recessed material 612 overlap. Then, as shown by reference numeral 302 in Figure 3, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the recessed material 612 against the overlapping portion 47 by overlapping the recessed portion C2 of the recessed material 612 with it.

[0054] As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where the overlapping portion 47 is pressed by the recessed material 612 (this sealing step). In other words, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where one side 47A, the central portion 47C, and the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 shown in Figure 2 are pressed by the recessed material 612.

[0055] Furthermore, when the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47, it presses the recess material 612 against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notches 31A and 31B. At this time, the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31A is covered by the recess materials 612 and 613, and the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31B is covered by the recess materials 611 and 612.

[0056] Furthermore, after the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47 with the recessed material 612, the transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction to a position where a part of the overlapping portion 47 and the recessed material 613 overlap. Then, as shown by reference numeral 303 in Figure 3, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the recessed material 613 against the overlapping portion 47 by overlapping the recessed portion C3 of the recessed material 613.

[0057] As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where the overlapping portion 47 is pressed by the recessed material 613 (this sealing step). In other words, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the areas where one side 47A, the central portion 47C, and the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 shown in Figure 2 are pressed by the recessed material 613.

[0058] Furthermore, when the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47, it presses the recessed material 613 against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notches 31A and 31B. At this time, the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31A is covered by the third portion 63 and the recessed material 613, and the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31B is covered by the recessed materials 612 and 613.

[0059] After the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the overlapping portion 47 with the recessed material 613, the conveying unit 73 conveys the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction to a position where a part of the overlapping portion 47 and the third portion 63 overlap. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the third portion 63 against the other side of the overlapping portion 47 when viewed from the opposing direction. In this way, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the pressed area where the other side of the overlapping portion 47 is pressed by the third portion 63 (post-sealing step). The other side of the overlapping portion 47 is the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47.

[0060] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing the standing pouch 1 of the present invention may include at least the pre-seal step and the main seal step among the pre-seal step, the main seal step, and the post-seal step. Also, the method for manufacturing the standing pouch 1 of the present invention may include at least the main seal step and the post-seal step among the pre-seal step, the main seal step, and the post-seal step. If at least the main seal step and the post-seal step are included, the main seal step may be performed after the heating step and the placement step or the pre-seal step.

[0061] The other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 is pressed against the third portion 63, which is separate from the first portion 61, thereby forming the heat seal mark 43B shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, when the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47, it presses the third portion 63 against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31B. In this way, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M seals the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 through the notch 31B. As a result of the third portion 63 being pressed against the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notch 31B, the boundary 45B shown in Figure 1 is located outside the notch 31A.

[0062] In the pre-sealing step and the post-sealing step, the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 are pressed in that order over the portion of the bottom film 30 that includes the notches 31A and 31B. This makes it possible to manufacture a standing pouch 1 in which the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 are firmly heat-sealed through the notches 31A and 31B of the bottom film 30.

[0063] Furthermore, when the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 are pressed in this order onto the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notches 31A and 31B, the portion of the bottom film 30 in which the notches 31A and 31B are formed is uniformly heat-sealed. Thus, a standing pouch 1 can be manufactured in which the shape of the notches 31A and 31B is maintained in the desired shape.

[0064] The bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the third portion 63 against the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31B on the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47, so that the portion of the bottom film 30 including the notch 31B is covered by the third portion 63 and the recessed material 613.

[0065] Furthermore, the notch 31B in the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by the solid line in Figure 4 faces the notch 31A in the bottom film 30 that overlaps with the portion of the first side film 10 shown by the dotted line, which is on the opposite side of the D1 direction relative to that portion. These opposing notches 31A and 31B form a punch hole. This punch hole is covered by the third portion 63 and the recessed material 613.

[0066] As a result, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M will press the bottom heating plate 60 four times against one side 47A of the overlapping portion 47. The bottom sealing mechanism 60M will also press the bottom heating plate 60 four times against the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47. On the other hand, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M will press the bottom heating plate 60 three times against the central portion 47C of the overlapping portion 47.

