Packaging container manufacturing method and manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus of a package container that make it easy to manufacture a package container with a flexible container body and a non-flexible bottom plate.SOLUTION: The manufacturing method manufactures a package container that includes: a flexible, cylindrical container body 1; and a bottom plate 2 that closes an opening of a first end 5a of the container body 1. The manufacturing method includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. In the first step, the bottom plate 2 is put into the container body 1. In the second step, gas is fed into the container body 1 from a second end 3a that is opposite to the first end 5a of the container body 1, and a feeding pressure of the gas is applied to the bottom plate 2, thereby positioning the bottom plate 2 at the first end 5a. In the third step, the opening of the first end 5a is closed by bonding an outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 2 to the container body 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a packaging container is a container that includes a flexible tubular member made of a soft film and a hard bottom plate member. The bottom plate member is fitted inside the tubular member and welded to the tubular member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-104448 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To manufacture the container, for example, the following method can be used. The cylindrical member is placed in an upside-down position with the bottom facing up, and the bottom plate member is inserted into the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is then placed in an upright position with the bottom facing down. The bottom plate member falls within the cylindrical member due to its own weight and is placed at the bottom of the cylindrical member. The bottom plate member is fixed to the cylindrical member by heat sealing or the like.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, even a slight deformation of the flexible cylindrical member may restrict the movement of the bottom plate member at the deformation point. Therefore, when the cylindrical member is turned from the upside-down position to the upright position, the bottom plate member may get caught inside the cylindrical member, making it impossible to place the bottom plate member on the bottom. Therefore, the above-mentioned manufacturing method may make it difficult to manufacture the container.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container that facilitates the manufacture of a packaging container having a flexible container body and a hard bottom plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a packaging container comprising a flexible cylindrical container body and a bottom plate closing an opening at a first end of the container body, the method including a first step of inserting the bottom plate into the container body, a second step of positioning the bottom plate at the first end by supplying gas into the container body from a second end opposite the first end of the container body and applying the gas supply pressure to the bottom plate, and a third step of closing the opening at the first end by joining the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate to the container body.

[0008] In the second step, it is preferable that a nozzle having an inlet hole is provided at the second end, and the gas is introduced into the container body through the inlet hole.

[0009] The bottom plate preferably has a shape that is symmetrical in the thickness direction.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging container manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container having a flexible cylindrical container body and a bottom plate closing an opening at a first end of the container body, the packaging container manufacturing apparatus comprising a base, a holder for holding the container body, and a nozzle having an inlet hole for supplying gas into the container body and installable at a second end of the container body opposite the first end, wherein the holder is switchable between a first form in which the container body is held in a position in which the first end is positioned lower than the second end, and a second form in which the container body is held in a position in which the first end is positioned higher than the second end. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container that facilitates the manufacture of a packaging container having a flexible container body and a non-flexible bottom plate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]1A is a cross-sectional view of an example of a packaging container produced by a method for producing a packaging container according to an embodiment, and FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a packaging container. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the bottom plate. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a front view of a packaging container manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a nozzle. [Figure 7] 1 is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing a packaging container according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a process diagram continuing from the previous figure. [Figure 9] This is a process diagram continuing from the previous figure. [Figure 10] This is a process diagram continuing from the previous figure. [Figure 11] This is a process diagram continuing from the previous figure. [Figure 12] This is a process diagram continuing from the previous figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Packaging container] Fig. 1(A) is a cross-sectional view of a packaging container 10, which is an example of a packaging container produced by a packaging container manufacturing method of an embodiment. Fig. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a container body 1. Fig. 1(B) is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 1(A). Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging container 10. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of a bottom plate 2. Fig. 3(B) is a perspective view of the bottom plate 2 as viewed from the opposite side to that in Fig. 3(A).

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the packaging container 10 comprises a container body 1 and a bottom plate 2. The container body 1 comprises a mouth portion 3, a shoulder portion 4, and a body portion 5. In explaining the packaging container 10, the positional relationship of the components will be explained with reference to Fig. 1(A). The positional relationship defined here does not limit the posture of the packaging container 10 during use.

