Pouch container

Abstract

To provide a pouch container having a finger insertion part into which a finger can be inserted, reduced in a load to the finger inserted into the insertion part and simplified in structure.SOLUTION: A pouch container 1A has a front wall part 11 and a rear wall part forming a body part 10, and a first end edge part 21 formed by overlapping edge parts thereof. The first end edge part 21 has a first grip part 81 formed by providing a first insertion part 61 into which a finger can be inserted to the first end edge part 21. A second cut line CL2 including a first portion CL2a extending along a width direction of the body part 10 is provided in the first end edge part 21 of a portion positioned above the first insertion part 61. The first end edge part 21 includes a first bridge part 91 formed by providing the first insertion part 61 and the second cut line CL2 thereto. The second cut line CL2 further includes a second portion CL2b extending upward from both ends of the first portion CL2a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pouch container having a handle formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pouch containers have been known in which a handle is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted for the purpose of improving gripping. Some pouch containers of this type have an insertion portion provided in a seal portion where a pair of sheet-like film members are joined together. However, in such a configuration, the rigidity of the edge of the insertion portion is increased, and therefore, when a finger is inserted through the insertion portion to grip the pouch container, the edge of the insertion portion may dig into the finger, causing pain.

[0003] To solve this problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-071851 (Patent Document 1) discloses a pouch container in which an unsealed portion is provided above the insertion portion to reduce the rigidity in the vicinity of the insertion portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-071851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the pouch container disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a finger is inserted into the insertion portion, the portion located above the insertion portion bends along the finger in a twisting manner, thereby reducing the strain on the finger. However, even with the above configuration, depending on the material and thickness of the sheet-like film member that constitutes the pouch container, the portion located above the insertion portion may not twist sufficiently, which may result in an unacceptable strain on the finger inserted into the insertion portion.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to reduce the burden on fingers inserted into an insertion portion in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The pouch container according to the present invention has a storage space for storing contents provided inside a body portion, and includes sheet-like front and rear wall portions that constitute the body portion, and an edge portion formed by overlapping the edges of the front and rear walls. The edge portion has a seal portion formed by joining the front and rear walls, and a handle portion formed by providing an insertion portion at the edge portion through which a finger can be inserted. A cut line including a first portion extending along the width direction of the body portion is provided at the edge portion located above the insertion portion. The edge portion includes a bridge portion formed by providing the insertion portion and the cut line at the edge portion, and the cut line further includes second portions extending upward from both ends of the first portion.

[0008] In the pouch container based on the present invention, at least one of the pair of ends of the bridge portion in the axial direction of the body portion, which is a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the body portion, may include a portion that bulges out in a direction away from the other end.

[0009] In the pouch container based on the present invention, an unsealed portion where the front wall portion and the rear wall portion are not joined may be formed on at least one of the pair of ends in the extension direction of the bridge portion.

[0010] In the pouch container based on the present invention, an additional insertion portion may be provided at the edge portion of the portion located above the insertion portion, and in that case, the lower end portion of the additional insertion portion may be defined by the cut line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted, it is possible to reduce the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pouch container according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pouch container shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the pouch container shown in FIG. 1 with the tongue portion folded back. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the handle of the pouch container shown in FIG. 1 is being gripped. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pouch container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pouch container according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pouch container according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pouch container according to a third modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pouch container according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of a corner of a pouch container according to fourth to sixth modified examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or common parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a front view of a pouch container according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the pouch container shown in Fig. 1 with the tongue portion folded back. First, the structure of a pouch container 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. For ease of understanding, the sealed portions of the sheet-like film member that constitutes the pouch container 1A are colored in Figs. 1 and 3 (the same applies to Figs. 4 to 10 described later).

[0015] 1 and 2, the pouch container 1A mainly comprises a body 10, an edge portion 20, and a bottom gusset portion 30. A storage space 10a for storing contents is provided inside the body 10. The contents stored in the storage space 10a are usually liquid, but may also be granular, powdery, or the like.

