Pouch

Abstract

To provide a pouch that can suppress the force of steam discharged from the unsealed portion. [Solution] The pouch is made of film. The pouch comprises a sealing portion that seals the films together on its outer circumference, a storage portion, and an unsealed portion provided on the side. The sealing portion comprises an upper sealing portion, a lower sealing portion, and an intermediate sealing portion located between the unsealed portion and the storage portion. The upper sealing portion has a protruding portion that projects downward on the side of the unsealed portion and on the side edge of the side portion.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pouch.

Background Art

[0002] A pouch is described in Patent Document 1. The pouch is composed of a film. Seal portions are formed on both side portions and the lower portion of the pouch. The pouch includes a storage portion. The storage portion is sandwiched between the films in the thickness direction of the pouch and is surrounded by the seal portions in plan view.

[0003] A non-seal portion is provided in a portion including the side edge of one side portion of the pouch. The seal portion formed on the side portion on the same side as the non-seal portion includes a portion (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate seal portion) between the storage portion and the non-seal portion.

[0004] Contents can be stored in the storage portion of the pouch and the upper portion of the pouch can be sealed. The pouch containing the contents can be used, for example, as follows. Place the pouch inside a microwave oven. Next, use the microwave oven to heat the contents. At this time, the temperature of the contents rises, the moisture contained in the contents evaporates and becomes steam. As a result, the pressure in the storage portion increases. Due to the increase in the pressure in the storage portion, the films that were sealed together peel off at the intermediate seal portion. The steam generated in the storage portion is discharged to the outside of the pouch through the intermediate seal portion where peeling has occurred and the non-seal portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Conventionally, when a pouch was heated using a microwave oven or the like, steam would sometimes be released excessively forcefully from the unsealed portion. In one aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable to provide a pouch that can suppress the force of steam released from the unsealed portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a pouch made of film. The pouch comprises a sealing portion that seals the films together on the outer periphery of the pouch, a housing portion sandwiched between the films in the thickness direction of the pouch and surrounded by the sealing portion in a plan view, and an unsealed portion provided on the side of the pouch, above the center of the housing portion and including the side edge of the side, where the films are not sealed together.

[0008] The sealing portion comprises an upper sealing portion extending upward from the non-sealing portion, a lower sealing portion extending downward from the non-sealing portion, and an intermediate sealing portion located between the non-sealing portion and the housing portion, and connected to the upper sealing portion and the lower sealing portion. The upper sealing portion has a projection that protrudes downward on the side of the non-sealing portion and on the side edge.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure, the pouch, can suppress the force of steam discharged from the unsealed portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the structure of the pouch. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the structure of the pouch. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the non-sealed section and the intermediate seal section. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the area that has been heat-sealed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> 1. Composition of Pouch 1 The structure of pouch 1 will be explained based on Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, pouch 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Plan view means viewing from a viewpoint in the thickness direction of pouch 1. The thickness direction of pouch 1 is the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figures 1 and 3, and the horizontal direction in Figure 2. Pouch 1 comprises a first side 3, a second side 5, a bottom 7, and an top 9. The first side 3, the second side 5, the bottom 7, and the top 9 correspond to the outer periphery of pouch 1. The outer periphery is the part on the outer side of pouch 1 in plan view. The first side 3 and the second side 5 correspond to the sides of pouch 1. The sides are part of the outer periphery.

[0012] The first side portion 3 is the part of pouch 1 located on the side in direction A as shown in Figure 1. The second side portion 5 is the part of pouch 1 located on the side in direction B as shown in Figure 1. The second side portion 5 is the part on the opposite side from the first side portion 3. The lower portion 7 is the part of pouch 1 located on the side in the downward direction D as shown in Figure 1. The upper portion 9 is the part of pouch 1 located on the upward direction U as shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Direction A is perpendicular to the thickness direction of pouch 1 and perpendicular to the side edge 13 of the first side portion 3. Direction B is the opposite direction of direction A. Downward direction D is perpendicular to the thickness direction of pouch 1, perpendicular to the side edge 17 of the lower portion 7, and perpendicular to directions A and B. Upward direction U is the opposite direction of downward direction D. Pouch 1 is a bottom gusset type pouch that can stand on its own with the lower portion 7 facing downwards. The side edges 13 and 17 are the outer edges of pouch 1. The outer edge is the portion that includes the outer edge of pouch 1 in a plan view.

