Bag body having a valve structure

Abstract

To provide a bag that solves both the issue of smoothly discharging fluid from the inside of the bag and the issue of reliably preventing the backflow of fluid.SOLUTION: A valve structure 20 is provided with two front and rear valve sheets arranged below the two front and rear bag sheets. A valve flow path 30 is provided with an upstream opening 31 inside the bag body and a downstream opening 32 to the outside. The upstream opening 31 is defined by an upstream seal 21, the left and right sides of the valve flow path 30 are defined by side seals 22, and the downstream opening 32 is defined by a downstream seal 23. Both the maximum flow path width m of the valve flow path 30 and the downstream opening width d of the downstream opening 32 are set larger than the upstream opening width u of the upstream opening 31, thereby suppressing bulging of the valve flow path 30 during normal flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pouch, and more particularly to a pouch having a valve structure for controlling the flow of various fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a bag body having a valve structure that includes front and rear bag sheets made up of a front bag sheet and a rear bag sheet, and front and rear valve sheets made up of a front valve sheet and a rear valve sheet, the front and rear valve sheets being sandwiched between the front and rear bag sheets, and a valve flow path for discharging fluid inside the bag space defined by the front and rear bag sheets to the outside of the bag, the valve flow path having an upstream opening on the bag space side and a downstream opening on the bag exterior side, such that a forward flow is achieved in which the fluid that flows into the valve flow path from the upstream opening flows out to the outside of the bag from the outlet, while the front and rear valve sheets of the valve flow path are in close contact with each other to suppress backflow of fluid from outside the bag.

[0003] The invention of Patent Document 1 can discharge fluids such as air inside the bag body to the outside through a valve flow path, while functioning as a check valve that prevents fluids such as air from entering from the outside. Therefore, it can be implemented as a compression bag that can discharge air from a bag containing items such as clothing or blankets to make it compact. Such a valve structure that functions as a check valve is also applied to a bag body, as in Patent Document 2, that discharges the liquid inside to the outside while preventing air from entering from the outside.

[0004] In the valve structures of these patent documents, the internal fluid passes through a valve flow path formed between two front and rear valve seats and is discharged to the outside, while backflow is prevented by the two front and rear valve seats being in close contact with each other in the valve flow path, so side seals are formed on the left and right sides of the valve flow path and the left and right widths are limited to a predetermined width. In the valve structures of these patent documents, the left and right widths of the valve flow path are approximately the same in the up and down direction, and the left and right side seals are formed parallel to each other.

[0005] Patent Document 1 also proposes providing a regulating seal such as a point seal to prevent the bag's expansion from adversely affecting the closing function of the check valve, but this regulating seal is formed not within the valve flow path but at a distant position upstream of the valve flow path.

[0006] This type of valve structure faces two difficult-to-reconcile requirements: smooth discharge of fluid from the bag and reliable prevention of backflow of fluid. Specifically, a wider valve flow path is preferable for smooth discharge of fluid, but the wider the valve flow path, the less likely the seat will deform as intended by the designer, making smooth discharge of fluid more difficult. On the other hand, poor adhesion between the two valve seats after discharge of fluid makes it difficult to reliably prevent backflow of fluid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6632109 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5050279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a bag body equipped with a valve structure that is advantageous in satisfying both the demand for smoothly discharging fluid from inside the bag and the demand for reliably blocking backflow of fluid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an improvement to a bag body having a valve structure which includes front and rear bag sheets made of a front bag sheet and a rear bag sheet, and front and rear valve sheets made of a front valve sheet and a rear valve sheet, the front and rear valve sheets being sandwiched between the front and rear bag sheets, and a valve flow path for discharging fluid inside the bag space defined by the front and rear bag sheets to the outside of the bag being formed between the front and rear valve sheets, the valve flow path having an upstream opening on the bag space side and a downstream opening on the bag exterior side, such that a forward flow is achieved in which the fluid which flows into the valve flow path from the upstream opening flows out to the outside of the bag from the downstream opening, while the front and rear valve sheets of the valve flow path are in close contact with each other to suppress backflow of fluid from outside the bag. In the bag body having the valve structure of the present invention, both the left and right sides of the valve flow path are restricted by the front and rear valve sheets and side seals that seal the front and rear bag sheets. In a plan view when the bag body is not inflated, the maximum flow path width in the left and right direction of the valve flow path and the downstream opening width in the left and right direction of the downstream port are set larger than the upstream opening width in the left and right direction of the upstream port, thereby suppressing expansion of the valve flow path during the forward flow. When implementing the present invention, a point seal can be formed in the middle of the valve flow path, sealing portions of the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets together, thereby suppressing expansion of the valve flow path during forward flow. Furthermore, the shape of the upstream opening is determined by an upstream seal that seals the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets, and the shape of the downstream opening is determined by a downstream seal that seals the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets, the upstream opening is provided with an inlet passage and an intermediate passage, the opening width in the left-right direction of the inlet passage gradually increases toward the upstream end, and the intermediate passage is located downstream of the inlet passage and has a smaller change in opening width in the left-right direction than the inlet passage, and this can be implemented. In addition, the front and rear bag sheets are sealed on both the left and right sides by bag side seals, and one of the side seals on the left and right sides is shared with the bag side seal, the front valve sheet is sealed to the front bag sheet at its upper part by an attachment seal, the rear valve sheet is sealed to the rear bag sheet at its upper part by an attachment seal, the front and rear valve sheets are not sealed to each other at the upstream opening, and the upstream seal that defines the intermediate path is formed on top of the attachment seal, and this can be implemented. Furthermore, the dimensions of the valve flow path can be changed as appropriate; for example, when viewed in a plan view with the bag body uninflated, the maximum flow path width of the valve flow path can be 3 to 6 times the upstream opening width of the upstream port, and the downstream opening width of the downstream port can be 2 to 4 times the upstream opening width of the upstream port, and the intermediate path can have a section in which the opening width in the left-right direction does not change over a vertical length of at least 4 mm or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention provides a bag body equipped with a new valve structure that is advantageous in satisfying the difficult-to-reconcile requirements of smooth discharge of fluid from the inside of the bag and reliable blocking of backflow of fluid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a main portion of a bag body provided with a valve structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1. (A) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG. 1, (B) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line BB in FIG. 1, (C) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line CC in FIG. 1, and (D) is an explanatory diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Compression bag)