[0015] The mouth portion 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A threaded portion 6 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 3. The upper end 3a of the mouth portion 3 is the second end of the container body 1. The opening at the upper end 3a of the mouth portion 3 is called an upper end opening (opening at the second end) 3b. A cap (not shown) having a threaded portion that screws into the threaded portion 6 can be attached to the mouth portion 3. The cap can close the upper end opening 3b.

[0016] The shoulder 4 descends from the lower end of the mouth 3 while expanding in diameter. The body 5 extends downward from the lower end of the shoulder 4. The body 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The lower end 5a of the body 5 is the first end of the container body 1. The opening at the lower end 5a of the body 5 is called a lower end opening (first end opening) 5b.

[0017] At least the body 5 of the container body 1 has flexibility. The body 5 is formed of, for example, a film. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the body 5 is formed of, for example, a laminated film including a sealant layer 1a, a barrier layer 1b, and a base layer 1c. The sealant layer 1a is the innermost layer of the container body 1. The barrier layer 1b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sealant layer 1a. The base layer 1c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the barrier layer 1b. In this embodiment, the base layer 1c is the outermost layer, but an outermost layer made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene may be provided on the outside of the base layer 1c.

[0018] The material constituting the sealant layer 1a is preferably a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). The barrier layer 1b includes a metal layer made of aluminum or the like. The barrier layer 1b may be an aluminum foil or an aluminum vapor deposition film. The material constituting the base layer 1c may be, for example, nylon (aliphatic polyamide).

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the container body 1 is self-supporting. The container body 1 is preferably self-supporting when filled with the contents. The container body 1 is, for example, formed as an integral unit. At least the body portion 5 of the container body 1 is flexible, so that when the packaging container 10 is disposed of, the volume can be reduced by folding the body portion 5, for example.

[0020] 2, the bottom plate 2 is a separate body from the container body 1. The bottom plate 2 closes the lower end opening (first end opening) 5b of the container body 1. The outer peripheral edge 2a of the bottom plate 2 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 by heat sealing or the like.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the bottom plate 2 includes a substrate 11 and a reinforcing rib 12. The substrate 11 is formed in a disk shape. One surface of the substrate 11 is referred to as a first surface 11a. The other surface of the substrate 11 is referred to as a second surface 11b. In Figure 1(A), the first surface 11a is the upper surface of the substrate 11. The second surface 11b is the lower surface of the substrate 11.

[0022] The reinforcing rib 12 includes a plurality of main ribs 13 and a peripheral rib 14. The plurality of main ribs 13 extend radially outward from the center of the substrate 11. The main ribs 13 protrude from both sides of the substrate 11. That is, the main ribs 13 include a first rib 13a and a second rib 13b. In FIG. 1(A), the first rib 13a protrudes upward from the first surface 11a of the substrate 11. The second rib 13b protrudes downward from the second surface 11b of the substrate 11. The cross-sectional shape (shape of a cross section perpendicular to the length direction) of the first rib 13a and the second rib 13b is, for example, rectangular.

[0023] The first rib 13a and the second rib 13b have the same shape. The protruding height of the first rib 13a from the first surface 11a is equal to the protruding height of the second rib 13b from the second surface 11b. The first ribs 13a are positioned to be n-fold rotationally symmetric (n is an integer of 2 or more) with respect to the center of the first surface 11a. The second rib 13b has the same shape as the first rib 13a. In this embodiment, the number of the first ribs 13a and the number of the second ribs 13b are each six. The six first ribs 13a are positioned to be six-fold rotationally symmetric. The six second ribs 13b are positioned to be six-fold rotationally symmetric.

[0024] The peripheral rib 14 is formed along the periphery of the substrate 11. The peripheral rib 14 is circular around the entire circumference of the substrate 11. The peripheral rib 14 protrudes from both sides of the substrate 11. That is, the peripheral rib 14 includes a first rib 14a and a second rib 14b. In FIG. 1(A), the first rib 14a protrudes upward from the first surface 11a of the substrate 11. The second rib 14b protrudes downward from the second surface 11b of the substrate 11. The cross-sectional shapes (shapes of cross sections perpendicular to the length direction) of the first rib 14a and the second rib 14b are, for example, rectangular. The first rib 14a and the second rib 14b have the same shape. The protruding height of the first rib 14a from the first surface 11a is equal to the protruding height of the second rib 14b from the second surface 11b.