[0014] Note that directions A, B, upward U, and downward D are all directions relative to pouch 1. When pouch 1 is standing upright with the lower part 7 facing downwards, upward U is vertically upward and downward D is vertically downward. For example, when pouch 1 is lying on its side, upward U and downward D are horizontal.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, pouch 1 is composed of a front film 21, a back film 23, and a bottom film 25. The front film 21, back film 23, and bottom film 25 are all rectangular in shape. The front film 21 and back film 23 are identical in shape and size.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the surface film 21 and the back film 23 are facing each other so that their entirety overlaps in a plan view. The lower film 25 is folded in half along the fold line 25a. The lower film 25 is divided into a surface portion 25b and a back portion 25c, with the fold line 25a as the boundary. The surface portion 25b and the back portion 25c are both rectangular in shape, and their size and shape are identical. Note that Figure 2 shows the state in which the third sealing portion 37 and the fourth sealing portion 39, which will be described later, are not yet sealed.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the lower film 25 is inserted between the surface film 21 and the back film 23 with the fold 25a facing upward U. In a plan view, the lower film 25 overlaps with the portions of the surface film 21 and the back film 23 that are facing downward D. Of the lower film 25, the surface portion 25b faces and is in contact with the surface film 21. Of the lower film 25, the back portion 25c faces and is in contact with the back film 23.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the pouch 1 includes a first seal portion 31, a second seal portion 33, and a lower seal portion 35. The first seal portion 31, the second seal portion 33, and the lower seal portion 35 correspond to the seal portions. The first seal portion 31 is formed in a portion of the first side portion 3 on the upper U side of the fold line 25a. The first seal portion 31 is a portion where the front film 21 and the back film 23 are sealed. The basic shape of the first seal portion 31 is a strip shape extending along the upper U and the lower D.

[0019] The second seal portion 33 is formed in a portion of the second side portion 5 on the upper U side of the fold line 25a. The second seal portion 33 is a portion where the front film 21 and the back film 23 are sealed. The basic shape of the second seal portion 33 is a strip shape extending along the upper U and the lower D.

[0020] The lower seal portion 35 is formed in a portion of the first side portion 3 on the lower D side of the fold line 25a, a portion of the second side portion 5 on the lower D side of the fold line 25a, and the lower portion 7 so as to be integrated in a plan view. The lower seal portion 35 is a portion where the front film 21 and the front portion 25b are sealed and the back film 23 and the back portion 25c are sealed. In a plan view, the shape of the boundary line 36 between the lower seal portion 35 and the accommodating portion 41 described later is an arc shape convex downward D. In a plan view, the lower seal portion 35 reaches the side edge 17.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the pouch 1 includes a third seal portion 37 and a fourth seal portion 39. The third seal portion 37 is formed in a portion of the first side portion 3 on the lower D side of the fold line 25a in a plan view. The fourth seal portion 39 is formed in a portion of the second side portion 5 on the lower D side of the fold line 25a in a plan view. In the third seal portion 37 and the fourth seal portion 39, the front portion 25b and the back portion 25c are sealed respectively.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the pouch 1 includes a storage portion 41. The storage portion 41 is sandwiched between a front film 21 and a back film 23 in the thickness direction of the pouch 1. The storage portion 41 is surrounded by a first seal portion 31, a second seal portion 33, and a lower seal portion 35 in a plan view. In the storage portion 41, the front film 21 and the back film 23 are not sealed. The storage portion 41 is a space inside the pouch 1.

