Spouts and pouches with spouts

Abstract

To provide a spout capable of more appropriately welding to a pouch container, a pouch container with the spout, and a manufacturing method of the spout.SOLUTION: A pouch includes: a cylindrical first part 1 having an axial center N extending in a z direction and having a pouring-out port 10; a second part 2 having the axial center N extending in the z direction and communicating with the first part 1; and a third part 3 having an inflow port 30 communicating with the second part 2 and located on the opposite side of the pouring-out port 10 in the z direction. A dimension of the inflow port 30 is smaller than a dimension of the second part 2 in which the second part 2 is welded to a pouch container, and in any direction perpendicular to the z direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout. and Pouch with spout In a vessel Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Pouch containers with spouts are widely used, for example, as refill containers for beverages such as sports drinks, foods such as ice cream and jelly, and various toiletry products. The spout is used when filling the pouch container with contents or when pouring out the contents. The spout disclosed in the document has a cylindrical first part and a second part that communicates with the first part. The second part is welded to a part of the pouch container, thereby fixing the spout to the pouch container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-76696 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The second part of the spout disclosed in the document has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis and is open wide downward, which causes a problem that the second part is deformed when welding the pouch container to the second part, making it difficult to perform the welding properly.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a spout that can be more appropriately welded to a pouch container, a pouch container with a spout, and a method for manufacturing a spout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A spout provided by a first aspect of the present invention comprises a cylindrical first part having an axis extending in a first direction and having a pouring outlet, a second part having an axis extending in the first direction and communicating with the first part, and a third part having an inlet communicating with the second part and located on the opposite side to the pouring outlet in the first direction, wherein the second part is welded to a pouch container, and the dimensions of the inlet are smaller than the dimensions of the second part in any direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third portion includes a cylindrical portion having the inlet, and a connecting portion interposed between the cylindrical portion and the second portion.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third portion includes a convex portion provided inside the connecting portion, and the convex portion protrudes from an end of the connecting portion on the inlet side in the first direction toward the first portion.

[0009] A spouted pouch container provided according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the spout provided according to the first aspect of the present invention and the pouch container welded to the second part.

[0010] A method for manufacturing a spout provided by a third aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a mold having a cavity including a first chamber having an axis extending in a first direction and having a first opening, a second chamber having an axis extending in the first direction and communicating with the first chamber, and a third chamber having a second opening communicating with the second chamber and located on the opposite side of the first opening in the first direction; arranging a tube-type resin material in the cavity so as to extend from each of the first opening and the second opening; sealing the tube-type resin material from the first opening side with a first sealing body; sealing the tube-type resin material from the second opening side with a second sealing body; and blowing gas into the tube-type resin material from at least one of the first opening side and the second opening side, wherein a dimension of the second opening is smaller than a dimension of the second chamber in any direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the step of sealing with the first sealing body, the first sealing body is inserted into the tube-shaped resin material and the first sealing body is pressed against the die, thereby cutting the tube-shaped resin material, and in the step of sealing with the second sealing body, the second sealing body is inserted into the tube-shaped resin material and the second sealing body is pressed against the die, thereby cutting the tube-shaped resin material. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the spout and the pouch container can be more appropriately welded together.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are views showing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a bottom view. [Figure 4] 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3A and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spout-equipped pouch container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a spout-equipped pouch container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of a method for manufacturing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a step of a manufacturing method for a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of a method for manufacturing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of a method for manufacturing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of a method for manufacturing a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the spout according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a spout according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a spout according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing an example of a method for manufacturing a spout according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like in this disclosure are merely used to distinguish components and are not necessarily intended to impose an order on their objects.

[0017] First Embodiment 1 to 7 show a spout according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The spout A1 of this embodiment comprises a first section 1, a second section 2, a third section 3 and a fourth section 4. The spout A1 is attached to a pouch container 8 when in use, for example, as shown in Figs. 8 to 10, and is a component of a spout-equipped pouch container B1. In these figures, the z direction corresponds to the first direction of the present invention. The x direction and the y direction are both perpendicular to the z direction and are mutually perpendicular.

[0018] The material of the spout A1 is not particularly limited, and for example, a resin is used in consideration of the convenience of molding and the fact that it is unlikely to contaminate the contents 89. When the spout A1 is made of a resin, the spout A1 may be formed of a single resin or may be configured by combining multiple types of resin. In this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part in FIG. 4, the spout A1 has a structure in which multiple types of resin are laminated over the entire spout A1, and has an outer layer 101, an inner layer 102, a barrier layer 103, a bonding layer 104, and a bonding layer 105.

[0019] The outer layer 101 is the layer located on the outermost side of the spout A1. The outer layer 101 is made of a resin material that can be heat-sealed to the pouch container 8. Specific examples of the resin that constitutes the outer layer 101 include HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene).

[0020] The inner layer 102 is the layer located on the innermost side of the spout A1. For example, when the contents 89 are beverages, the inner layer 102 is appropriately selected from a material that does not easily dissolve in the contents 89, a material that is unlikely to deteriorate the contents 89, and the like. Specific examples of the resin that constitutes the inner layer 102 include HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), and the like.

[0021] The barrier layer 103 is made of a resin material that has a lower permeability to gases such as oxygen and has a higher blocking function than the outer layer 101 and the inner layer 102. In this embodiment, the barrier layer 103 is located between the outer layer 101 and the inner layer 102. Examples of the resin material constituting the barrier layer 103 include polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the like.