[0067] In other words, the number of times the bottom heating plate 60 presses against one side 47A and the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47 is greater than the number of times the bottom heating plate 60 presses against the central portion 47C of the overlapping portion 47. Therefore, a heat seal mark 43A is formed on one side 41A of the bottom seal portion 40 by the second portion 62. Also, a heat seal mark 43B is formed on the other side 41B of the bottom seal portion 40 by the third portion 63. Furthermore, the bottom seal portion 40 is formed in the overlapping portion 47 by the recessed materials 611 to 613 of the first portion 61.

[0068] The heat seal mark 43A is the mark of heat sealing by the second part 62, separate from the heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40 by the recessed material 611-613. The heat seal mark 43B is the mark of heat sealing by the third part 63, separate from the heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40 by the recessed material 611-613. In other words, the heat seal mark 43A is the mark of further heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40 by the second part 62, and the heat seal mark 43B is the mark of further heat sealing of the bottom seal portion 40 by the third part 63.

[0069] Since the areas on either side of the recessed portion C1 in the recessed material 611 of the bottom heating plate 60 are formed higher than the central part of the recessed portion C1 in the recessed material 611, they may not be heated as sufficiently as the central part of the recessed portion C1. The same applies to the recessed portions C2 and C3. Therefore, the heat sealing on both sides of the overlapping portion 47 that overlaps the bottom film 30 in the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 tends to be insufficient.

[0070] With the above configuration, in addition to the overlapping portion 47 being sealed in this sealing step, both sides of the overlapping portion 47 are sealed in the preceding and succeeding sealing steps. This makes it possible to manufacture a standing pouch 1 in which the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 are firmly heat-sealed.

[0071] Furthermore, in bottom heating plates that do not have the second part 62 and the third part 63, when the amount of heat was insufficient, it was necessary to raise the temperature of the bottom heating plate to a temperature above the melting point of the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30. This resulted in the problem of resin adhering to the bottom heating plate. In contrast, in a bottom heating plate 60 that has the second part 62 and the third part 63, sufficient heat sealing can be achieved without raising the temperature of the bottom heating plate 60 to a temperature above the melting point of the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30. This prevents resin from adhering to the bottom heating plate 60.

[0072] The lower end 621 of the second portion 62 is located above the lower end 61E of the first portion 61. Therefore, in the previous sealing step, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the second portion 62 to a location away from the bottom end 46 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 on one of the overlapping portions 47 when viewed from the opposite direction. As a result, the heat seal mark 43A shown in Figure 1 is formed at a location away from the bottom end 46 of the bottom sealing portion 40.

[0073] Furthermore, the lower end 631 of the third portion 63 is located above the lower end 61E of the first portion 61. Therefore, in the post-sealing step, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the third portion 63 against the other side of the overlapping portion 47, when viewed from the opposing direction, at a location away from the bottom end 46 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20. As a result, the heat seal mark 43B shown in Figure 1 is formed at a location away from the bottom end 46 of the bottom sealing portion 40.

[0074] It is highly likely that sufficient heat is transferred to the bottom edges 46 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 during sealing. In other words, by pressing the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 at locations away from the bottom edges 46 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20, heat sealing is achieved only in the areas where sufficient heat transfer is necessary. Therefore, heat can be uniformly transferred to the overlapping portions 47 of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 that overlap with the bottom film 30.

[0075] <Configuration of manufacturing equipment 70> Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 70 for producing the standing pouch 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the manufacturing apparatus 70 comprises a supply unit 71, an insertion unit 72, a conveying unit 73, a bottom heating plate 60, a bottom sealing mechanism 60M, a side sealing mechanism 75M, a side sealing heating plate 75, a cutting unit 78, and a control device 79. The control device 79 controls each part of the manufacturing apparatus 70.

[0076] The supply unit 71 supplies the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 in a state where the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 are facing each other. The transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 supplied from the supply unit 71 to the insertion unit 72. The insertion unit 72 inserts the bottom film 30 between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 so that the bottom film 30 is folded toward the space between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20.

[0077] The transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30, with the bottom film 30 inserted between the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 by the insertion unit 72, to the position of the bottom heating plate 60. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 to a position where a part of the first side film 10 and the second part 62 overlap.