[0023] When the storage portion 41 is in a state where no content is stored, the upper portion 9 can be in an unsealed state. After the storage portion 41 stores the content, the upper portion 9 can be sealed. When the upper portion 9 is sealed, the storage portion 41 is sealed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the pouch 1 includes an unsealed portion 51. The unsealed portion 51 is a portion of the first side portion 3 that is above the center 53 of the pouch 1 in the upward direction U and includes the side edge 13. The center 53 is the center of the storage portion 41 in a plan view. The positions of the center 53 in the directions A and B are the midpoints between the point on the storage portion 41 that is farthest to the side in the direction A and the point on the storage portion 41 that is farthest to the side in the direction B. Also, the positions of the center 53 in the downward direction D and the upward direction U are the midpoints between the point on the storage portion 41 that is farthest to the side in the downward direction D and the point on the storage portion 41 that is farthest to the side in the upward direction U. Note that the position of the center 53 is determined in a state where the upper portion 9 is sealed. The unsealed portion 51 is a portion where the front film 21 and the back film 23 overlap without being sealed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the first seal portion 31 includes an upper seal portion 61, a lower seal portion 63, and an intermediate seal portion 65. The upper seal portion 61 is on the upper side in the upward direction U from the unsealed portion 51. The upper seal portion 61 is a belt-shaped portion that extends upward in the upward direction U from the unsealed portion 51 and reaches the upper portion 9. The upper seal portion 61 and the unsealed portion 51 are adjacent. The width W1 of the upper seal portion 61 is, for example, 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The upper seal portion 61 is in contact with the side edge 13 in a plan view.

[0026] The lower sealing portion 63 is located on the side of the non-sealed portion 51 that is lower in direction D. The lower sealing portion 63 is a strip-shaped portion that extends downward in direction D from the non-sealed portion 51 and reaches the fold 25a. The lower sealing portion 63 and the non-sealed portion 51 are adjacent to each other. The width W2 of the lower sealing portion 63 is, for example, 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. In a plan view, the lower sealing portion 63 is in contact with the side edge 13.

[0027] The intermediate seal portion 65 is a strip-shaped portion located between the non-seal portion 51 and the housing portion 41. The intermediate seal portion 65 is adjacent to the non-seal portion 51 and adjacent to the housing portion 41. The intermediate seal portion 65 extends along the boundary line on the direction B side of the non-seal portion 51. The width W3 of the intermediate seal portion 65 is, for example, 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The width W3 is, for example, smaller than the widths W1 and W2.

[0028] The intermediate seal portion 65 is connected to the upper seal portion 61 and the lower seal portion 63. The intermediate seal portion 65 is located on the side of direction B more than the upper seal portion 61, the lower seal portion 63, and the non-seal portion 51. The intermediate seal portion 65 has a shape that protrudes in direction B.

[0029] The upper sealing portion 61 is provided with a protruding portion 61a. The protruding portion 61a is located on the side of the upper sealing portion 61 that is not sealing portion 51 and on the side edge 13, and protrudes downward in direction D. Due to the presence of the protruding portion 61a, the width W4 of the non-sealing portion 51 in the upward direction U and downward direction D is narrower on the side of the side edge 13 (i.e., the side in direction A) compared to the side in direction B.

[0030] The intermediate seal portion 65 has a protruding portion 65a. The protruding portion 65a is the part of the intermediate seal portion 65 on the side of the center 53. The protruding portion 65a has a shape that protrudes in the direction of the center 53. The shape of the boundary line 67 between the intermediate seal portion 65 and the housing portion 41 is a shape that does not contain acute angles. A shape that does not contain acute angles means, for example, a shape in which all parts are right angles, obtuse angles, or curves. The shape of the boundary line 67a between the part of the intermediate seal portion 65 on the downward direction D side and the housing portion 41 is arc-shaped.

[0031] The layer configuration of the surface film 21, back film 23, and bottom film 25 is, for example, layer configuration A or layer configuration B shown in Table 1. In layer configuration A and layer configuration B, layers 1 through 6 are laminated, respectively. Layer 1 is the outer layer of pouch 1, and layer 6 is the inner layer of pouch 1. In both layer configuration A and layer configuration B, the total thickness is 90 μm. [Table 1]

[0032] 2. Manufacturing method of pouch 1 With the surface film 21, back film 23, and lower film 25 positioned as described above, heat sealing is performed on the first sealing portion 31, second sealing portion 33, lower sealing portion 35, third sealing portion 37, and fourth sealing portion 39.