[0022] The bonding layer 104 is a layer that bonds the outer layer 101 and the barrier layer 103. Specific examples of the resin that constitutes the bonding layer 104 include modified polyolefin (Admer (registered trademark) by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., and Modic (registered trademark) by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).

[0023] The bonding layer 105 is a layer that bonds the inner layer 102 and the barrier layer 103. Specific examples of the resin that constitutes the bonding layer 105 include the modified polyolefins listed for the bonding layer 104.

[0024] There is no limitation on the thickness of each of the outer layer 101, the inner layer 102, the barrier layer 103, the bonding layer 104 and the bonding layer 105.

[0025] [Part 1 1] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the first part 1 is a tubular part having an axis N extending in the z direction as a whole. Here, the tubular shape includes a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a square cylindrical shape, and the like. In this embodiment, the first part 1 is cylindrical. The first part 1 has a spout 10, a main body 11, a male threaded part 12, and an annular protrusion 13. In each figure, the axis N is shown by a dashed line or a point for convenience of explanation, but it is merely a virtual line or point.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the main body 11 is a part having the above-mentioned cylindrical shape. The spout outlet 10 is located at the end of the first part 1 (main body 11) in the z direction and opens to one side in the z direction. The spout outlet 10 is used to pour out the contents 89 to the outside in the spouted pouch container B1. For example, the spout outlet 10 is used as a filling port for filling the contents 89 into the spouted pouch container B1. However, filling the contents 89 into the spouted pouch container B1 is not limited to using the spout outlet 10, and for example, an unsealed part of the pouch container 8 may be used as a filling port. The shape of the spout outlet 10 is not limited at all, and is circular in this embodiment because the main body 11 is cylindrical. The illustrated main body 11 is cylindrical with a constant inner diameter, but may be tapered with an inner diameter that is not constant in the z direction.

[0027] The male thread portion 12 is a portion for attaching the cap 7 described later to the first part 1 by screwing. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the male thread portion 12 is a helical protrusion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 11. The annular protrusion 13 is a circular protrusion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 11, and is located on the opposite side of the spout 10 from the male thread portion 12 in the z direction. When the spout A1 is manufactured by a manufacturing method using blow molding described later, the male thread portion 12 and the annular protrusion 13 do not differ greatly in thickness from adjacent portions, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the male thread portion 12 and the annular protrusion 13 have a shape in which the inside is recessed toward the outside. However, depending on the thickness of the main body portion 11 and the protruding size of the male thread portion 12 and the annular protrusion 13, the inside of the male thread portion 12 and the annular protrusion 13 may not have a clearly recessed shape.

[0028] [Part 2 2] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the second part 2 has an axis N and is a part that communicates with the first part 1. As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the second part 2 is heat-sealed to the pouch container 8 in the spouted pouch container B1. Specifically, the outer surface of the second part 2 is heat-sealed to the inner surface of the pouch container 8. The shape of the second part 2 is not limited in any way as long as it has a shape that can be heat-sealed to the pouch container 8. From the viewpoint of more appropriately heat-sealing the pouch container 8, it is preferable that the second part 2 has a substantially constant shape in the z direction. The second part 2 of this embodiment has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along the xy plane.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the second part 2 of this embodiment has a pair of curved surface portions 21. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the pair of curved surface portions 21 are arranged opposite each other in the y direction. The curved surface portions 21 have a shape that gradually bulges outward in the y direction, and form a gently curved surface when viewed in the z direction. Since the second part 2 has the pair of curved surface portions 21, the second part 2 has a shape in which the dimension in the y direction when viewed in the z direction is maximum at the center in the x direction and becomes smaller toward both ends in the x direction.

[0030] Further, the second part 2 has a plurality of grooves 22. Each of the plurality of grooves 22 is slightly recessed inward from the outer surface of the second part 2, and is disposed apart from each other in the z direction. Each groove 22 is perpendicular to the z direction and is annularly shaped surrounding the axis N. In the illustrated example, the plurality of grooves 22 are disposed biased toward the upper side of the second part 2 in the z direction (the side where the first part 1 is located). The plurality of grooves 22 has a depth of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The plurality of grooves 22 suppresses the occurrence of air pockets when the second part 2 is thermally welded to the pouch container 8. The plurality of grooves 22 may be formed by a shape recessed inward from the outer surface of the second part, or may be formed by a plurality of rows of convex portions protruding outward from the outer surface of the second part 2.

[0031] [Part 3 3] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the third section 3 communicates with the second section 2 and is located on the opposite side of the first section 1 in the z direction across the second section 2. The third section 3 is connected to the second section 2. The third section 3 has an inlet 30. The inlet 30 is located at the end of the third section 3 in the z direction and opens to the other side in the z direction opposite the spout 10. The shape of the inlet 30 is not limited, and is circular in this embodiment. The inlet 30 is located in the pouch container 8 in the spout-equipped pouch container B1, and is a portion through which the contents 89 flow into the spout A1 when the contents 89 are poured out from the spout 10 to the outside.

[0032] The third part 3 in this embodiment has a cylindrical part 31 and a connecting part 32. The cylindrical part 31 is a cylindrical part having an axis N, and has an inlet 30. In this embodiment, the cylindrical part 31 is a part in which the shape and size of a cross section perpendicular to the z direction are constant, and like the spout 10, the shape of the cylindrical part 31 includes a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a square cylindrical shape, and the like. In the illustrated example, the cylindrical part 31 is a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter. In addition, the shape of the inlet 30 is not limited in any way, and since the cylindrical part 31 is cylindrical in this embodiment, it is a circle.