[0016] The body portion 10 is composed of a pair of sheet-shaped body portion film members facing each other, one of which constitutes the front wall portion 11 and the other of which constitutes the rear wall portion 12.

[0017] The edge portion 20 is a portion formed by overlapping the edges of the front wall portion 11 and the rear wall portion 12 in the width direction, and has a first edge portion 21 and a second edge portion 22.

[0018] The first edge portion 21 includes a first edge portion side seal portion 51 formed by joining the front wall portion 11 and the rear wall portion 12 that constitute it, and the second edge portion 22 has a second edge portion side seal portion 52 formed by joining the front wall portion 11 and the rear wall portion 12 that constitute it.

[0019] A spout 40 is further provided on the upper part of second edge portion 22. Spout 40 is composed of a base portion 41 attached to second edge portion 22, a pouring portion 42 provided to protrude from base portion 41, and a cap 43 that can be attached to and detached from pouring portion 42 to open and close said pouring portion 42.

[0020] Spout 40 is attached to second edge portion 22 by sandwiching base 41 between front wall portion 11 and rear wall portion 12 that constitute second edge portion 22 and joining these front wall portion 11 and rear wall portion 12.

[0021] The bottom crotch portion 30 is made of a sheet-like bottom crotch film member, and is formed by overlapping and joining the edge portions of the sheet-like bottom crotch film member to the edge portions of the front wall portion 11 and the rear wall portion 12 that form one end of the body portion 10 in the axial direction perpendicular to the width direction of the body portion 10. As a result, a first bottom crotch side seal portion 53 is formed at the boundary between the front wall portion 11 and the bottom crotch portion 30, and a second bottom crotch side seal portion 54 is formed at the boundary between the rear wall portion 12 and the bottom crotch portion 30.

[0022] Here, no seal is formed on the edge of the front wall 11 and the edge of the rear wall 12 that constitute the end of the body 10 opposite the bottom crotch 30 in the axial direction. As a result, an injection port 13 for injecting the contents into the storage space 10a is provided at the upper end of the body 10. The edge of the front wall 11 and the edge of the rear wall 12 that define the injection port 13 are joined to seal the contents after they have been injected into the storage space 10a.

[0023] The body film member constituting the body 10 and the bottom gusset film member constituting the bottom gusset 30 are made of, for example, resin film members. The resin film member is preferably a laminate of a base film layer that exhibits the basic properties of a package (such as impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance) and a sealant layer that enables bonding. In some cases, the resin film member may be a laminate that includes, in addition to the base film layer and sealant layer, a barrier layer that exhibits additional properties such as high gas barrier properties and light blocking properties, between the base film layer and the sealant layer.

[0024] Examples of materials for the base film layer include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate; polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyethersulfone.

[0025] Examples of materials for the sealant layer include low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, unstretched polypropylene, biaxially oriented nylon, ethylene-olefin copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0026] Examples of materials for the barrier layer include metals such as aluminum, resins such as vinylidene chloride and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, aluminum oxide, and silica.

[0027] The film members may be joined together by fusion bonding using heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high frequency sealing, or the like, or by bonding using an adhesive.

[0028] 1, a plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3 are provided in the first edge seal portion 51 of the first edge portion 21, and a plurality of corresponding tongue portions 61 to 63 are also provided. Note that the numbers of the plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3 and the tongue portions 61 to 63 are not particularly limited and are set appropriately depending on the size of the pouch container 1A, etc.

[0029] In this embodiment, three cut lines CL1 to CL3 are provided on the first edge side seal portion 51 so that the three tongue portions 61 to 63 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the body portion 10 and their bases are positioned outside the width direction of the body portion 10.

[0030] For ease of explanation, the cut lines located on the bottom gusset portion 30 side of the pouch container 1A will be referred to as the first cut line CL1, the second cut line CL2, and the third cut line CL3, in that order, and the tongue portion corresponding to the first cut line CL1 will be referred to as the first tongue portion 61, the tongue portion corresponding to the second cut line CL2 as the second tongue portion 62, and the tongue portion corresponding to the third cut line CL3 as the third tongue portion 63.