[0033] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the entirety of the first sealing portion 31, the second sealing portion 33, and the lower sealing portion 35 is heat-sealed using a mold. Note that the shaded areas in Figure 4 are the areas to be heat-sealed.

[0034] 3. Method for storing contents in pouch 1 Prepare a pouch 1 whose top 9 has not yet been heat-sealed. Next, place the contents into the storage compartment 41. Then, heat-seal the top 9. When the top 9 is heat-sealed, the storage compartment 41 is sealed. The contents are not particularly limited. Examples of contents include cooked food. Examples of cooked food include curry, stew, soup, boiled dishes, hamburgers, etc.

[0035] 4. The effect of Pouch 1 when Pouch 1 is heated. Prepare a pouch 1 in which the contents are contained in the storage compartment 41 and the top 9 is heat-sealed. Place this pouch 1 inside the microwave oven. At this time, make sure the pouch 1 is upright so that the bottom 7 is facing downwards.

[0036] Next, the contents are heated using a microwave oven. At this time, the temperature of the contents rises, and the moisture contained in the contents evaporates, becoming steam S. As a result, the pressure in the containment section 41 increases. Due to the increased pressure in the containment section 41, the surface film 21 and the back film 23 separate at the intermediate seal section 65.

[0037] Furthermore, the pressure in the housing section 41 is greater the closer it is to the center 53. Since the intermediate seal section 65 is closer to the center 53 than the upper seal section 61, the lower seal section 63, the second seal section 33, and the lower seal section 35, greater pressure is applied to the intermediate seal section 65. Therefore, when the pressure in the housing section 41 increases, delamination between the surface film 21 and the back film 23 occurs at the intermediate seal section 65.

[0038] In particular, the protruding portion 65a of the intermediate sealing portion 65 is the part on the side of the center 53, so greater pressure is applied there, making delamination more likely. Therefore, delamination between the surface film 21 and the back film 23 is more likely to occur at the protruding portion 65a.

[0039] When the surface film 21 and the back film 23 separate at the protruding portion 65a, as shown in Figure 3, the steam S generated in the containment portion 41 is discharged to the outside of the pouch 1 through the separated protruding portion 65a and the unsealed portion 51.

[0040] 5. Effects of Pouch 1 (1A) As described above, when the pouch 1 is heated, the steam S generated in the containment section 41 passes through the delaminating protrusion 65a and the non-sealed section 51 and is discharged to the outside of the pouch 1. The pouch 1 is provided with a protrusion 61a. The protrusion 61a is a part of the upper seal section 61 that is on the side of the non-sealed section 51 and on the side edge 13, and protrudes downward D. As shown in Figure 3, at least a portion of the steam S that passes through the delaminating protrusion 65a and enters the non-sealed section 51 hits the protrusion 65a, changes direction of travel, and is then discharged to the outside of the pouch 1. Therefore, the pouch 1 can suppress the force of the steam S discharged from the non-sealed section 51.

[0041] The non-sealed portion 51 is located above the center 53 in the direction U. Therefore, the direction of travel of steam S passing through the non-sealed portion 51 includes an upward component in the direction U. The protruding portion 65a is located above the non-sealed portion 51 in the direction U and has a shape that protrudes downward in the direction D. Therefore, steam S passing through the non-sealed portion 51 is likely to strike the protruding portion 65a.

[0042] (1B) The intermediate sealing portion 65 is provided with a protruding portion 65a. Since the protruding portion 65a is the part on the side of the center 53, when the pouch 1 is heated, greater pressure is applied, making delamination more likely. Therefore, delamination between the surface film 21 and the back film 23 can be caused at the protruding portion 65a.

[0043] (1C) The shape of the boundary line 67 does not include any sharp angles. Therefore, even when the pressure in the containment section 41 increases unintentionally when the pouch 1 is not heated, delamination at the intermediate seal section 65 can be suppressed.

[0044] (1D) The shape of the boundary line 67a is arc-shaped. Therefore, peeling is less likely to occur in the portion of the intermediate seal 65 that is close to the boundary line 67a. As a result, peeling can be caused in the protruding portion 65a.