[0013] The bag body provided with the valve structure according to this embodiment is used to store various clothes, bedding such as futons and blankets, and other items by opening the fastener 12 at the upper opening for storage. After closing the fastener 12, it is pressed from the outside to discharge the air inside the bag from the valve structure portion 20 at the lower part to the outside, and it is a compression bag that can maintain a reduced volume state for a long time. This compression bag can be used not only for tidying up in general households but also for stockpiling in case of disasters or emergencies. In particular, it is a compression bag that does not require tools or electricity, can reduce weight, and can prevent the intrusion of water, dust, etc. The size of the bag body can be implemented in various forms in a plan view when the bag body is not inflated. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is rectangular. The bag dimensions are implemented as a relatively large bag with a left - right width of 750 mm to 1500 mm, but it can also be implemented as an even larger one or as a small one with a length and width of about 100 mm.

[0014] As a volume reduction method, basically, air inside the bag can be released to the outside by applying hands and body weight from the outside of the bag. However, it is also possible to slightly open the fastener 12 at the upper opening, insert the nozzle of a suction machine to suck out the internal air, and then close the fastener 12. (Overview of the bag body)

[0015] The bag body is composed of two front - and - rear valve sheets 17 (front valve sheet 18 and rear valve sheet 19) sandwiched between two front - and - rear bag sheets 14 (front bag sheet 15 and rear bag sheet 16). These four can be implemented as flexible synthetic resin sheets, and from the back (the left side in FIG. 2), the rear bag sheet 16, rear valve sheet 19, front valve sheet 18, and front bag sheet 15 are stacked in order. The front - and - rear valve sheets 17 are preferably thinner films than the front - and - rear bag sheets 14 to perform the valve action. However, the front - and - rear bag sheets 14 can be implemented as a laminate of multiple synthetic resin films to give the bag body appropriate strength, or in some cases, a different material such as a metal foil can be used in combination. Note that each diagram in FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the cross-sectional structure, and the thickness and dimensional ratio of the sheet are different from the actual ones.

[0016] The valve structure portion 20 is arranged on both the left and right sides of the lower part of the bag, and the front and rear valve sheets 17 may be arranged only in these parts, but from the viewpoint of continuous production in which sheets are produced by flowing them in the left and right direction, it is more advantageous to implement the front and rear valve sheets 17 as being continuous in the left and right direction, like the front and rear bag sheets 14.

[0017] When attempting to release air from the bag through the valvular structure 20, the valvular structure 20 expands three-dimensionally, but unless the expanded shape is as intended by the designer, the air will not escape smoothly. Furthermore, particularly when the valvular structure 20 is provided at both corners of the bottom of the compression bag, the corners on both sides of the bottom may bend when pressurized, blocking the valve flow path 30 of the valvular structure 20. Conversely, the front and rear valve sheets 17 may not be in close contact with each other when exhaustion is complete, allowing air to flow back. The valvular structure 20 of this embodiment solves these problems with a novel, unprecedented structure. (Bag seal)

[0018] The four sheets are generally joined by heat sealing using a mold at the required locations, but other sealing means such as ultrasonic waves or other bonding means such as adhesives may also be used.