[0031] 3, a first insertion portion 71 is formed by folding back the first tongue portion 61 with a finger at a location where the first tongue portion 61 is provided. Similarly, a second insertion portion 72 is formed by folding back the second tongue portion 62 with a finger at a location where the second tongue portion 62 is provided, and a third insertion portion 73 is formed by folding back the third tongue portion 63 with a finger at a location where the third tongue portion 63 is provided. The first insertion portion 71, second insertion portion 72, and third insertion portion 73 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the body 10.

[0032] The first insertion portion 71, the second insertion portion 72, and the third insertion portion 73 are all sized to allow a finger to be inserted therethrough, and by providing these, a plurality of handle portions 81 to 83 are formed on the first edge portion 21. Specifically, the first handle portion 81 is formed on the outer side of the first insertion portion 71 in the width direction of the body 10, the second handle portion 82 is formed on the outer side of the second insertion portion 72 in the width direction, and the third handle portion 83 is formed on the outer side of the third insertion portion 73 in the width direction.

[0033] 1 and 3, the lower end of the second cut line CL2 includes a first portion CL2a extending along the width direction of the body 10 and a pair of second portions CL2b extending upward from both ends of the first portion CL2a. That is, the first portion CL2a and the second portion CL2b of the second cut line CL2 are located at the first edge portion 21 located above the first insertion portion 71.

[0034] Meanwhile, the lower end of the third cut line CL3 includes a first portion CL3a extending along the width direction of the body 10 and a pair of second portions CL3b extending upward from both ends of the first portion CL3a. That is, the first portion CL3a and the second portion CL3b of the third cut line CL3 are located at the first edge portion 21 located above the second insertion portion 72.

[0035] As a result, in the pouch container 1A according to this embodiment, the second insertion portion 72 serving as an additional insertion portion for the first insertion portion 71 is provided so as to be positioned above the first insertion portion 71, and the lower end of the second insertion portion 72 is defined by the first portion CL2a and the second portion CL2b of the second cut line CL2 described above. Similarly, in the pouch container 1A according to this embodiment, the third insertion portion 73 serving as an additional insertion portion for the second insertion portion 72 is provided so as to be positioned above the second insertion portion 72, and the lower end of the third insertion portion 73 is defined by the first portion CL3a and the second portion CL3b of the third cut line CL3 described above.

[0036] The first edge seal portion 51 of the first edge 21 is provided with the first insertion portion 71 and the second cut line CL2, thereby forming a first bridge portion 91 located between them. The upper end of the first bridge portion 91 is defined by the first portion CL2a and the second portion CL2b of the second cut line CL2, and the lower end is defined by the upper end of the first cut line CL1.

[0037] An end of the first bridge portion 91 on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 includes a first bulging portion 91a bulging in a direction away from an end of the first bridge portion 91 on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10, and an end of the first bridge portion 91 on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 includes a second bulging portion 91b bulging in a direction away from an end of the first bridge portion 91 on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10. In other words, a pair of ends of the first bridge portion 91 in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 bulge in directions away from each other. As a result, both end portions in the extension direction of the first bridge portion 91 (i.e., the width direction of the trunk portion 10) are configured to have a narrower width (i.e., size in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10) than a central portion.

[0038] Similarly, the second insertion portion 72 and the third cut line CL3 are provided in the first edge seal portion 51 of the first edge 21, thereby forming a second bridge portion 92 located between them. The upper end of the second bridge portion 92 is defined by the first portion CL3a and the second portion CL3b of the third cut line CL3, and the lower end is defined by the upper end of the second cut line CL2.

[0039] An end of the second bridge portion 92 on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 includes a first bulge portion 92a bulging in a direction away from an end of the second bridge portion 92 on the third insertion portion 73 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10, and an end of the second bridge portion 92 on the third insertion portion 73 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 includes a second bulge portion 92b bulging in a direction away from an end of the second bridge portion 92 on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10. In other words, a pair of ends of the second bridge portion 92 in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10 bulge in directions away from each other. As a result, both end portions in the extension direction of the second bridge portion 92 (i.e., the width direction of the trunk portion 10) are configured to have a narrower width (i.e., size in the axial direction of the trunk portion 10) than a central portion.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the handle of the pouch container according to embodiment 1 is gripped. Next, an example of a state in which the handle of the pouch container 1A is gripped will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the pouch container 1A shown in Fig. 4, an upper end seal portion 55 is formed at the upper end of the body portion 10 by joining the edge of the front wall portion 11 and the edge of the rear wall portion 12 that define the injection port 13, thereby sealing the contents inside the pouch container 1A.