[0025] The first rib 13a and the second rib 13b have the same shape. The first rib 14a and the second rib 14b have the same shape. Therefore, the bottom plate 2 has a symmetric shape in the thickness direction.

[0026] The bottom plate 2 is non-flexible. The bottom plate 2 is formed of, for example, a hard resin. Examples of materials constituting the bottom plate 2 include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The bottom plate 2 can be produced by, for example, injection molding.

[0027] [Manufacturing equipment] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 20. Fig. 5 is a front view of the manufacturing apparatus 20. Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view of the nozzle 23. Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view of the nozzle 23. Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view of the nozzle 23 seen from the opposite side to that of Fig. 6(A).

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a base 21, a holder 22, and a nozzle 23 (see Figure 9). In explaining manufacturing apparatus 20, the positional relationship of the components will be explained based on the form shown by solid lines in Figure 5. The extension direction of back plate 26 relative to base 25 is upward. The front direction of the paper in Figure 5 is the forward direction. The positional relationship defined here does not limit the posture of manufacturing apparatus 20 during use.

[0029] The base 21 includes a base 25, a back plate 26, and a connecting mechanism 27. The base 25 is formed in a long plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the base 25 is curved and convex (e.g., semicircular). The back plate 26 extends upward from the upper surface of the rear end portion of the base 25. The back plate 26 is oriented with its thickness direction facing the front-rear direction.

[0030] The holder 22 includes a bottom plate 31, a main plate 32, and an upper plate 33. The main plate 32 is rectangular (more specifically, oblong). In the form shown by the solid lines in Fig. 5, the main plate 32 is located in front of the back plate 26. The main plate 32 is parallel to the back plate 26. The bottom plate 31 is provided at one end of the main plate 32. The bottom plate 31 is perpendicular to the main plate 32 and protrudes forward. The front part of the bottom plate 31 is curved and convex (e.g., semicircular). In the form shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the bottom plate 31 is located above the base 25.

[0031] The upper plate 33 is provided at the other end of the main plate 32. The upper plate 33 is perpendicular to the main plate 32 and protrudes forward. A holding recess 34 is formed at the front end of the upper plate 33. The holding recess 34 is formed in a concave shape from the front end of the upper plate 33 toward the rear. The width of the holding recess 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the mouth 3 of the packaging container 10 and smaller than the outer diameter of the body 5. The mouth 3 of the packaging container 10 is inserted into the holding recess 34. The holder 22 can hold the packaging container 10 (see FIG. 8).

[0032] The connecting mechanism 27 rotatably connects the holder 22 to the back plate 26. The connecting mechanism 27 includes a fixed part 28 and a rotating shaft part 29. The fixed part 28 is fixed to the center of the length direction of the back surface of the main plate 32. As shown in Fig. 5, the rotating shaft part 29 supports the holder 22 so as to be rotatable around a central axis along the front-rear direction.

[0033] The holder 22 can be switched between, for example, a first form P1 shown by a solid line in Fig. 5 and a second form P2 shown by a virtual line. The container body 1 held by the holder 22 in the first form P1 is in a position in which the lower end 5a is located lower than the upper end 3a (see Fig. 8). The container body 1 held by the holder 22 in the first form P1 is in an upright position in which the mouth 3 faces upward, for example. The container body 1 held by the holder 22 in the second form P2 is in a position in which the lower end 5a is located higher than the upper end 3a.

[0034] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the nozzle 23 includes a main portion 23a and a reduced diameter portion 23b. The main portion 23a is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the main portion 23a is larger than the inner diameter of the upper end 3a of the mouth portion 3 of the packaging container 10. The reduced diameter portion 23b protrudes from one end of the main portion 23a. The reduced diameter portion 23b is shaped like a truncated cone. The reduced diameter portion 23b is tapered such that the outer diameter gradually decreases in the protruding direction from the main portion 23a.

