Flexible Container

Abstract

This flexible container, which accommodates contents and in which the accommodated contents are extracted by causing a bag breaking tool to pass through the flexible container from the outside, comprises an outer bag and an inner bag. The outer bag has a bottom surface part. The inner bag is accommodated in the outer bag, and filled with the contents. The outer bag has a mark section on the outer surface of the bottom surface part. The mark section indicates the position from which the bag breaking tool passes through the container.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Flexible containers are often used to store and transport various contents such as powders, grains, vegetables, etc. There are various types of flexible containers, one of which is a type that has an inlet for filling the contents at the top and an outlet at the bottom (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). This type of flexible container is hung when opened, and the contents are removed from the outlet at the bottom.

[0003] The flexible containers of Patent Documents 1 to 3 have a double structure and include an inner bag filled with contents and an outer bag in which the inner bag is housed. A lower opening is formed in the bottom of the outer bag, and this lower opening is covered by a corolla-shaped lid that is continuous with the edge that defines the lower opening at the bottom except when the container is opened. The corolla-shaped lid is called the "lower outer lid" (16) in Patent Document 1, the "lid holding piece" (16a to 16d) in Patent Document 2, and the "chrysanthemum split part" (18) in Patent Document 3. The corolla-shaped lid is made up of parts corresponding to a number of petals, and by tying a string passed through the center of these parts, these parts are arranged radially as if forming a corolla in the same plane as the bottom, thereby closing the lower opening. On the other hand, when opening the container, by untying the string, the parts corresponding to the petals hang down and the lower opening opens. The contents are then taken out through the outlet part corresponding to the lower part of the inner bag that is pulled out from the lower opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility model registration No. 3191096 [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-26202 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2016-33022 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the flexible containers described above, for example, when opening the bag, it is necessary to untie the string that secures the corolla-shaped lid to open the lid, pull out the discharge outlet of the inner bag, cut the heat-sealed part at the tip of the discharge outlet, and untie the string that binds the discharge outlet. However, such bag opening work is not necessarily easy for the worker and tends to be a burden in terms of time. For this reason, a flexible container that is easy to handle and has good workability is desired.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible container that can improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A flexible container according to one aspect of the present invention is a flexible container that contains contents and from which the contained contents can be removed by penetrating a bag breaker from the outside, and includes an outer bag and an inner bag. The outer bag has a bottom portion. The inner bag is contained within the outer bag and is filled with the contents. The outer bag has a marker portion on the outer surface of the bottom portion. The marker portion indicates the position where the bag breaker is to be penetrated.

[0008] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the sign portion may be a pattern displayed on an outer surface of the bottom portion.

[0009] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the sign portion may be a cutout hole formed by partially cutting out the bottom portion. According to the above configuration, since the bag breaker does not come into contact with the outer bag, the load on the bag breaker can be reduced. Furthermore, according to this configuration, fragments of the outer bag are less likely to be broken when the bag is opened. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that fragments of the outer bag will be mixed in as foreign matter with the contents removed from the flexible container. As a result, the workability of handling flexible containers is improved.

[0010] The flexible container according to the above aspect may further include a sagging suppression means configured to suppress sagging of the inner bag from the cutout hole.

[0011] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the sagging suppression means may include a covering member that covers at least a portion of the cutout hole.

[0012] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the covering member may include a sheet-like member placed between the bottom portion and the inner bag.

[0013] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the outer bag and the inner bag may be fixed to each other at least in part.

[0014] In the flexible container according to the above aspect, the inner bag may be filled with water-absorbent resin particles as the contents. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, flexible containers can be easily and reliably broken by aligning a bag breaking tool with the marking portion provided on the bottom surface of the flexible container and penetrating it, thereby shortening the time required to open flexible containers and improving workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an unfolded flexible container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. [Diagram 3] Top view of a flexible container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a flexible container. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flexible container suspended from above by a hoisting device. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the operation of opening a flexible container. [Figure 7A] FIG. [Figure 7B] FIG. [Figure 7C] FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 13 is a see-through view of the inside of an outer bag according to a modified example. [Figure 8B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom portion of an outer bag according to another modified example. [Figure 8C] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of an outer bag according to another modified example. [Figure 9A] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet-like member according to a modified example. [Figure 9B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet-like member according to another modified example. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the lower end portion of the side surface of the outer bag. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A flexible container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a flexible container (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a container) 1 according to this embodiment. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction in Fig. 1 will be referred to as "up-down" and the explanation will be based on this.