[0019] The front and rear valve sheets 17 are sealed by the mounting seal 13 while positioned below the front and rear bag sheets 14 (bag bottom). The mounting seal 13 seals the upper edge of the front valve sheet 18 to the front bag sheet 15, and also seals the upper edge of the rear valve sheet 19 to the rear bag sheet 16, but the mounting seal 13 does not seal between the front valve sheet 18 and the rear valve sheet 19. Therefore, items can be placed up to the bottom end of the bag body in areas other than the valve structure portions 20 on both the left and right sides, and even when front and rear valve sheets 17 that are continuous in the left-right direction are used, it is possible to prevent the storage volume from being unnecessarily reduced.

[0020] In this way, with the front and rear valve sheets 17 arranged at the lower part (bottom of the bag) of the front and rear bag sheets 14 and the attachment seal 13 applied, the bottom seal 11 and the bag side seals 10 on both left and right sides are applied, and at the upper opening of the bag body, the fastener 12 is arranged and then sealed. (Valve structure part 20)

[0021] The valve structure part 20 has a structure in which a valve flow path 30 for discharging the air inside the bag body to the outside of the bag is formed between the front and rear valve sheets 17 (front valve sheet 18 and rear valve sheet 19). The valve flow path 30 includes an upstream port 31 on the bag space side and a point seal 24 on the outside of the bag. In the valve structure part 20, while the air flowing into the valve flow path 30 from the upstream port 31 flows out to the outside of the bag through the intermediate path for the forward flow, the adhesion of the front and rear valve sheets 17 of the valve flow path 30 suppresses the reverse flow of the air from the outside of the bag. (Valve structure seal)

[0022] It is formed by four valve structure seals: an upstream seal 21, a side seal 22, a downstream seal 23, and a point seal 24. All of these valve structure seals seal the four sheets of the front and rear bag sheets 14 and the front and rear valve sheets 17.

[0023] The upstream seal 21 defines the shape of the upstream port 31, the downstream seal 23 defines the shape of the downstream port 32, the side seal 22 connects the upstream seal 21 and the downstream seal 23, and defines the shape of the valve flow path 30. The point seal 24 is a seal formed at a point in the middle of the valve flow path 30.

[0024] These valve structure seals define the upstream port 31, the valve flow path 30, and the downstream port 32 from the upstream side to the downstream side. Further, in the following description, the upstream port 31 includes an introduction path and an intermediate path, and the valve flow path 30 includes an enlarged width path and a maximum width path, but the reference signs for each path are omitted to prevent the figure from becoming complicated. (Upstream seal 21)

[0025] The upstream seal 21 is formed continuously with the side seal 22, and no clear distinction is necessary between the two, but for convenience in this embodiment, the portion formed above the lower edge of the mounting seal 13 (inside the bag) will be called the upstream seal 21, and the portion formed below the lower edge of the mounting seal 13 (outside the bag) will be called the side seal 22.

[0026] The upstream seal 21 has, on both the left and right sides, an introduction portion 25 and an intermediate portion 26. The space between the left and right introduction portions 25 is the introduction path, and the space between the left and right intermediate portions 26 is the widest path.

[0027] The introduction section 25 is inclined to both the left and right as viewed from the central upstream port 31, and the width of the opening in the left and right direction of the introduction path gradually increases as it progresses toward the upstream end (toward the inside of the bag body). This inclination of the left and right introduction sections 25 facilitates the introduction of air into the upstream port 31 when the bag body is pressurized. The inclination angle of this introduction section 25 (the angle that the outer edge of the introduction section 25 makes with respect to the horizontal line in FIG. 1 ) may be gentle, around 10 degrees, relatively steep, exceeding 60 degrees, or curved. In any case, various modifications can be made to the shape as long as it facilitates the introduction of air into the upstream port 31.

[0028] Next, the intermediate passage is disposed downstream of the introduction passage in the forward flow, and in this example is the space formed between the left and right intermediate sections 26. The change in opening width in the left-right direction of the intermediate passage is smaller than that of the introduction passage, and in this example, the left and right opening width of the intermediate passage does not change, and the left and right intermediate sections 26 are parallel to each other.