[0033] The connecting portion 32 is a portion interposed between the cylindrical portion 31 and the second portion 2, and is connected to both the cylindrical portion 31 and the second portion 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 32 along the zx plane is a tapered shape in which the dimension in the x direction decreases from the second portion 2 side toward the cylindrical portion 31 side in the z direction. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 32 along the yz plane is such that the x direction dimension of the portion located on the second portion 2 side in the z direction is approximately constant, and the x direction dimension of the portion located on the cylindrical portion 31 side in the z direction decreases toward the cylindrical portion 31.

[0034] The specific shape of the third part 3 is not limited in any way, and the tubular portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 may have a shape different from the above-mentioned shapes, or the respective parts of the tubular portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 may have a shape that is not specified.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(d), FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the third part 3 of this embodiment has a convex part 33. The convex part 33 is provided inside the connecting part 32. The convex part 33 protrudes from the end part of the connecting part 32 on the inlet 30 side in the z direction toward the first part 1. In other words, the convex part 33 and the lower part of the connecting part 32 in the z direction form a circular groove part. In this embodiment, the convex part 33 is located at the boundary part between the cylindrical part 31 and the connecting part 32. It can also be said that the convex part 33 protrudes from the end part of the cylindrical part 31 on the opposite side to the inlet 30 in the z direction toward the first part 1. The cross-sectional shape of the convex part 33 is not limited in any way, and may be a polygonal shape in addition to the circular shape shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the convex part 33 has a circular shape surrounding the axis N as shown in FIG. 7, and is formed over the entire circumference, but is not limited thereto. 3(d), the protrusion 33 may be formed only in a part of the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the protrusion 33 has a shape that forms a cylindrical portion together with the cylindrical portion 31. Moreover, the inner surface of the protrusion 33 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 31 are smoothly connected to each other.

[0036] Here, the dimensional relationship between the inlet 30 and the second part 2 will be described. In any direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension of the inlet 30 is smaller than the dimension of the second part 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, in the x direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension Dx3 of the inlet 30 is smaller than the dimension Dx2 of the second part 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, in the y direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension Dy3 of the inlet 30 is smaller than the dimension Dy2 of the second part 2. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 7, in any direction perpendicular to the z direction other than the x direction and the y direction, the dimension of the inlet 30 is smaller than the dimension of the second part 2. Here, the inner dimensions (inner diameters) of the inlet 30 and the second part 2 are adopted as the dimensions of the inlet 30 and the second part 2, but the dimensions that can show the size relationship between them may be appropriately used as the dimensions of the respective parts. For example, the outer dimensions (outer diameters) of the inlet 30 and the second portion 2 may be compared, or the distance between the centers of their wall thicknesses may be used as the dimension. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the cylindrical portion 31 are smaller than the dimensions of the second portion 2. In addition, the inner and outer dimensions of the cylindrical portion 31 are smaller than the inner and outer dimensions of the second portion 2, respectively, in any direction perpendicular to the z direction.

[0037] Since the dimensional relationship between the inlet 30 and the second part 2 is as described above, the shape of the third part 3 having the inlet 30 and connected to the second part 2 is a shape in which the size of the cross section perpendicular to the z direction decreases as it moves from the second part 2 toward the inlet 30. However, the cross section of the third part 3 perpendicular to the z direction is not limited to a configuration in which the size of the cross section monotonically decreases in the z direction toward the inlet 30. For example, the third part 3 may be configured to have a portion whose cross section increases in size as it moves toward the inlet 30 in the z direction.

[0038] The dimensional relationship between the spout 10 and the second part 2 will be described. In this embodiment, the dimension of the spout 10 is smaller than the dimension of the second part 2 in any direction perpendicular to the z direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in the x direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension Dx1 of the spout 10 is smaller than the dimension Dx2 of the second part 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the y direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension Dy1 of the spout 10 is smaller than the dimension Dy2 of the second part 2. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 6, in any direction perpendicular to the z direction other than the x direction and the y direction, the dimension of the spout 10 is smaller than the dimension of the second part 2. Here, the inner dimensions (inner diameters) of the spout 10 and the second part 2 are used as the dimensions of the spout 10 and the second part 2, but the dimensions that can indicate the relative size of each other may be used as appropriate. For example, the outer dimensions (outer diameters) of the spout 10 and the second part 2 may be compared, or the distance between the centers of their respective wall thicknesses may be used as the dimension. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the first part 1 (main body part 11) are smaller than the dimensions of the second part 2 in all directions perpendicular to the z direction.

[0039] [Part 4 4] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the fourth part 4 is interposed between the first part 1 and the second part 2, and is connected to both the first part 1 and the second part 2. The fourth part 4 is a plate-shaped part perpendicular to the z direction as a whole. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the outer dimensions of the fourth part 4 are the same as or larger than the outer dimensions of the second part 2. That is, the outer dimensions of the fourth part 4 in the x direction and the y direction are the same as the outer dimensions of the second part 2 in the x direction and the y direction, and the outer dimensions of the fourth part 4 in directions other than the x direction and the y direction are larger than the outer dimensions of the second part 2 in the other than the x direction and the y direction.