[0018] <1. Overall structure of flexible container> A flexible container 1 is a container for containing contents and is used to store and transport the contents. As its name suggests, a flexible container 1 is made of a flexible material. Therefore, the container 1 expands three-dimensionally when filled with contents, but can be folded flat when empty.

[0019] The type of contents filled in the container 1 is not particularly limited, and is typically powder, grain, vegetables, etc. The contents may be those whose properties are easily affected by moisture in the air, and among them, water-absorbent resin particles are particularly preferred.

[0020] The flexible container 1 has a double structure and includes an outer bag 2 and an inner bag 3 housed in the outer bag 2. The contents are filled inside the inner bag 3. The outer bag 2 is made of a material that mainly uses a high-strength cloth. The outer bag 2 has a main body portion 20 that covers most of the inner bag 3, and the main body portion 20 has a top surface portion 21, a bottom surface portion 22, and a side surface portion 23. In this embodiment, the top surface portion 21 and the bottom surface portion 22 are square-shaped. That is, the main body portion 20 of the outer bag 2 is substantially rectangular, and the side surface portion 23 includes four rectangular side surfaces. The side surface portion 23 is provided with a pocket 23a made of a transparent material, into which a label or the like is inserted. An opening (hereinafter referred to as an upper opening) 21a is formed in the center of the top surface portion 21. In addition, the outer bag 2 has a sign portion 22a on the outer surface of the bottom surface portion 22, and in this embodiment, a notch hole is used as the sign portion 22a. Hereinafter, the notched hole will be denoted by the same reference numeral as the marking portion and will be referred to as the notched hole 22a. The detailed configuration of the notched hole 22a will be described later.

[0021] The inner bag 3 is mainly made of a material such as a resin film, has a bottom surface portion 32 and side surfaces portion 33, and is generally rectangular in shape with an open top (see FIG. 2). The top of the inner bag 3 extends above the top surface portion 21 through the top opening 21a, forming a filling port portion 31 for the contents. The contents are filled into the inner bag 3 through the filling port portion 31. In other words, the filling port portion 31 forms an input path R1 for filling the contents into the inner bag 3.

[0022] The overall length of the inner bag 3 in the up-down direction is longer than the overall length of the outer bag 2 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3 is rectangular, and extension ends 32a extend from two opposing sides of the bottom surface portion 32 toward the outside of the inner bag 3. The extension ends 32a may be fixed by a fixing means such as sewing while being sandwiched between the bottom surface portion 22 and the side surface portion 23 of the outer bag 2. That is, the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 may be fixed to each other at least in a part. By fixing the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 (particularly, by fixing the outer bag 2 to the bottom surface portion 32 and / or the side surface portion 33 near the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3), it becomes easier to suppress sagging from the notch hole 22a of the inner bag 3, and the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3 is appropriately tensed when filled with contents, making it easier for the bag breaker 90 to penetrate. In addition, "the inner bag 3 sags from the cutout hole 22a" means that when the container 1 is lifted, the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 protrudes downwardly below the bottom portion 22 of the outer bag 2 through the cutout hole 22a, and "sagging is suppressed" includes not only completely preventing sagging, but also suppressing the degree to which the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 protrudes downwardly below the bottom portion 22 of the outer bag 2 to a level that does not affect the actual use of the flexible container 1.

[0023] Furthermore, by fixing the extended end portion 32a of the inner bag 3 to the outer bag 2, the inner bag 3 becomes less likely to break and the airtightness of the inner bag 3 can be better maintained. Therefore, the inner bag 3 can be preferably filled with contents whose properties are easily affected by moisture in the air (for example, water-absorbent resin particles).

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, the side portion 23 of the outer bag 2 is folded inward, and the bottom portion 22 of the outer bag 2 and the extended end portion 32a of the inner bag 3 are sandwiched in the folded portion, and further sewn together at the position indicated by the dashed line, thereby fixing the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 to each other. Note that an end portion of a sheet-like member 50 described later may be disposed between the extended end portion 32a and the bottom portion 22 and fixed together with other portions. In this way, by making the fixing means (sewing in this embodiment) of the outer bag 2, the inner bag 3, and the sheet-like member 50 common, the fixed portion becomes harder and less likely to deform, and the fixed portion of the sheet-like member 50 becomes less likely to break. In addition, by covering the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 with the sheet-like member 50, the bottom surface of the flexible container 1 after filling with the contents is kept smoother, and it becomes easier to penetrate the bag-breaking tool 90 described later at the desired position.