[0078] Next, the control device 79 uses the bottom sealing mechanism 60M and the transport unit 73 to perform processing as shown in Figures 2 to 4. The transport unit 73 then transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30, which have undergone the processing shown in Figures 2 to 4, to the position of the side sealing heat plate 75. Specifically, the transport unit 73 transports the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 to a position where the first side film 10 faces the side sealing heat plate 75.

[0079] The side sealing mechanism 75M, which has a side sealing heat plate 75, presses the side sealing heat plate 75 against both sides of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 when viewed from the opposite direction. As a result, the side sealing mechanism 75M seals the pressed areas on both sides of the first side film 10 and the second side film 20 where they are pressed by the side sealing heat plate 75. Thus, side sealing portions 50A and 50B are formed on both sides of the first side film 10.

[0080] The conveying unit 73 conveys the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30, which have been pressed by the side seal heating plate 75, to the position of the cutting unit 78. Specifically, the conveying unit 73 conveys the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 to a position where the first side film 10 faces the cutting unit 78.

[0081] The cutting unit 78 cuts the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 into predetermined shapes. The cutting unit 78 performs, for example, a die-cut. The conveying unit 73 discharges the standing pouch 1 obtained by the die-cut performed by the cutting unit 78.

[0082] <Example 1> In Figure 2, it was explained that the first part 61 has three concave shapes C1 to C3, but the first part 61 may have only one concave shape C1. In this case, the first part 61 is composed of a recessed material 611, with a second part 62 provided on the side of the recessed material 611 opposite to the D1 direction, and a third part 63 provided on the side of the recessed material 611 in the D1 direction.

[0083] <Modification 2> In Figures 2 to 4, the transport unit 73 is shown to transport the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 in the D1 direction. However, the bottom sealing mechanism 60M may move the bottom heating plate 60 in the D1 direction while the first side film 10, the second side film 20, and the bottom film 30 are positioned in predetermined locations.

[0084] <Variation 3> As described above, the heat seal marks 43A and 43B are formed at a position away from the bottom end 46 of the bottom seal portion 40, so that heat seal is applied only to the areas where sufficient heat transfer is necessary. However, as a third modification, a fourth portion made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the second portion 62 may be provided below the end 621 of the second portion 62. Also, a fifth portion made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the third portion 63 may be provided below the end 631 of the third portion 63.

[0085] <Regarding the temperature in Part 1, 61> When viewed from the opposite direction, the area of ​​the upper ends on both sides of the recessed material 611 is smaller than the area of ​​the central part of the recessed material 611. Therefore, the temperature of the upper ends on both sides of the recessed material 611 is lower than the temperature of the central part of the recessed material 611. Similarly, the temperature of the upper ends on both sides of the recessed material 612 is lower than the temperature of the central part of the recessed material 612, and the temperature of the upper ends on both sides of the recessed material 613 is lower than the temperature of the central part of the recessed material 613.

[0086] Therefore, the temperatures on both sides of each of the concave shapes C1 to C3 in the first portion 61 of the bottom heating plate 60 are lower than the temperatures in the central parts of each of the concave shapes C1 to C3 in the first portion 61. Accordingly, it is preferable that the bottom sealing mechanism 60M presses the second portion 62 against one side 47A of the overlapping portion 47, as shown in Figure 2, and presses the third portion 63 against the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47, as shown in Figure 4. The bottom sealing mechanism 60M may perform either pressing the second portion 62 against one side 47A of the overlapping portion 47, or pressing the third portion 63 against the other side 47B of the overlapping portion 47.

[0087] <Additional Notes> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Configurations obtained by appropriately combining the multiple technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Standing Pouch 10 First Side Film 20 Second side film 30 Bottom film 31A, 31B Notches 40 Bottom seal section 42 Central section 43A, 43B Heat seal marks 45A, 45B Boundary 46 Bottom end 47 Overlapping part 60 Bottom heating plate (heated part) 61 Part 1 62 Part 2 63 3rd part C1, C2, C3 Concave shape

Claims

1. First side film and A second side film facing the first side film, A bottom film is disposed between the first side film and the second side film, The first side film and the second side film have a bottom seal portion formed thereon, to which the bottom film is heat-sealed. When viewed from the opposing directions in which the first side film and the second side film face each other, both sides of the bottom seal portion are formed to be higher than the central part of the bottom seal portion. A standing pouch characterized in that at least one of the two sides of the bottom seal portion has a heat seal mark formed thereon, which is a heat seal mark separate from the heat seal of the bottom seal portion.