[0040] The size of each part of the spout A1 is not limited in any way as long as it satisfies the above-mentioned dimensional relationship. As an example of the size of each part of the spout A1, the dimensions Dx1 and Dy1 are about 6 to 10 mm, the dimensions Dx3 and Dy3 are about 6 to 10 mm, the dimension Dx2 is about 16 to 25 mm, and the dimension Dy2 is about 10 to 15 mm. The dimension of the spout A1 in the z direction is about 35 to 50 mm. The dimension Dx1 of the spout 10 is approximately the same as the dimension Dx3 of the inlet 30, and the dimension Dy1 of the spout 10 is approximately the same as the dimension Dy3 of the inlet 30.

[0041] <Spout-equipped pouch container B1> As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the spouted pouch container B1 includes a spout A1 and a pouch container 8. The pouch container 8 is welded to the second part 2 of the spout A1.

[0042] [Pouch container 8] The pouch container 8 has a pair of main surface portions 81, a top seal portion 82, a pair of side seal portions 83, and a bottom seal portion 84. The pouch container 8 also defines a storage space 88. The storage space 88 stores contents 89, such as a beverage such as a sports drink, or food such as ice cream or jelly.

[0043] The pair of main surface portions 81 face each other in the y direction. The shape of the main surface portion 81 is not limited, and may be, for example, substantially rectangular when viewed in the y direction. The top seal portion 82 includes a portion where the upper portions of the pair of main surface portions 81 in the z direction are heat-sealed to each other. The top seal portion 82 also includes a portion where the pair of main surface portions 81 and the pair of curved surface portions 21 of the second part 2 are heat-sealed to each other. The pair of side seal portions 83 are portions where both end portions of the pair of main surface portions 81 in the x direction are heat-sealed to each other. The bottom seal portion 84 is a portion where the lower portions of the pair of main surface portions 81 in the z direction are heat-sealed to a bottom surface portion (not shown) made of a resin film. The specific configuration of the pouch container 8 is not limited to the configuration described above. The pouch container 8 can appropriately adopt various configurations that can form a spout-equipped pouch container B1 by heat-sealing the second part 2.

[0044] The main surface portion 81 is usually made of a resin film. The resin film is required to have basic properties as a package, such as impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance. In addition, since each of the above-mentioned seal portions is usually formed by heat welding, the sheet is also required to have heat welding properties. As the sheet, a multilayer sheet having a base film layer and a sealant layer that imparts heat welding properties is suitable, and when high gas barrier properties and light blocking properties are required, it is suitable to provide a barrier layer between the base film layer and the sealant layer. Note that the base film layer itself may be given barrier properties. In this case, the barrier layer is used as the base film layer, and the multilayer sheet has a barrier layer and a sealant layer.

[0045] Here, examples of the constituent materials of the base film layer, the sealant layer, and the gas barrier layer are shown below. The lamination of these layers can be performed by a conventional lamination method, such as coextrusion lamination, dry lamination using an adhesive, or thermal lamination in which a thermal adhesive layer is sandwiched between the layers and bonded by heat.

[0046] Examples of films constituting the base film layer include single-layer or two or more layer stretched or unstretched films made of polyester (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), etc.), polyolefin (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.), polyamide (nylon-6, nylon-66, etc.), etc., with biaxially stretched films being preferred.

[0047] Examples of the sealant layer include one or more layers of stretched or unstretched films or extruded resin layers composed of low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), ethylene-propylene copolymer (EP), unstretched polypropylene (CPP), ethylene-olefin copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), etc., with a substantially unstretched film being preferred.

[0048] Examples of the gas barrier layer include a metal foil such as aluminum, a resin film such as polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), or a film in which aluminum, aluminum oxide, silica or other inorganic oxides are vapor-deposited (or sputtered) onto any synthetic resin film (which may be, for example, a base film layer).

[0049] A printing layer (not shown) for displaying product names, ingredients, usage precautions, and other product descriptions of the contents, as well as various other designs, etc., can be provided on the main surface portion 81. For example, the printing layer can be formed on the outer or inner surface of the base film layer by a known method such as gravure printing or flexographic printing.

[0050] [Cap 7] The cap 7 is for sealing the spout 10 of the spout A1 by screwing into the male screw portion 12 of the first part 1 of the spout A1. The cap 7 of this embodiment is detachable from the spout A1. Therefore, after a part of the contents 89 is poured out from the spout-equipped pouch container B1, the spout 10 of the spout A1 can be resealed by the cap 7. The cap 7 is not limited to a configuration that allows the spout A1 to be resealed. For example, the cap 7 may be configured to be integrally formed with the spout A1. In this case, the cap 7 is removed by an operation such as bending the cap 7 against the main body part 11. This opens the spout A1. Even in an unopened state, the spout A1 has the spout 10 sealed by the cap 7.

[0051] <Manufacturing method of spout A1> Next, a manufacturing method of the spout A1 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. The manufacturing method of this embodiment is a method of manufacturing the spout A1 by blow molding. However, various methods can be used to manufacture the spout A1 as long as they are capable of forming the spout A1 having the above-mentioned configuration.

[0052] First, a mold 9 is prepared as shown in Fig. 11. The mold 9 is a mold divided into two parts, a left part and a right part, and has a cavity 90. The cavity 90 has a first chamber 91, a second chamber 92, a third chamber 93, a first introduction portion 94, and a second introduction portion 95.