[0035] An introduction hole 35 is formed along the central axis of the nozzle 23. The introduction hole 35 penetrates the nozzle 23. The introduction hole 35 allows gas to flow therethrough. A plurality of ventilation grooves 36 are formed in a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle 23. The ventilation grooves 36 are formed from the outer circumferential surface of the main portion 23a to the outer circumferential surface of the reduced diameter portion 23b. The plurality of ventilation grooves 36 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the nozzle 23.

[0036] [Manufacturing method of packaging containers] An example of a method for producing the packaging container 10 shown in Fig. 1(A) will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 13. This production method includes the following first to third steps.

[0037] (1st step) As shown in Fig. 7, the container body 1 is placed in an upside-down position. In the upside-down position, the lower end 5a of the container body 1 is positioned higher than the upper end 3a. The bottom plate 2 is inserted into the container body 1 through the lower end opening 5b. The bottom plate 2 falls into the container body 1.

[0038] (2nd process) The container body 1 is held by the holder 22. When the container body 1 is held by the holder 22, the holder 22 may be in the first form P1 or the second form P2 (see FIG. 5). 8, the holder 22 is rotated by the connecting mechanism 27 as necessary. The holder 22 is put into the first form P1. The container body 1 is put into an upright position.

[0039] The container body 1 is flexible and therefore easily deformed. When the container body 1 is deformed, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 becomes non-circular at the deformed portion, and the movement of the bottom plate 2 may be restricted. In addition, depending on the sliding characteristics of the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1, the movement of the bottom plate 2 may be restricted by friction between the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 and the bottom plate 2. Although it is preferable that the bottom plate 2 falls to the lower end 5a within the container body 1 due to its own weight, it may be restricted in movement by the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 and not fall to the lower end 5a. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2 remains in the center of the axial direction of the trunk portion 5.

[0040] 9, nozzle 23 is installed at upper end 3a of mouth 3. A part of reduced diameter portion 23b of nozzle 23 is inserted into upper end opening 3b of mouth 3.

[0041] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, air is sent to the container body 1 through the inlet hole 35 using an air supply pipe 37 connected to the nozzle 23. The air passes through the upper end opening 3b and is sent into the container body 1. The gas is, for example, air. The air sent from above into the container body 1 applies a downward supply pressure to the bottom plate 2. The bottom plate 2 falls and is placed at the lower end 5a of the container body 1. The air supply pressure causes the bottom plate 2 to assume a position perpendicular to the central axis of the container body 1.

[0042] 9, when the internal pressure of the container body 1 increases due to the air fed into the container body 1, a part of the air inserted into the container body 1 is released to the outside through the ventilation groove 36. Therefore, the increase in the internal pressure of the container body 1 is suppressed.

[0043] (3rd step) Fig. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a packaging container 10 and a heat-sealing device 100. As shown in Fig. 12, the heat-sealing device 100 includes a heater 101 that heats the container body 1 from the outer periphery. The heater 101 heats the entire lower end of the container body 1. The outer periphery 2a of the bottom plate 2 is joined to the inner periphery of the container body 1 by heat sealing over the entire periphery. The bottom opening 5b of the container body 1 is closed by the bottom plate 2. In this way, the packaging container 10 shown in Fig. 1(A) is obtained.

[0044] [Effects of the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment] 11, in the second step of the manufacturing method, air is fed into the container body 1 from the upper end 3a to apply a feeding pressure to the bottom plate 2. Therefore, even if the bottom plate 2 remains at a high position in the container body 1, the bottom plate 2 can be positioned at the lower end 5a of the container body 1 by the feeding pressure of the air. Therefore, in the third step, the bottom plate 2 can be joined to the container body 1 at an accurate position. This makes it easy to manufacture the packaging container 10.

[0045] In the second step, a nozzle 23 is provided at the upper end 3a, and air is fed into the container body 1 through the feed hole 35 of the nozzle 23. This makes it possible to reliably and easily feed air into the container body 1. This makes it easy to manufacture the packaging container 10.