[0025] The outer bag 2 has a tubular filling port cover 25 that extends above the top surface portion 21 from the top opening 21a. The filling port cover 25 is a cover that covers from the outside the filling port portion 31 of the inner bag 3 that protrudes from the top surface portion 21 through the top opening 21a. The filling port cover 25 is fixed to the top surface portion 21 by sewing or the like, and is arranged so as to stand up from the vicinity of the edge that defines the top opening 21a. The cross-sectional shape of the filling port cover 25 is a circle that is approximately the same size as the top opening 21a.

[0026] The opening area of ​​the upper part of the inner bag 3 (filling mouth portion 31) is larger than the opening area of ​​the filling mouth cover 25. Therefore, the filling mouth portion 31 is wrinkled and squeezed when contained in the outer bag 2. As described above, the filling mouth portion 31 forms the filling mouth together with the filling mouth cover 25, and therefore, hereinafter, the filling mouth portion 31 and the filling mouth cover 25 may be collectively referred to as the filling port P1.

[0027] <1-1. Configuration near the filling port> The structure in the vicinity of the filling port P1 will be described below. The filling port P1 is closed by a closing means that closes the input path R1. An example of the closing means is a fastener 45 that fastens the filling port P1. In this embodiment, the fastener 45 is fixed to the outer surface of the filling port cover 25 as shown in FIG. 1. The fastener 45 is a string-like member. The fastener 45 is attached by sewing or the like near the center in the vertical direction of the filling port cover 25 so that the fastener 45 extends horizontally when the filling port P1 is not fastened.

[0028] When closing the input path R1, first, the filling port portion 31 is squeezed together with the filling port cover 25 covering it so as to close the input path R1. Then, the binder 45 is wrapped around the filling port P1 so as to maintain this squeezed state. At this time, the binder 45 is tied, for example, by a method such as a bow knot. More specifically, the filling port cover 25 and the filling port portion 31 may be tied together with a single knot, and then the filling port portion 31 protruding from the filling port cover 25 may be folded back to one side so that the tip of the filling port portion 31 faces downward, and this folded back portion of the filling port portion 31 may be tied to the filling port cover 25 with a bow knot.

[0029] The outer bag 2 has a corolla-shaped lid (hereinafter referred to as corolla lid) 24 for opening and closing the upper opening 21a. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outer bag 2 with the corolla lid 24 closed. The corolla lid 24 includes a plurality of petal-shaped portions (hereinafter referred to as petal portions) 24a. These petal portions 24a are radially arranged around the central axis A1 when the corolla lid 24 is closed, and cover the upper opening 21a except for its central portion. The petal portions 24a have the same shape, and are each approximately trapezoidal, but their bases are arc-shaped corresponding to the contour of the upper opening 21a. That is, the bases of the petal portions 24a are continuous with the portion of the upper surface portion 21 that is outside the edge that defines the upper opening 21a.

[0030] The corolla lid is provided with an opening and closing means, and in this embodiment, the opening and closing means is constituted by a string passage and a string inserted into the string passage. Specifically, a string passage extending in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis A1 is formed near the inner end of the petal portion 24a, and one string 24b is inserted into these passages. Both ends of the string 24b that are not inserted into the string passage are gathered by the slider 24c. The slider 24c moves along the bundle of two strings 24b, thereby opening and closing the corolla lid 24. Specifically, when the slider 24c is moved so that the loop formed by the string 24b becomes smaller, that is, when the string 24b is tied, the petal portion 24a falls so as to spread out in the same plane as the upper surface portion 21, and the closed state shown in FIG. 3 is reached. On the other hand, when the slider 24c is moved so that the loop formed by the string 24b becomes larger, that is, when the string 24b is loosened, the petal portion 24a can be made to stand straight up and down as shown in FIG.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the filling port cover 25 is disposed inside the corolla lid 24. That is, the corolla lid 24 is fixed to the upper surface portion 21 so as to surround the filling port cover 25 from the outside. In addition, the inner lid 4 is disposed outside the filling port cover 25 and inside the corolla lid 24. The inner lid 4 is also surrounded by the corolla lid 24 from the outside. The filling port P1 bound by the binding tool 45 is folded appropriately and accommodated inside the corolla lid 24, and then the corolla lid 24 is closed. At this time, the inner lid 4 covers the filling port P1 from above inside the corolla lid 24. It is not necessary that the corolla lid 24 is completely closed as shown in FIG. 3. That is, the filling port P1 may be partially protruded from the opening 24d formed in the center of the corolla lid 24.