[0053] The first chamber 91 has an axis N extending in the z direction, and is a region for molding the first part 1 of the spout A1. The first chamber 91 has a first opening 910. The first opening 910 is an open end on one side (upper side in the figure) of the first chamber 91 in the z direction. The shape of the first chamber 91 is not limited in any way, and may be any shape that allows a tube-type resin material C described later to be inserted in the z direction. In this embodiment, the first chamber 91 is cylindrical. The first chamber 91 also has a groove 911 and a groove 912. The groove 911 is a spiral groove, and is a region for molding the male thread part 12 of the first part 1 of the spout A1. The groove 912 is an annular groove surrounding the axis N, and is a region for molding the annular protrusion 13 of the first part 1 of the spout A1.

[0054] The second chamber 92 has an axis N and communicates with the first chamber 91. The second chamber 92 is a region for molding the second part 2 and the fourth part 4 of the spout A1. The shape of the second chamber 92 is not limited in any way as long as it is a shape that allows a tube-shaped resin material C described below to be inserted in the z direction. The second chamber 92 has a plurality of protrusions 921. The plurality of protrusions 921 each protrude inward in a direction perpendicular to the z direction and are spaced apart from each other in the z direction. The plurality of protrusions 921 are a region for molding the plurality of grooves 22 of the second part 2 of the spout A1.

[0055] The third chamber 93 is connected to the second chamber 92 and is a region for molding the third portion 3 of the spout A1. The shape of the third chamber 93 is not limited in any way as long as it is a shape that allows a tube-shaped resin material C described later to be inserted in the z direction. The third chamber 93 in this embodiment has a cylindrical portion 931 and a tapered portion 932. The cylindrical portion 931 has a cylindrical shape having an axis N and is a region for molding the tubular portion 31 of the spout A1. The tapered portion 932 is connected to the cylindrical portion 931 and the second chamber 92 and is a region for molding the connecting portion 32 of the spout A1. The third chamber 93 has a second opening 930. The second opening 930 is located on the opposite side to the first opening 910 in the z direction and is an opening end on the other side (lower side in the figure) of the third chamber 93 in the z direction.

[0056] In any direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension of the second opening 930 is smaller than the dimension of the second chamber 92. The dimensional relationship between the second opening 930 and the second chamber 92 is similar to the dimensional relationship between the inlet 30 and the second section 2 in the spout A1 described above. Moreover, in any direction perpendicular to the z direction, the dimension of the first opening 910 is smaller than the dimension of the second chamber 92. The dimensional relationship between the first opening 910 and the second chamber 92 is similar to the dimensional relationship between the pouring outlet 10 and the second section 2 in the spout A1 described above.

[0057] The first introduction part 94 communicates with the first chamber 91, and is located on the opposite side of the first chamber 91 from the second chamber 92 in the z direction. The first introduction part 94 has a tapered shape in which the size in a plane perpendicular to the z direction increases as it moves away from the first chamber 91 in the z direction. In this embodiment, the first opening 910 corresponds to the boundary between the first chamber 91 and the first introduction part 94.

[0058] The second introduction part 95 communicates with the third chamber 93, and is located on the opposite side of the third chamber 93 from the second chamber 92 in the z direction. The second introduction part 95 has a tapered shape in which the size in a plane perpendicular to the z direction increases as it moves away from the third chamber 93 in the z direction. In this embodiment, the second opening 930 corresponds to the boundary between the third chamber 93 and the second introduction part 95.

[0059] Next, as shown in FIG. 12, a tube-shaped resin material C is prepared. The tube-shaped resin material C is a resin material for manufacturing the spout A1, and is cylindrical with an axis N. The material of the tube-shaped resin material C is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 12, the tube-shaped resin material C has a structure in which an outer layer 101', an inner layer 102', a barrier layer 103', a bonding layer 104', and a bonding layer 105' are laminated. The outer layer 101', the inner layer 102', the barrier layer 103', the bonding layer 104', and the bonding layer 105' correspond to the outer layer 101, the inner layer 102, the barrier layer 103, the bonding layer 104, and the bonding layer 105 in the spout A1, respectively. The tube-shaped resin material C has flexibility that allows blow molding, and is a softened tube extruded from a molten state into a tube shape.

[0060] Next, the softened tube-type resin material C is oriented along the z direction, and the tube-type resin material C is sandwiched between two mold 9 parts, for example, from both sides in the x direction. Then, the tube-type resin material C is cut at the upper side of the mold 9 in the z direction, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 12. The tube-type resin material C is placed in the cavity 90 of the mold 9 so as to extend from the first opening 910 and the second opening 930. The tube-type resin material C extending from the first opening 910 and the second opening 930 refers to a state in which one side of the tube-type resin material C protrudes from the first opening 910 in the z direction, and the other side of the tube-type resin material C protrudes from the second opening 930 in the z direction. In this embodiment, the tube-type resin material C is placed in the cavity 90 in a state in which it extends from the first introduction portion 94 and the second introduction portion 95.

[0061] Next, the tube-type resin material C is sealed. The tube-type resin material C is sealed using a first sealing body 98 and a second sealing body 99. The first sealing body 98 is columnar with an axis that coincides with the axis N. The size of the lower end of the first sealing body 98 in the z direction is smaller than the size of the first opening 910 in a direction perpendicular to the z direction. The first sealing body 98 has a step portion 981. The step portion 981 is a portion that is larger than the first opening 910 in a direction perpendicular to the z direction. The first sealing body 98 also has a blowing hole 982. The blowing hole 982 is a path for blowing gas into the tube-type resin material C, and is connected to a gas supply source such as a pump or tank not shown. The gas blown from the blowing hole 982 is not limited in any way, and various gases such as air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide can be used. In this embodiment, the case of blowing air will be described as an example. The second sealing body 99 is columnar and has an axis that coincides with the axis N. The size of the upper end of the second sealing body 99 in the z direction is smaller than the size of the second opening 930 in a direction perpendicular to the z direction. The second sealing body 99 has a step portion 991. The step portion 991 is a portion that is larger than the second opening 930 in a direction perpendicular to the z direction.