[0029] The section where these intermediate portions 26 are parallel to each other and the width of the left and right openings of the upstream port 31 does not change is preferably at least 4 mm long in the vertical direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the intermediate portions 26 are formed so as to overlap the mounting seal 13. This configuration makes it easier for air to be guided from the upstream port 31 to the valve flow path 30 during normal flow, and prevents the film from bending. (Side seal 22)

[0030] The side seal 22 includes an enlarged portion 27 following the intermediate portion 26 and a maximum portion 28 following the enlarged portion 27. The space defined by these left and right side seals 22 (the enlarged portion 27 and the maximum portion 28) is the valve flow path 30. For the sake of explanation, the space formed between the left and right enlarged portions 27 is called the enlarged width path, and the space formed between the left and right maximum portions 28 is called the maximum width path.

[0031] The enlarged portion 27 is inclined to both the left and right as viewed from the central upstream port 31, and the opening width in the left - right direction of the enlarged width path gradually increases as it proceeds downward (toward the outside of the bag body). Due to the inclination of the left and right enlarged portions 27 in this way, during normal flow, the air entering the valve flow path 30 from the upstream port 31 gradually spreads out. The maximum portion 28 defines the maximum width path and is the location where the left - right interval is the widest. Through this maximum width path, the air during normal flow flows out to the outside from the downstream port 32.

[0032] When discharging the air during normal flow, since the pressurized air passes through the upstream port 31, the two front - and - rear valve sheets 17 separate from each other and become approximately cylindrical in shape. However, by widening the left - right width of the valve flow path 30, even if the front - and - rear interval between the two front - and - rear valve sheets 17 in the valve flow path 30 does not expand much, the air during normal flow can still pass through. That is, in the valve flow path 30, the two front - and - rear valve sheets 17 do not separate much from each other and do not need to become three - dimensional in an approximately cylindrical shape. As a result, the deformation of the front - and - rear valve sheets 17 is suppressed, it becomes difficult for wrinkles to form on the two front - and - rear valve sheets 17, a smooth normal flow is realized, and at the stage when the pressurization of the bag body is completed, the two front - and - rear valve sheets 17 are likely to adhere to each other, realizing the prevention of backflow.

[0033] The inclination of the enlarged portion 27 that defines the enlarged width passage prevents abrupt changes in the shape of the introduction passage, thereby effectively suppressing sudden deformation of the front and rear valve seats 17. The inclination angle of this enlarged portion 27 (the angle that the outer side of the enlarged portion 27 makes with respect to the horizontal line in FIG. 1) may be gentle, about 10 degrees, relatively steep, exceeding 60 degrees, or may be curved. In any case, various modifications can be made as long as the shape prevents abrupt changes in the introduction passage. (Downstream seal 23)

[0034] The downstream end of the valve flow path 30 opens at a downstream port 32 and leads to the outside of the bag. The downstream port 32 is the space between the left and right downstream seals 23, and the forward flow of air is discharged from the downstream port 32. The side seals 22 form a large space in the left-right direction, but if this space were open to the outside as it is, there would be a high risk of backflow from the outside, so this opening has been narrowed. No bag bottom seal 11 is formed at this downstream port 32, and air flows out to the outside from between the front and rear valve seats 17. (Ratio of maximum flow path width, upstream opening width, downstream opening width)

[0035] In a plan view when the bag body is not inflated, the maximum flow path width m of the left and right openings in the widest path is suitably 3 to 6 times the upstream opening width u of the upstream opening 31. The downstream opening width d of the downstream opening 32 is smaller than the flow path maximum width m and suitably 2 to 4 times the upstream opening width u. The valve flow path 30 is suitably long horizontally with its vertical length being smaller than its left and right width, and it is more preferable that the left and right width be 2 to 6 times the vertical length. Of course, the present invention can be implemented without being limited to these numerical values. (Sharing of stickers)

[0036] The valve structure seal can be used in common with other seals. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, when the valve structure section 20 is provided on the left side of the bag body, the maximum section 28 on the left side can be used in common with the left bag side seal 10. In addition, the downstream seal 23 can be used in common with the bag bottom seal 11, but no seal is formed at the downstream opening 32 between the left and right downstream seals 23, and the four sheets are not joined together, just like the valve flow path 30 and the upstream opening 31. (Point sticker 24)

[0037] A point seal 24 is formed midway along the valve flow path 30. This prevents the valve flow path 30 from expanding three-dimensionally during normal flow, and prevents the front and rear valve seats 17 from deforming significantly during normal flow.