[0041] 4 shows the situation in which the pouch container 1A is gripped again to pour out the contents when a considerable amount of the contents contained in the pouch container 1A has already been poured out and the amount has decreased accordingly. The situation in which the pouch container 1A is gripped and the contents are poured out when the contents contained in the pouch container 1A are still quite large will be explained later.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, when pouring the contents contained in the storage space 10a from the spout 40 (see Figure 1), first, the index finger and middle finger are used to fold the second tongue portion 62 back toward its base (i.e., toward the outside in the width direction of the body portion 10), thereby inserting the index finger and middle finger into the second insertion portion 72.

[0043] At this time, the index finger comes into contact with the second bridge portion 92 located above the second insertion portion 72, causing torsional deformation in the second bridge portion 92. Due to this torsional deformation of the second bridge portion 92, the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the front wall portion 11 side faces the upper side of the pouch container 1A, and the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the rear wall portion 12 side faces the lower side of the pouch container 1A.

[0044] Similarly, when the first tongue portion 61 is folded back toward its base by the ring finger and little finger, the ring finger and little finger are inserted through the first insertion portion 71, and the ring finger comes into contact with the first bridge portion 91 located above the first insertion portion 71, causing torsional deformation in the first bridge portion 91. Due to this torsional deformation of the first bridge portion 91, the surface of the first bridge portion 91 located on the front wall portion 11 side faces the upper side of the pouch container 1A, and the surface of the first bridge portion 91 located on the rear wall portion 12 side faces the lower side of the pouch container 1A.

[0045] In this way, the second handle portion 82 and the first handle portion 81 are grasped by the fingers inserted through the second insertion portion 72 and the first insertion portion 71.

[0046] Next, pouch container 1A is lifted with the hand that is holding second handle portion 82 and first handle portion 81, and pouch container 1A is then tilted with that hand, causing the contents to be poured out from pouring portion 42 of spout 40.

[0047] At this time, the weight of the pouch container 1A and the contents contained therein is applied to the hand holding the pouch container 1A. More specifically, the load is applied to the index finger inserted into the second insertion portion 72 via the second bridge portion 92 located above the second insertion portion 72, and is also applied to the ring finger inserted into the first insertion portion 71 via the first bridge portion 91 located above the first insertion portion 71.

[0048] Here, in the pouch container 1A of this embodiment, as described above, the upper end of the second bridge portion 92 is defined by a first portion CL3a of the third cut line CL3 extending along the width direction of the body portion 10, and a second portion CL3b extending upward from both ends of the first portion CL3a (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0049] Therefore, the second portion CL3b extending along the direction in which the load is applied (i.e., the axial direction of the body 10) promotes torsional deformation of the second bridge portion 92, causing the second bridge portion 92 to bend significantly to fit the index finger inserted into the second insertion portion 72. This increases the contact area between the second bridge portion 92 and the index finger, significantly reducing the burden on the index finger.

[0050] Furthermore, in the pouch container 1A of this embodiment, as described above, the upper end of the first bridge portion 91 is defined by a first portion CL2a of the second cut line CL2 extending along the width direction of the body portion 10, and a second portion CL2b extending upward from both ends of the first portion CL2a (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0051] Therefore, the second portion CL2b extending along the direction in which the load is applied (i.e., the axial direction of the body 10) promotes torsional deformation of the first bridge portion 91, causing the first bridge portion 91 to bend significantly to fit the ring finger inserted into the first insertion portion 71. This increases the contact area between the first bridge portion 91 and the ring finger, significantly reducing the burden on the ring finger.