[0062] By lowering the first sealing body 98 in the z direction, the tube-type resin material C is sealed by the first sealing body 98 from the first opening 910 side as shown in FIG. 14. By raising the second sealing body 99 in the z direction, the tube-type resin material C is sealed by the second sealing body 99 from the second opening 930 side as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The sealing by the first sealing body 98 and the sealing by the second sealing body 99 may be performed in any order, or may be performed simultaneously. In this embodiment, the sealing by the second sealing body 99 from the second opening 930 side is completed first, and then the sealing by the first sealing body 98 from the first opening 910 side is completed.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, the tube-type resin material C is sealed by the second sealing body 99 by ascending the second sealing body 99 first. In the process of sealing the tube-type resin material C by the second sealing body 99, the second sealing body 99 is inserted into the tube-type resin material C and pressed against the mold 9 to cut the tube-type resin material C. Specifically, when the second sealing body 99 is inserted from the lower end of the tube-type resin material C in the figure and raised in the z direction, the step portion 991 of the second sealing body 99 is pressed against the second introduction portion 95. At this time, the tube-type resin material C is sandwiched between the step portion 991 and the second introduction portion 95, so that the tube-type resin material C is cut. In this embodiment, the size of the step portion 991 is slightly larger than the second opening 930. Therefore, the step portion 991 is pressed against a portion of the second introduction portion 95 that is very close to the second opening 930.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in this embodiment, when the first sealing body 98 is lowered in the z direction to seal the tube-type resin material C from the first opening 910 side with the first sealing body 98, gas is discharged from the blowing hole 982. In FIG. 13, when the sealing with the second sealing body 99 is completed, the tip of the first sealing body 98 is inserted into the tube-type resin material C, but the tube-type resin material C is not completely sealed by the first sealing body 98. Even in this state, gas is discharged from the blowing hole 982, so it can be said that the process of blowing gas into the tube-type resin material C from the first opening 910 side has started. Therefore, the tube-type resin material C in the softened state may be deformed so that a part or all of it is pressed against the cavity 90 of the mold 9 due to the increase in internal pressure caused by the blowing of gas.

[0065] Furthermore, when the first sealing body 98 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 14, the process of sealing the tube-type resin material C with the first sealing body 98 from the first opening 910 side is completed. In this embodiment, in the process of sealing with the first sealing body 98, the tube-type resin material C is cut by inserting the first sealing body 98 into the tube-type resin material C and pressing the first sealing body 98 against the mold 9. Specifically, when the first sealing body 98 is inserted from the upper end of the tube-type resin material C in the figure and is lowered in the z direction, the step portion 981 of the first sealing body 98 is pressed against the first introduction portion 94. At this time, the tube-type resin material C is sandwiched between the step portion 981 and the first introduction portion 94, so that the tube-type resin material C is cut. In this embodiment, the size of the step portion 981 is slightly larger than the first opening 910. Therefore, the step portion 981 is pressed against a portion of the first introduction portion 94 that is very close to the first opening 910.

[0066] When the step of sealing with the first sealing body 98 shown in Fig. 14 is completed, the tube-type resin material C is sealed from both the first opening 910 side and the second opening 930 side. Gas continues to be blown in from the blowing hole 982 even before and after the step of sealing with the first sealing body 98 is completed. After the step of sealing with the first sealing body 98 is completed, the internal pressure of the tube-type resin material C is reliably increased to a predetermined pressure by the blowing in from the blowing hole 982. As a result, the tube-type resin material C is completely pressed against the cavity 90 of the mold 9, and the tube-type resin material C is deformed into a shape that matches the shape of the cavity 90.

[0067] The protruding portion 33 of the third portion 3 of the spout A1 is located inside the third portion 3, and is therefore formed without contacting the cavity 90 of the mold 9 during the manufacture of the spout A1. It is considered that the protruding portion 33 is formed by local deformation of the tube-type resin material C during the period from the start of the process of sealing the tube-type resin material C with the second sealing body 99 until the completion of the process of blowing gas into the tube-type resin material C. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the second sealing body 99 rises and is pressed against the second introduction portion 95, the lower portion of the tube-type resin material C is pushed up by the second sealing body 99. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the first sealing body 98 is descending while gas is being blown in through the blowing hole 982. For this reason, the lower portion of the tube-type resin material C is subjected to a force lifting it from the cylindrical portion 931 of the third chamber 93 into the tapered portion 932 by the second sealing body 99, and a force pressing it against the tapered portion 932 by the pressure of the gas blowing in. It is considered that the balance of these forces causes a part of the tube-type resin material C to protrude from near the lower end of the tapered portion 932 toward the upper side in the z direction (toward the first chamber 91), forming a protrusion 33.