[0046] The bottom plate 2 has a shape that is symmetrical in the thickness direction. Therefore, the bottom plate 2 may be oriented such that the first surface 11a faces upward (see FIG. 1(A)), or the first surface 11a faces downward. Since there is no restriction on the orientation of the bottom plate 2, a process for adjusting the orientation of the bottom plate 2 is not required. Since the number of manufacturing processes can be reduced, the manufacturing of the packaging container 10 becomes easier.

[0047] The manufacturing apparatus 20 shown in Fig. 8 includes a holder 22 and a nozzle 23 (see Fig. 9), and therefore the container body 1 can be held by the holder 22, and the nozzle 23 can be used to feed air into the container body 1 from the upper end 3a to apply a feeding pressure to the bottom plate 2. Therefore, even if the bottom plate 2 remains at a high position inside the container body 1, the bottom plate 2 can be positioned at the lower end 5a of the container body 1 by the feeding pressure of the air. Therefore, the bottom plate 2 can be joined to the container body 1 at an accurate position. This makes it easy to manufacture the packaging container 10.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the body 5 of the packaging container 10 shown in Fig. 1(A) is cylindrical, but the shape of the container body is not particularly limited. The container body may be a rectangular tube such as a triangular tube, a square tube, or a pentagonal tube. In the packaging container 10 shown in Fig. 1(A), the bottom plate 2 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1, but the joining structure between the bottom plate and the container body is not particularly limited.

[0049] In the third step of the manufacturing method, the bottom plate 2 and the container body 1 are joined by heat sealing (thermal welding), but the method for joining the bottom plate and the container body is not particularly limited. The bottom plate and the container body may be welded by ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, etc. The bottom plate and the container body may be joined by an adhesive.

[0050] The nature of the contents contained in the packaging container is not particularly limited. The contents may be, for example, liquid, solid, powder, granules, or a mixture of two or more of these. The types of contents are not particularly limited, and include beverages, food products, seasonings, cosmetics, medicines, detergents, adhesives, household goods, industrial products, etc. A display may be formed on the container body by printing or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1... Container body, 2... Bottom plate, 2a... Outer periphery, 3a... Upper end (second end), 3b... Upper end opening (second end opening), 5a... Lower end (first end), 5b... Lower end opening (second end). opening at one end), 10...packaging container, 20...manufacturing device, 21...substrate, 22...holder, 23...nozzle, 35...feeding hole, P1...first form, P2...second form.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a packaging container comprising: a flexible cylindrical container body; and a bottom plate that closes an opening at a first end of the container body, the method comprising the steps of: a first step of inserting the bottom plate into the container body in an upside-down position with the first end facing up, and allowing the bottom plate to fall into the container body by its own weight; a second step of supplying gas into the container body from a second end opposite to the first end of the container body in an upright position with the first end downward, and applying a supply pressure of the gas to the bottom plate to drop the bottom plate and place the bottom plate at the first end; a third step of closing the opening at the first end by joining an outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate to the container body; A method for manufacturing a packaging container having the above structure.

2. 2. The method for producing a packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, a nozzle having an inlet hole is provided at the second end, and the gas is introduced into the container body through the inlet hole.

3. The method for manufacturing a packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom plate has a shape that is symmetrical in a thickness direction.

4. A packaging container manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container having a flexible cylindrical container body and a bottom plate that closes an opening at a first end of the container body, comprising: A substrate; A holder for holding the container body; a nozzle having an inlet for injecting a gas into the container body and capable of being installed at a second end of the container body opposite to the first end; The holder includes: a first mode in which the container body is held in a position in which the first end is positioned lower than the second end; a second mode in which the container body is held in a position in which the first end is positioned higher than the second end; It is possible to switch between In the first embodiment, the gas is introduced into the container body from the second end of the container body, which is in an upright position with the first end downward, and a gas introduction pressure is applied to the bottom plate, thereby dropping the bottom plate and arranging the bottom plate at the first end; In the second form, the packaging container manufacturing apparatus holds the container body in the holder in an upside-down position with the first end facing up, with the bottom plate inserted into the container body and falling into the container body due to its own weight.

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