[0032] <1-2. Configuration near the bottom> Next, the configuration near the bottom surface of the container 1 will be described. The bottom surface of the container 1 is configured so that the bag-breaking tool 90 disposed below the container 1 penetrates it when the container 1 is opened. FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the container 1 according to this embodiment. The outer bag 2 has a sign portion 22a on the outer surface of the bottom surface portion 22. The sign portion 22a indicates the position where the bag-breaking tool 90 penetrates. Therefore, the sign portion 22a is formed in such a manner that it is distinguished from other parts of the outer surface of the bottom surface portion 22. In this embodiment, the sign portion 22a is an opening (notched hole) formed by cutting out the central portion of the bottom surface portion 22. The notched hole 22a is circular in this embodiment. Note that the upper opening 21a and the notched hole 22a would not normally appear in the side view of FIG. 1, but for reference, their positions are indicated by shading. The main body 20, the top surface 21, the bottom surface 22, the upper opening 21a and the notched hole 22a are arranged coaxially, and hereinafter, the central axis common to these will be represented by the symbol A1.

[0033] The container 1 of this embodiment includes a drooping suppression means for preventing the inner bag 3 filled with the contents from drooping from the notch hole 22a and damaging the inner bag 3. The drooping suppression means may include, for example, a covering member that covers at least a part of the notch hole 22a. The location where the covering member is installed may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment, such as the outer and inner surfaces of the bottom portion 22 of the outer bag 2, the outer and inner surfaces of the side portion 23, the outer surface of the inner bag 3, and between the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3. In this embodiment, a sheet-like member 50 is used as the covering member (drooping suppression means). Specifically, the container 1 according to this embodiment further includes a sheet-like member 50 that is installed between the bottom portion 22 of the outer bag 2 and the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 and covers the notch hole 22a. In this embodiment, the sheet-like member 50 has a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the bottom portion 22, and covers the entire notch hole 22a from the inside of the outer bag 2. That is, in Fig. 4, it is not the inner bag 3 but the sheet-like member 50 that is exposed from the cutout hole 22a. Since the cutout hole 22a is covered by the sheet-like member 50 in this way, the inner bag 3 is not exposed from the cutout hole 22a and is less likely to droop. As described above, this drooping can also be reduced by fixing the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 near the periphery of the bottom surface portion 32, but since the inner bag 3 is required to be soft, its thickness is limited and it is prone to stretching, making it difficult to sufficiently suppress the drooping by this alone. Therefore, even if the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 are fixed, it is preferable to provide a droop suppressing means such as the sheet-like member 50.

[0034] The area of ​​the notched hole 22a is preferably 5% or more, 10% or more, or 15% or more of the area of ​​the bottom surface 22 of the outer bag 2 (area including the notched hole 22a) in consideration of facilitating the alignment of the bag breaker 90. Also, in order to make it easier to suppress sagging of the inner bag 3, the area of ​​the notched hole 22a is preferably 30% or less, 25% or less, or 20% or less of the area of ​​the bottom surface 22 of the outer bag 2 (area including the notched hole 22a).

[0035] The sheet-like member 50 not only prevents the inner bag 3 from sagging from the notch hole 22a due to the weight of the contents when the container 1 is transported or suspended, but also prevents the inner bag 3 from being exposed from the notch hole 22a. The sheet-like member 50 is preferably made of a material that has flexibility that does not interfere with the flexibility of the outer bag 2 and does not deform significantly compared to the inner bag 3. Furthermore, the sheet-like member 50 is cut open by the bag-breaking tool 90 together with the inner bag 3 when the container 1 is opened. Therefore, the sheet-like member 50 is made of a material that can be cut open by the bag-breaking tool 90.