[0038] In this example, the point seal 24 is located at the maximum flow path width m of the valve flow path 30, approximately in the center in the left-right direction. However, the shape and size of the point seal 24 can be modified as needed. The location of the point seal 24 can also be modified as needed, as long as the objective of suppressing three-dimensional expansion of the valve flow path 30 is achieved. The location of the point seal 24 can be modified depending on the type and physical properties of the material used to achieve the above objective. Two or more point seals may be provided, or none may be provided at all. The provision of the point seal 24 may create a labyrinth structure in the valve flow path 30 to prevent backflow. However, this may result in adverse effects such as excessive obstruction of forward flow during exhaust or the sheet becoming more likely to bend starting from the valve flow path 30. Therefore, it is appropriate to implement the point seal under favorable conditions, comprehensively assessing the relationship between the ultimate objective of controlling air flow, including forward and reverse flow. (Example of change)

[0039] The present invention can be implemented with various modifications without being limited to this embodiment. For example, the position where the valve structure portion 20 is provided may be at the intermediate position in the left - right direction at the bottom of the bag body, or it may be at the left and right side portions of the bag body. Although the shape of the valve structure portion 20 is implemented as being left - right asymmetric, for example, it can also be implemented as a left - right symmetric shape, such as having a shape symmetric to either the left or right shape in FIG. 1 and making it the shape of the other side. The bag body is implemented as a compression bag, but it can also be implemented as the form of a liquid pouring portion of a container for storing liquid as in Patent Document 2, or it can be implemented as a device for controlling the flow of various fluids other than air.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 10 Bag side seal 11 Bag bottom seal 12 Fastener 13 Mounting seal 14 Front - rear bag sheet 15 Front bag sheet 16 Rear bag sheet 17 Front - rear valve sheet 18 Front valve sheet 19 Rear valve sheet 20 Valve structure portion 21 Upstream seal 22 Side seal 23 Downstream seal 24 Point seal 25 Introduction portion 26 Intermediate portion 27 Enlargement portion 28 Maximum portion 30 Valve flow path 31 Upstream port 32 Downstream port d Downstream opening width m Maximum flow path width u Upstream opening width

Claims

1. A bag body comprising a front and rear bag sheet including a front bag sheet and a rear bag sheet, and a front and rear valve sheet including a front valve sheet and a rear valve sheet, wherein the front and rear valve sheets are sandwiched between the front and rear bag sheets, a valve flow path for discharging the fluid inside the bag space defined by the front and rear bag sheets to the outside of the bag is formed between the front and rear valve sheets, the valve flow path includes an upstream port on the bag space side and a downstream port on the outside of the bag side, while a forward flow is made such that the fluid flowing into the valve flow path from the upstream port flows out of the downstream port to the outside of the bag, a valve structure is configured such that a backflow of the fluid from the outside of the bag is suppressed by the front and rear valve sheets of the valve flow path being in close contact with each other. In the bag body having such a valve structure, both left and right sides of the valve flow path are restricted by side seals that seal the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets, in a plan view when the bag body is not inflated, the maximum width of the flow path in the left-right direction of the valve flow path and the downstream opening width in the left-right direction of the downstream port are set to be larger than the upstream opening width in the left-right direction of the upstream port, whereby the swelling of the valve flow path during the forward flow is suppressed, the form of the upstream port is defined by an upstream seal that seals the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets, the form of the downstream port is defined by a downstream seal that seals the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets, the upstream port includes an introduction path and an intermediate path, the introduction path has an opening width in the left-right direction that gradually increases toward the upstream end, the intermediate path is disposed on the downstream side of the introduction path and has a valve structure characterized in that the change in the opening width in the left-right direction is smaller than that of the introduction path. A bag body having such a valve structure.

2. A bag body having the valve structure according to claim 1, wherein a point seal is formed by sealing a part of the front and rear valve sheets and the front and rear bag sheets to each other in the middle of the valve flow path, whereby the swelling of the valve flow path during the forward flow is suppressed.

3. the front and rear bag sheets are sealed to each other on both left and right sides by bag side seals, and either one of the side seals on both left and right sides is shared with the bag side seal, the front valve sheet is sealed to the front bag sheet by an attachment seal at its upper part, the rear valve sheet is sealed to the rear bag sheet by an attachment seal at its upper part, the front and rear valve sheets are not sealed to each other at the upstream port, The bag body having the valve structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upstream seal defining the intermediate passage is formed by overlapping the mounting seal.

4. In a plan view of the bag body in a non-inflated state, the maximum width of the flow path of the valve flow path is 3 to 6 times the upstream opening width of the upstream port, and the downstream opening width of the downstream port is 2 to 4 times the upstream opening width of the upstream port. The bag body having the valve structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

5. The bag body having the valve structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate passage includes a section in which the opening width in the left-right direction does not change over an up-down length of at least 4 mm or more.

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