[0052] Therefore, by configuring it in this manner, in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted, it is possible to reduce the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion.

[0053] Furthermore, in the pouch container 1A of this embodiment, as described above, the second bridge portion 92 includes a first bulge portion 92a at its end on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction of the body portion 10, and a second bulge portion 92b at its end on the third insertion portion 73 side in the axial direction, and the first bridge portion 91 includes a first bulge portion 91a at its end on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction of the body portion 10, and a second bulge portion 91b at its end on the second insertion portion 72 side in the axial direction.

[0054] In this configuration, compared to a pouch container that does not include the first bulging portions 92a, 91a and the second bulging portions 92b, 91b, the second bridge portion 92 and the first bridge portion 91 are larger by the amount of the first bulging portions 92a, 91a and the second bulging portions 92b, 91b, and therefore the contact area between the second bridge portion 92 and the index finger and the contact area between the first bridge portion 91 and the ring finger are further increased. Therefore, in this respect as well, the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0055] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, when fingers are inserted through the second insertion portion 72 and the first insertion portion 71, the index finger and ring finger come into contact with the first bulge portions 92a, 91a, and these first bulge portions 92a, 91a function as guides that encourage the second bridge portion 92 and the first bridge portion 91 to twist and deform as intended (i.e., the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the front wall portion 11 side and the surface of the first bridge portion 91 located on the front wall portion 11 side each face toward the upward side of the pouch container 1A, and the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the rear wall portion 12 side and the surface of the first bridge portion 91 located on the rear wall portion 12 side twist and deform so as to face toward the downward side of the pouch container 1A).

[0056] Furthermore, with this configuration, as described above, both end portions in the extension direction of the second bridge portion 92 and the first bridge portion 91 are configured to be narrower in width than their central portions. Therefore, these end portions have a narrowed shape, and these end portions become the starting points of torsional deformation, thereby promoting torsional deformation of the second bridge portion 92 and the first bridge portion 91. Therefore, in this respect as well, torsional deformation of the second bridge portion 92 and the first bridge portion 91 is promoted, and the burden on the finger inserted in the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0057] Here, unlike the pouch container 1A according to the present embodiment, in a pouch container in which the rigidity near the insertion portion is reduced by providing only an unsealed portion above the insertion portion, when a finger is inserted into the insertion portion, the portion located above the insertion portion bends along the finger in a twisting manner, thereby reducing the strain on the finger. However, with this configuration, depending on the material and thickness of the sheet-like film member that constitutes the pouch container, the portion located above the insertion portion may not twist sufficiently, which may result in an unacceptable strain on the finger inserted into the insertion portion.

[0058] In this regard, in the pouch container 1A of this embodiment, as described above, not only is torsional deformation of the first bridge portion 91 promoted because a portion of the upper end of the first bridge portion 91 is defined by the first portion CL2a and the second portion CL2b of the second cut line CL2, but also the torsional deformation is promoted because both end portions in the extension direction of the first bridge portion 91 are configured to be narrower in width than the central portion, and further, the contact area between the first bridge portion 91 and the fingers is increased because the bridge portion 91 includes the first bulge portion 91a and the second bulge portion 91b.

[0059] Due to these synergistic effects, the pouch container 1A of this embodiment is less affected by the material and thickness of the sheet-like film material that makes up the pouch container than a pouch container that has only an unsealed portion above the insertion portion, making it possible to more reliably reduce the strain on the fingers.

[0060] On the other hand, when the pouch container 1A contains a considerable amount of contents, and the contents are to be poured out by gripping the pouch container 1A, the second handle portion 82 and the third handle portion 83 are gripped.

[0061] Specifically, first, the index finger and middle finger fold the third tongue portion 63 back toward its base, thereby inserting the index finger and middle finger into the third insertion portion 73, and then the ring finger and little finger fold the second tongue portion 62 back toward its base, thereby inserting the ring finger and little finger into the second insertion portion 72.