[0036] The material constituting the sheet-like member 50 can be appropriately changed depending on the contents of the container 1 and the selected inner bag 3, but it is desirable that the material is not only easy to cut open by the bag-breaking tool 90, but also has a certain degree of moisture impermeability so that the physical properties do not change when the contents are water-absorbent resin particles. Such materials include synthetic resins, specifically polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic olefins, and copolymers containing polyethylene; polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid; polyamide-based resins; and polystyrene-based resins. The material of the sheet-like member 50 is preferably a polyolefin-based resin, and more preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. If the sheet-like member 50 is made of a material that is easily torn, a large hole may be unintentionally opened in the sheet-like member 50 by an external scratch, and as a result, the inner bag 3 exposed from the hole may be torn. However, if the sheet-like member 50 is made of polyethylene or polypropylene (particularly polyethylene), even if a small scratch is made in the sheet-like member 50, it will not lead to a large hole, and the inner bag 3 can be prevented from being torn.

[0037] Furthermore, the thickness of the sheet-like member 50 can be appropriately selected depending on the contents of the container 1. When the contents are water-absorbent resin particles, the thickness of the sheet-like member 50 is desirably within a range in which the sheet-like member 50 can be easily cut open by the bag-breaking tool 90, the sagging of the inner bag 3 can be sufficiently suppressed, and a certain degree of moisture impermeability can be ensured so that the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin particles do not change. In consideration of these, the specific thickness of the sheet-like member 50 has a lower limit of, for example, 50 μm, preferably 80 μm, more preferably 100 μm, and particularly preferably 120 μm, and an upper limit of, for example, 500 μm, preferably 300 μm, and more preferably 200 μm.

[0038] <1-3. Other configurations> The container 1 further includes a plurality of hooking members 35b fixed to the outer bag 2. The hooking members 35b are members for hooking the flexible container 1 to a suspending member 7 that suspends the flexible container 1 from above. The hooking members 35b correspond to the upper parts of the string-like members (hereinafter, referred to as frame strings) 35 arranged near the center in the width direction of the side surface portion 23 of the outer bag 2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, near the center in the width direction of the side surface portion 23 and above the pocket 23a, the ends 35a of the two frame strings 35 are overlapped and fixed by sewing or the like. The upper part of one frame string 35 straddles the four corners of the top surface portion 21, and the end 35a is fixed to the adjacent side surface portion 23 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the upper part of the frame string 35 is formed to maintain a loop shape, which becomes the hooking member 35b.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows the state of the container 1 hung from above with the hooked devices 35b hooked to the hoisting devices 7. As shown in Fig. 5, the flexible container 1 can be hung from above by hooking the hooked devices 35b to, for example, four hoisting devices 7 hanging from above. The hoisting devices 7 are typically hooks.

[0040] <2. How to use flexible containers> Next, a method for using the above-mentioned flexible container 1 will be described. A method for filling an empty flexible container 1 with contents and a method for opening the flexible container 1 will be described below in order.

[0041] <2-1. How to fill flexible containers> First, the outer bag 2, the inner bag 3, and the sheet-like member 50 are prepared. The sheet-like member 50 is placed in the outer bag 2 so as to fit along the bottom surface portion 22, and the cutout hole 22a is covered from the inside. Next, the inner bag 3 is placed in the outer bag 2. The inner bag 3 is placed so that the bottom surface portion 32 fits along the upper surface of the sheet-like member 50, and the side surface portion 33 fits along the inner surface of the side surface portion 23. Then, the filling port portion 31 at the upper part of the inner bag 3 is inserted into the upper opening 21a of the upper surface portion 21 of the outer bag 2 and the filling port cover 25, and is pulled out so as to be slightly exposed from the upper end of the filling port cover 25. As a result, the filling port portion 31 protruding above the upper surface portion 21 through the upper opening 21a and the filling port cover 25 form a filling port P1.