[0068] 15, the first sealing body 98 and the second sealing body 99 are removed from the mold 9. At this time, a portion of the tube-shaped resin material C above the cut portion by the first sealing body 98 in the z direction becomes a cut piece c1, and a portion below the cut portion by the second sealing body 99 in the z direction becomes a cut piece c2. Then, a portion of the tube-shaped resin material C that has deformed along the first chamber 91, the second chamber 92, and the third chamber 93 of the cavity 90 remains. By appropriately cooling this remaining portion, the above-mentioned spout A1 is obtained.

[0069] Next, the functions of the spout A1, the spout-equipped pouch container B1, and the method for producing the spout A1 will be described.

[0070] According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the dimension of the inlet 30 of the third part 3 is smaller than the dimension of the second part 2 in any direction perpendicular to the z direction. Therefore, the third part 3 has a shape in which the size of the cross section perpendicular to the z direction decreases from the second part 2 toward the inlet 30 as a whole. Therefore, the second part 2 is configured by connecting the third parts 3 with improved rigidity. This makes it possible to suppress the deformation of the second part 2 when the pouch container 8 is heat-sealed to the second part 2 of the spout A1. Therefore, the heat-sealing between the second part 2 and the pouch container 8 can be more appropriately performed. In particular, when the pouch container 8 is heat-sealed to the second part 2, a force is applied to sandwich the second part 2 from both sides in the y direction. The dimension Dy3, which is the dimension in the y direction of the inlet 30, is smaller than the dimension Dy2, which is the dimension in the y direction of the second part 2. This makes it possible to further suppress deformation of the second part 2 when a force is applied from both sides in the y direction, and the bonding strength between the pouch container 8 and the second part 2 can be increased.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the third part 3 has a cylindrical part 31 and a connecting part 32. The cylindrical part 31 is a part having an inlet 30, and is smaller in size than the connecting part 32 over its entire length. Such a cylindrical part 31 functions as a part that improves the rigidity of the third part 3. Therefore, when the pouch container 8 is heat-welded to the second part 2 of the spout A1, even if the pouch container 8 is heat-pressurized from the outer surface side of the pair of curved surface parts 21, it is suitable for suppressing deformation of the second part 2. In particular, if the cylindrical part 31 is cylindrical, the second part 2 is less likely to deform, which is preferable. In addition, when the spout A1 is formed by blow molding, the cylindrical part 31 has approximately the same thickness as the tube-type resin material C. On the other hand, the connecting part 32 and the second part 2 are formed by a part of the tube-type resin material C expanding due to internal pressure, and are thinner than the tube-type resin material C. In this way, forming the cylindrical part 31 as a relatively thick part is preferable for improving the rigidity of the third part 3. In addition, the pair of curved surface portions 21 have a shape that bulges outwardly and is a portion that is thin and stretched by blow molding. Therefore, the pair of curved surface portions 21 can also accommodate slight deformation caused by heat bonding, improving heat welding properties.

[0072] The third part 3 has a protrusion 33 therein. The protrusion 33 functions to improve the rigidity of the third part 3 at the end of the connecting part 32. Furthermore, the protrusion 33 does not protrude to the outside of the third part 3 (spout A1). Therefore, the rigidity of the spout A1 can be improved while finishing the spout A1 to a desired outer shape.

[0073] The second part 2 has a plurality of grooves 22. As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the region of the spout-equipped pouch container B1 where the pouch container 8 is heat-sealed to the spout A1 includes a plurality of grooves 22. Therefore, even if air present between the pouch container 8 and the second part 2 is not completely pushed out from between the pouch container 8 and the second part 2 when the pouch container 8 is heat-sealed, the air can be retained in the grooves 22. This makes it possible to prevent air from remaining between the pouch container 8 and the second part 2 (particularly the outer surface of the curved surface part 21) and causing unintended air accumulation.

[0074] As shown in Figs. 11 to 15, the spout A1 of this embodiment is manufactured by blow molding. In blow molding, a tube-shaped resin material C is placed in a cavity 90 of a mold 9, and gas is blown into the tube-shaped resin material C to deform the tube-shaped resin material C into a shape that conforms to the cavity 90. Therefore, by providing a barrier layer 103' over the entire length of the tube-shaped resin material C, the barrier layer 103 can be provided over the entire length of the spout A1 manufactured by this manufacturing method. This makes it possible to prevent gas such as oxygen from penetrating the spout A1 into the storage space 88 of the pouch container 8 and causing deterioration of the contents 89 in the spout-equipped pouch container B1.

[0075] The spout A1 can be formed with a pouring outlet 10 and an inlet 30 by inserting and sealing the tube-type resin material C from both the first opening 910 side and the second opening 930 side with a first sealing body 98 and a second sealing body 99. The pouring outlet 10 and the inlet 30 are portions where the tube-type resin material C hardly expands. On the other hand, the second part 2 is a portion where a part of the tube-type resin material C expands due to internal pressure and is shaped to fit the second chamber 92 of the cavity 90. Therefore, the second part 2 can be made to have a shape and size suitable for welding to the pouch container 8 while keeping the size of the inlet 30 small.

[0076] 13 to 15, in the process of sealing with the first sealing body 98 and the second sealing body 99, the tube-shaped resin material C is cut by pressing the first sealing body 98 and the second sealing body 99 against a die 9. Therefore, after the process of blowing gas into the tube-shaped resin material C is completed, when the first sealing body 98 and the second sealing body 99 are removed from the die 9 as shown in Fig. 15, the cut pieces c1 and c2 are automatically removed, and the shape of the spout A1 is completed. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the process of cutting the tube-shaped resin material C as an independent process, and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0077] 16 to 19 show modified examples and other embodiments of the present invention. In these figures, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment.