2. The bottom film has a notch formed in it. The bottom seal portion includes the portion in which the first side film and the second side film are heat-sealed through the notch, The standing pouch according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed from the opposite direction, at least one of the two sides of the bottom sealing portion, the portion of the bottom film including the notch is heat-sealed by being pressed against the heated portion so as to cover the heated portion.

3. The standing pouch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat seal mark is formed at a position away from the bottom end of the bottom seal portion.

4. A method for manufacturing a standing pouch comprising a first side film, a second side film, and a bottom film, A first portion in which at least one concave shape is formed, A second portion provided on one of the two sides of the first portion that sandwiches the at least one concave portion, A heating step of heating a portion to be heated, which includes at least the first portion and the second portion, and a third portion provided on the other side of the two sides of the first portion that sandwiches the at least one concave portion. The process includes a placement step of arranging the first side film and the second side film opposite each other, and arranging the bottom film between the first side film and the second side film, After the heating step and the placement step, a pre-sealing step is performed in which the second portion is pressed against one of the overlapping portions of the first side film and the second side film that overlap with the bottom film, when viewed from the opposing direction in which the first side film and the second side film face each other, thereby sealing the pressed area. After the aforementioned sealing step, this sealing step involves overlapping the concave portion of the first portion with the overlapping portion and pressing the first portion to seal the pressed area, A method for manufacturing a standing pouch, comprising, after the main sealing step, a post-sealing step in which the third portion is pressed against the other side of the overlapping portion when viewed from the opposing direction, thereby sealing the pressed area, and at least the pre-sealing step and the main sealing step.

5. A method for manufacturing a standing pouch comprising a first side film, a second side film, and a bottom film, A first portion in which at least one concave shape is formed, A second portion provided on one of the two sides of the first portion that sandwiches the at least one concave portion, A heating step of heating a portion that includes at least the first portion and the third portion, and a third portion provided on the other side of the two sides of the first portion that sandwiches the at least one concave portion, The process includes a placement step of arranging the first side film and the second side film opposite each other, and arranging the bottom film between the first side film and the second side film, After the heating step and the placement step, a pre-sealing step is performed in which the second portion is pressed against one of the overlapping portions of the first side film and the second side film that overlap with the bottom film, when viewed from the opposing direction in which the first side film and the second side film face each other, thereby sealing the pressed area. After the heating step and the placement step or the pre-sealing step, the sealing step involves pressing the first portion against the overlapping portion by overlapping the concave portion of the first portion and pressing the first portion to seal the pressed area. A method for manufacturing a standing pouch, comprising, after the main sealing step, a post-sealing step in which the third portion is pressed against the other side of the overlapping portion when viewed from the opposing direction, thereby sealing the pressed area, and at least the main sealing step and the post-sealing step.

6. The bottom film has a notch formed in it. In the preceding sealing step, the second portion is pressed against the portion of the bottom film that includes the notch, on one of the overlapping portions when viewed from the opposing direction, thereby sealing the first side film and the second side film through the notch. The method for manufacturing a standing pouch according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, in the post-sealing step, the third portion is pressed against the portion of the bottom film that includes the notch on the other side of the overlapping portion when viewed from the opposing direction, thereby sealing the first side film and the second side film through the notch.

7. In the preceding sealing step, the second portion is pressed against one of the overlapping portions, when viewed from the opposing direction, at a location away from the bottom edge of the first side film and the second side film. The method for manufacturing a standing pouch according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, in the post-sealing step, the third portion is pressed on the other side of the overlapping portion, when viewed from the opposing direction, at a location on the first side film and the second side film that is away from the bottom end.

Images