[0042] Next, the contents are filled into the empty flexible container 1 prepared as described above. First, the empty container 1 is placed below a device such as a hopper that supplies the contents (hereinafter referred to as a supply device) in a position in which the upper surface part 21 faces upward. Next, the hooking device 35b of the outer bag 2 is hooked to a hanging device such as a hook of the supply device, and the flexible container 1 is hung from above. Then, the slider 24c is loosened to open the corolla lid 24, and the inner lid 4 is also opened, and the filling port P1 is opened as large as possible into a cylindrical shape. Next, the discharge port of the supply device is inserted into the input path R1. At this time, the filling port P1 may be fixed to the supply device with a jig or the like so as to cover the discharge port of the supply device. As a result, the input path R1 is opened widely toward the upper side, that is, toward the discharge port that discharges the contents in the supply device. Next, the discharge port of the supply device is opened, and the contents are input from the supply device into the inner bag 3 through the input path R1.

[0043] After the contents are filled, the filling port P1 is closed. Specifically, the filling port P1 is narrowed so as to close the input path R1 formed inside the filling opening 31. Then, the binder 45 is tightly wound around the elongated filling port P1 so as to surround it from the outside, and the binder 45 is then tied to lock the wound state. Next, the filling port P1 is folded, the inner lid 4 is placed on top of it, and the corolla lid 24 is then closed. This closes the upper opening 21a, and the filling port P1 is housed inside the corolla lid 24. In this manner, the flexible container 1 containing the contents is manufactured.

[0044] The flexible container 1 with the contents is stored in an appropriate storage location and transported as necessary. When the flexible container 1 needs to be moved during transportation, it can be placed on a pallet and transported by a transport device such as a forklift. In addition, a transport device such as a crane having a hoisting device such as a hook can be used. In other words, the flexible container 1 can be easily moved by driving the transport device with the hook receiving device 35b hooked to the hoisting device of the transport device.

[0045] <2-2. How to open a flexible container> Next, a method for opening a flexible container 1 containing contents will be described with reference to an example shown in FIG. 6. First, the container 1 containing contents is placed above a device such as a hopper to which the contents are supplied (hereinafter referred to as a supplied device 91) with the bottom part 22 facing downward. The method for placing the container 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the container 1 can be lifted up with the hooked devices 35b of the container 1 hooked to four movable hoists 7a hanging from above, and then the hoists 7a can be moved to place the container 1 above the supplied device 91. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the hoists 7a can be moved in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the direction of the paper surface of FIG. 6.

[0046] A bag-breaking tool 90 is fixed above the center of the supply device 91 shown in FIG. 6. The bag-breaking tool 90 is typically a blade, and is fixed with the blade pointing upward. The bag-breaking tool 90 is configured to penetrate both the label portion of the outer bag 2 and the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3. In this embodiment, the bag-breaking tool 90 is configured to penetrate both the sheet-like member 50 and the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3. Therefore, the container 1 is positioned so that the blade tip of the bag-breaking tool 90 is located inside the circular periphery that defines the notched hole 22a of the bottom surface portion 22 of the outer bag 2 (for reference, the position of the notched hole 22a is indicated by shading in FIG. 6). In other words, the container 1 is positioned so that the bag-breaking tool 90 penetrates the portion of the sheet-like member 50 that is exposed through the notched hole 22a. The positioning of the container 1 may be performed by an operator visually while checking the position of the notched hole 22a, which is the marker portion, for example.Also, the positioning may be performed while checking an image captured by a camera installed near the bag breaker 90 on a remote monitor.

[0047] Next, all of the hanging tools 7a are moved downward in Fig. 6 so that the bottom surface 32 of the inner bag 3 of the container 1 is positioned below the blade tip of the bag-breaking tool 90. At this time, the blade tip of the bag-breaking tool 90 penetrates the sheet-like member 50 exposed from the notched hole 22a and the bottom surface 32 of the inner bag 3. As a result, the contents filled in the inner bag 3 are discharged to the supply device 91 through the periphery of the bag-breaking tool 90.

[0048] <3. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the gist of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0049] <3-1> In the above embodiment, the main body 20 of the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape.

[0050] <3-2> The form of the marker portion 22a is not limited to a notch hole. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, it may be a pattern displayed on the outer surface of the bottom portion 22. The method of forming the pattern may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. For example, the pattern may be drawn on the bottom portion 22 with ink or the like, or may be formed by changing the weave of the material such as cloth constituting the outer bag 2 in a part of the bottom portion 22.