[0045] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0046] (1) In the first embodiment, the first sealing portion 31, the second sealing portion 33, the lower sealing portion 35, the third sealing portion 37, and the fourth sealing portion 39 were formed by heat sealing, but some or all of them may be sealed by other methods. For example, sealing may be performed using an adhesive or the like. (2) Two or more of the surface film 21, back film 23, and bottom film 25 may consist of a single film. (3) Pouch 1 may be a pouch of a type other than a bottom gusset type. (4) A portion of the outer periphery of pouch 1 may be sealed by means other than a seal. (5) Pouch 1 does not have to have a protruding portion 65a. The shape of the boundary line 67 may include an acute angle. The shape of the boundary line 67a may be other than an arc.

[0047] (6) The function of one component in each of the above embodiments may be divided among multiple components, or the function of multiple components may be performed by one component. Also, some of the configurations of each of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least some of the configurations of each of the above embodiments may be added to, replaced with, etc., the configurations of other embodiments.

[0048] (7) In addition to the pouch 1 described above, this disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system that uses the pouch 1 as a component, a method for manufacturing the pouch 1, a method for sealing the pouch 1, etc.

[0049] [Technical Concept Disclosed in This Specified Specification] [Item 1] A pouch made of film, The outer periphery of the pouch includes a sealing portion that seals the films together, A housing portion sandwiched between the film in the thickness direction of the pouch and surrounded by the sealing portion in a plan view, A non-sealed portion is provided on the side of the pouch, which is located above the center of the containment portion and includes the side edge of the side, where the films are not sealed together. Equipped with, The aforementioned sealing portion is The upper sealing portion extending upward from the non-sealed portion, A lower sealing portion extending downward from the non-sealed portion, An intermediate sealing portion is located between the non-sealed portion and the housing portion and is connected to the upper sealing portion and the lower sealing portion, Equipped with, The upper sealing portion is provided with a projection that protrudes downward on the side of the non-sealing portion and on the side edge. Pouch. [Item 2] The pouch described in item 1, The intermediate sealing portion has a portion that protrudes in the direction of the center. Pouch. [Item 3] A pouch as described in item 1 or 2, The shape of the boundary line between the intermediate seal portion and the housing portion does not include any acute angles. Pouch. [Item 4] A pouch that is described in any one of items 1 to 3, The shape of the boundary line between the portion of the intermediate seal that is on the lower side and the housing portion is arc-shaped. Pouch. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1…Pouch, 3…First side, 5…Second side, 7…Bottom, 9…Top, 13, 17…Side edge, 21…Front film, 23…Back film, 25…Bottom film, 25a…Fold, 25b…Front part, 25c…Back part, 31…First seal part, 33…Second seal part, 35…Bottom seal part, 41…Storage part, 51…Unsealed part, 53…Center, 61…Upper seal part, 61a…Protrusion, 63…Lower seal part, 65…Intermediate seal part, 65a…Protrusion, 67, 67a…Boundary line, S…Steam

Claims

1. A pouch made of film, The outer periphery of the pouch includes a sealing portion that seals the films together, A housing portion sandwiched between the film in the thickness direction of the pouch and surrounded by the sealing portion in a plan view, A non-sealed portion is provided on the side of the pouch, which is located above the center of the containment portion and includes the side edge of the side, where the films are not sealed together. Equipped with, The aforementioned sealing portion is The upper sealing portion extending upward from the non-sealed portion, A lower sealing portion extending downward from the non-sealed portion, An intermediate sealing portion is located between the non-sealed portion and the housing portion and is connected to the upper sealing portion and the lower sealing portion, Equipped with, The upper sealing portion is provided with a projection that protrudes downward on the side of the non-sealing portion and on the side edge. Pouch.

2. A pouch according to claim 1, The intermediate sealing portion has a portion that protrudes in the direction of the center. Pouch.

3. A pouch according to claim 1 or 2, The shape of the boundary line between the intermediate seal portion and the housing portion does not include any acute angles. Pouch.

4. A pouch according to claim 1 or 2, The shape of the boundary line between the portion of the intermediate seal that is on the lower side and the housing portion is arc-shaped. Pouch.

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