[0078] <First Modification of First Embodiment> 16 shows a first modified example of the spout A1. The spout A11 of this example differs from the above-mentioned spout A1 in the configuration of the protruding portion 33. The protruding portion 33 of the spout A11 is not a completely annular shape that surrounds the axis N in all directions, but is a shape that protrudes from a part of the lower end of the connecting portion 32. That is, in the example shown, the protruding portion 33 is formed at the right end of the lower end of the connecting portion 32 in the x direction in the figure, but the protruding portion 33 is not formed at the left end in the x direction in the figure.

[0079] This example also allows the spout A11 and the pouch container to be more appropriately heat-sealed. As can be seen from this example, the protrusions 33 are not formed by molding using the mold 9, but are formed by balancing during manufacturing, and therefore the shapes and sizes of the protrusions 33 may vary. However, depending on the extent to which the protrusions 33 are formed, the effect of improving the rigidity described above can be expected.

[0080] <Second embodiment> 17 shows a spout according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The spout A2 of this embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the configuration of the third section 3. The third section 3 of this embodiment does not have a protruding section 33. In other words, this corresponds to a case where a clear protruding section 33 is not formed due to balance when manufacturing the spout A2.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the spout A2 and the pouch container can be heat-sealed more appropriately. Even if the configuration does not have the protruding portion 33, the provision of the third portion 3 can be expected to provide the above-mentioned effect of improving rigidity.

[0082] <Third embodiment> FIG. 18 shows a spout according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The spout A3 of this embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiment in the configuration of the third part 3. The third part 3 of this embodiment has a tapered shape in which the size of the cross section perpendicular to the z direction decreases in the z direction from the second part 2 downward. Such a third part 3 can be manufactured, for example, by appropriately changing the shape of the third chamber 93 of the mold used to manufacture the spout A1 or by appropriately setting the cutting position. Depending on the balance of the force applied to the tube-shaped resin material C in the manufacturing method, the spout A3 may or may not have a convex part 33.

[0083] This embodiment also allows the spout A3 and the pouch container to be heat-sealed more appropriately. Even if the third section 3 does not have the cylindrical section 31, the inlet 30 is smaller than the second section 2, and thus the effect of improving rigidity can be obtained.

[0084] <Fourth embodiment> 19 shows a method for manufacturing a spout according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the step of blowing gas into the tube-type resin material C, the gas is blown from the second opening 930 side by the second sealing body 99. Specifically, the second sealing body 99 has a blowing hole 992, and the gas is blown from the blowing hole 992. In this embodiment, for example, after the step of sealing the tube-type resin material C by the first sealing body 98 is completed, the step of sealing the tube-type resin material C by the second sealing body 99 is completed. In addition, before or after the step of sealing the tube-type resin material C by the second sealing body 99 is completed, a step of blowing gas into the tube-type resin material C may be performed by blowing gas from the blowing hole 992.

[0085] This embodiment also allows the spout and the pouch container to be more appropriately heat-sealed. As can be seen from this embodiment, the step of blowing gas into the tube-shaped resin material C may involve blowing the gas from the first opening 910 side or from the second opening 930 side. Furthermore, the gas may be blown from both the first opening 910 side and the second opening 930 side.

[0086] The spout, spout-equipped pouch container, and spout manufacturing method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment. The specific configurations of the spout, spout-equipped pouch container, and spout manufacturing method according to the present invention can be freely designed in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] A1, A11, A2, A3, B1: Pouch containers with spouts 1: Part 1 2: Part 2 3: Part 3 4: Part 4 7: Cap 8: Pouch container 9: Mold 10: Outlet 11: Main body 12: Male thread 13: Ring-shaped protrusion 21: Curved surface part 22: Groove 30:Inlet 31: Cylindrical part 32:Connection part 33: Convex 81:Main surface part 82: Top seal part 83: Side seal part 84: Bottom seal 88: Containment space 89:Contents 90: Cavity 91: 1st room 92: 2nd room 93:3rd room 94:First introduction 95:Second introduction 98:First sealing body 99:Second sealing body 101,101': Outer layer 102,102': Inner layer 103, 103': Barrier layer 104,104',105,105': Bonding layer 910: First opening 911, 912: Groove 921: Convex 930: Second opening 931: Cylinder section 932: Tapered section 981: Step 982:Blow hole 991: Step 992: Air inlet C: Tube-type resin material c1,c2: Cut piece Dx1,Dx2,Dx3,Dy1,Dy2,Dy3: inch method N : Axis

Claims

1. A cylindrical first portion having an axis extending in a first direction and a spout located on one side in the first direction; a second portion having an axis extending in the first direction and communicating with the first portion; A third section having an inlet communicating with the second section and located on the other side opposite the pouring outlet in the first direction; Equipped with The second part is welded to the pouch container; the second portion is located on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first portion, the third portion is located on the other side in the first direction with respect to the second portion, In any direction perpendicular to the first direction, a dimension of the inlet is smaller than a dimension of the second portion; the third portion includes a connecting portion that is located between the second portion and the inlet and has a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the first direction that decreases from the one side to the other side in the first direction, The third portion includes a cylindrical portion having the inlet, A spout, wherein the third portion includes a convex portion provided inside the connecting portion, the convex portion protruding from an end of the connecting portion on the inlet side in the first direction toward the first portion.

2. The spout of claim 1; a pouch container welded to the second part; A spouted pouch container comprising:

Images