[0051] <3-3> The configuration of the notch hole 22a is not limited to the one described above (one through hole). For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the bottom surface portion 22 may be configured to have two substantially semicircular through holes. In such a configuration, the strip portion 22d that divides (defines the boundary between) the two through holes can function as a drooping suppressing means that suppresses the inner bag 3 from drooping from the notch hole 22a. The strip portion 22d may be a part of the bottom surface portion 22 that remains when the two through holes are formed (in this case, the material of the strip portion 22d is necessarily the same as that of the bottom surface portion 22), or may be formed by forming one through hole and then attaching a strip-shaped member that is separate from the outer bag 2 so as to cover a part of the through hole (in this case, the material of the strip portion 22d may be the same as or different from that of the bottom surface portion 22).

[0052] <3-4> The drooping suppression means for suppressing the inner bag 3 from drooping from the notch hole 22a is not limited to the above-mentioned sheet-like member 50, and can be appropriately selected according to the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, the container 1 may be provided with a string-like member 51 that covers a part of the notch hole 22a as a covering member. The string-like member 51 may be fixed, for example, to the side portion 23 of the outer bag 2 by a fixing means such as sewing so as to follow the outer surface of the bottom portion 22. With this configuration, the strength of the bottom portion 22 can be improved. In addition to this, the string-like member 51 may be further fixed by a fixing means such as sewing around the notch hole 22a. With this configuration, even if the string-like member 51 is cut by the bag-breaking tool 90, pieces of the string-like member 51 are prevented from being separated from the bottom portion 22 and mixed into the contents taken out. The above configuration is merely an example, and the material and number of the string-like member 51, the fixing means, the fixing position, etc. can be appropriately selected.

[0053] Further, an example of the sagging suppression means is shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8A shows a see-through view of the inner surface of the bottom surface portion 22 of the outer bag 2. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, an annular convex portion 22b protruding toward the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3 is formed on the inner surface of the bottom surface portion 22 along the periphery that defines the notched hole 22a. The convex portion 22b serves to resist the force of the contents filled in the inner bag 3 entering the notched hole 22a together with the inner bag 3. The convex portion 22b may be formed integrally with the bottom surface portion 22 of the outer bag 2, or may be formed separately from the outer bag 2 and then fixed to the bottom surface portion 22. In addition, the convex portion 22b does not necessarily have to be formed so as to surround the entire periphery of the notched hole 22a. In other words, the convex portion 22b may be formed partially along the periphery of the notched hole 22a.

[0054] Further, an example of the sagging suppression means is shown in Figs. 8B and C. Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the bottom surface portion 22 of the outer bag 2, and Fig. 8C is a bottom view of the outer bag 2. In the example shown in Figs. 8B and C, a plurality of receiving portions 22c are formed on the outer surface of the bottom surface portion 22 along the periphery that defines the notched hole 22a. The receiving portions 22c serve to receive the inner bag 3 when a part of the inner bag 3 hangs down from the notched hole 22a. The receiving portions 22c may be formed integrally with the bottom surface portion 22 of the outer bag 2, or may be formed separately from the outer bag 2 and then fixed to the bottom surface portion 22. In addition, the receiving portions 22c do not necessarily have to be formed so as to surround the entire periphery of the notched hole 22a. In other words, the receiving portions 22c may be formed partially along the periphery of the notched hole 22a.

[0055] <3-5> In the above embodiment, the container 1 includes the sheet-like member 50. However, depending on the embodiment, the sheet-like member 50 may be omitted as appropriate.

[0056] <3-6> The sheet-like member 50 may be at least partially fixed to either the outer bag 2 or the inner bag 3, or to both the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the sheet-like member 50 from shifting or twisting and becoming biased in one direction within the outer bag 2. When the sheet-like member 50 is fixed to both the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3, for example, as described above, the ends of the sheet-like member 50 can be arranged as shown in Fig. 10 and then fixed by a fixing means such as sewing.

[0057] <3-7> The configuration of the sheet-like member 50 is not limited to the above. For example, the shape of the sheet-like member 50 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a circular shape, a cross shape, or the like, as appropriate. Furthermore, the sheet-like member 50 may have an uneven surface 50a on which unevenness is formed. By placing the sheet-like member 50 with the uneven surface 50a facing the bottom surface portion 32 of the inner bag 3, friction occurs between the inner bag 3 and the sheet-like member 50, and it is possible to prevent the inner bag 3 from moving within the outer bag 2 or from being biased in one direction. The cross-sectional shape of the unevenness may be appropriately selected, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B.

[0058] <3-8> In the above embodiment, when opening the container 1, the marked portion (notched hole 22a) of the container 1 is aligned with the blade of the bag breaker 90, and the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 is positioned below the blade of the bag breaker 90 so that the bag breaker 90 penetrates the container 1. However, the method of opening the container 1 is not limited to this. For example, the container 1 may be placed above the supplied device 91, and the blade of the bag breaker 90 may be aligned with the marked portion of the container 1. Also, the bag breaker 90 may be moved upward relative to the container 1, and the blade of the bag breaker 90 may be positioned above the bottom portion 32 of the inner bag 3 so that the bag breaker 90 penetrates the container 1.

[0059] <3-9> The means for fastening the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3 are not limited to the above means, and can be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. For example, as an alternative to sewing, the corners of the side of the inner bag 3 may be sewn and fixed between the seams between the side portions 23 of the outer bag 2. Also, fastening means other than sewing can be adopted. For example, a convex part of a snap button may be attached to one of the outer bag 2 and the inner bag 3, and a concave part may be attached to the other, so that the two are fastened together by a button. Furthermore, the two may be fastened together by a hook-and-loop fastener. In other words, the fastening means may be a snap button, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like.

[0060] The container 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and may be modified in design as appropriate within the intended scope of the present invention, such as by combining the configurations of the respective embodiments. For example, the drooping suppression means may be a combination of sheet-like member 50 and at least one selected from string-like member 51 shown in <3-4>, annular protrusion 22b, and receiving portion 22c. In addition, two substantially semicircular through holes shown in Fig. 7B may be used as sign portion 22a, and at least one selected from sheet-like member 50, string-like member 51 shown in <3-4>, annular protrusion 22b, and receiving portion 22c may be used as the drooping suppression means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Flexible Container 2 Outer bag 3 Inner bag 21 Top part 21a Upper opening 22 Bottom part 22a Notched hole 25 Filling port cover 31 Filling port 32 Bottom part 35b Hanging device 45 Binding tool 50 Sheet-like member 90 Bag Breaker R1 input route

Claims

1. A flexible container that contains contents and allows the contents to be removed by piercing a bag-breaking tool from the outside, an outer bag having a bottom portion; an inner bag that is accommodated in the outer bag and that is filled with the contents; Equipped with The outer bag has a label on an outer surface of the bottom portion, The marking portion indicates a position where the bag breaker is to be inserted. Flexible containers (excluding those equipped with a bottom reinforcing sheet sandwiched between the bottom of the inner bag and the bottom of the outer bag, the lower part of which is sealed to form a complete bag).

2. A flexible container that accommodates contents and from which the accommodated contents can be removed by piercing a bag-breaking tool from the outside, an outer bag having a bottom portion; an inner bag that is accommodated in the outer bag and that is filled with the contents; Equipped with The outer bag has a label on an outer surface of the bottom portion, The marking portion indicates a position where the bag breaker is to be inserted, The sign portion is a pattern displayed on the outer surface of the bottom portion. Flexible container.

3. The sign portion is a notched hole formed by partially cutting out the bottom surface portion. The flexible container according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a sagging suppression means configured to suppress sagging of the inner bag from the notch hole. The flexible container according to claim 3.

5. The sagging suppression means includes a cover member that covers a portion of the notch hole. The flexible container according to claim 4.

6. The outer bag and the inner bag are fixed to each other at least in a portion thereof. A flexible container according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The inner bag is filled with water-absorbent resin particles as the content. A flexible container according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A flexible container that contains contents and allows the contents to be removed by piercing a bag-breaking tool from the outside, an outer bag having a bottom portion; an inner bag that is accommodated in the outer bag and that is filled with the contents; Equipped with The outer bag has a label on an outer surface of the bottom portion, The marking portion indicates a position where the bag breaker is to be inserted, The sign portion is a notched hole formed by partially cutting out the bottom surface portion, The inner bag further includes a sagging suppression means configured to suppress sagging of the inner bag from the notch hole, the sagging suppression means includes a sheet-like member disposed between the bottom surface portion and the inner bag so as to cover at least a portion of the notch hole, The sheet-like member has an uneven surface with unevenness formed toward the inner bag. Flexible container.

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