[0062] At this time, the ring finger comes into contact with the second bridge portion 92 located above the second insertion portion 72, causing torsional deformation in the second bridge portion 92. Due to this torsional deformation of the second bridge portion 92, the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the front wall portion 11 side faces the upper side of the pouch container 1A, and the surface of the second bridge portion 92 located on the rear wall portion 12 side faces the lower side of the pouch container 1A. Although no bridge portion is formed above the third insertion portion 73, the third cut line CL3 that defines the upper end of the third insertion portion 73 has a shape that bulges downward, and therefore torsion also occurs in this portion.

[0063] In this way, the third handle portion 83 and the second handle portion 82 are grasped by the fingers inserted through the third insertion portion 73 and the second insertion portion 72.

[0064] Next, pouch container 1A is lifted with the hand holding third handle portion 83 and second handle portion 82, and pouch container 1A is tilted with that hand, causing the contents to be poured out from pouring portion 42 of spout 40.

[0065] In this case, too, because the second bridge portion 92 is located above the second insertion portion 72, for the same reason as described above, the burden on the ring finger inserted into the second insertion portion 72 is reduced. Therefore, with the above configuration, even when the pouch container 1A contains a fairly large amount of contents, the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0066] In the pouch container 1A of this embodiment, although there is no bridge portion above the third insertion portion 73, as described above, the third cut line CL3 at the portion defining the upper end of the third insertion portion 73 has a shape that bulges downward, and therefore the burden on the index finger inserted into the third insertion portion 73 is also reduced accordingly.

[0067] Here, to more effectively reduce the burden on the index finger inserted through the third insertion portion 73, the characteristic configurations adopted in the pouch container 1B according to the second embodiment and pouch containers 1B1 to 1B3 according to first to third modified examples thereof, which will be described later, may be applied to the third insertion portion 73 of the pouch container 1A according to this embodiment and the portion above it.Furthermore, the characteristic configurations adopted in the pouch container 1C according to the third embodiment and pouch containers 1C1 to 1C3 according to fourth to sixth modified examples thereof, which will be described later, may also be applied to these portions.

[0068] In the pouch container 1A according to the present embodiment, the insertion portions 71, 72, bridge portions 91, 92, and second cut lines CL2, CL3, which enable the pouch container 1A to be gripped and reduce the strain on the fingers when gripping the pouch container 1A, can all be formed in a single cutting step. Therefore, by configuring the pouch container 1A in this manner, the structure of the pouch container 1A can be simplified, and as a result, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the pouch container 1A can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, in the pouch container 1A according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first tongue portion 61, the second tongue portion 62, and the third tongue portion 63 are arranged on the first edge portion 21 so that their bases are located on the outer side in the width direction of the body portion 10. With this configuration, when the pouch container 1A is used, the first tongue portion 61 etc. folded back by the fingers is located between the edge of the first tongue portion 61 etc. and the fingers, which prevents the edge from digging into the fingers and also reduces the burden on the fingers inserted into the insertion portion.

[0070] (Embodiment 2) 5 is a front view of a pouch container according to embodiment 2. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a pouch container 1B according to this embodiment will be described.

[0071] 5, the pouch container 1B according to the present embodiment differs in configuration from the pouch container 1A according to the first embodiment described above only in that an unsealed portion 100 is formed in the first edge portion 21. The unsealed portion 100 is formed by providing portions of the front wall portion 11 and the rear wall portion 12 that constitute the first edge portion 21 where they are not joined to each other.

[0072] Specifically, the unsealed portion 100 is positioned so as to include all of the portions where the multiple cut lines CL1 to CL3, the multiple tongue portions 61 to 63, the multiple insertion portions 71 to 73, and the first bridge portion 91 and the second bridge portion 92 are formed. The unsealed portion 100 extends in the axial direction of the body portion 10, with its upper end reaching above the third cut line CL3 and its lower end reaching below the first cut line CL1.

[0073] As a result, in the pouch container 1B, an unsealed portion 100 having lower rigidity than the first edge portion side seal portion 51 is formed at a pair of ends in the extension direction of each of the first bridge portion 91 and the second bridge portion 92.

[0074] In this configuration, because the first bridge portion 91 is formed in the unsealed portion 100, which has lower rigidity and is more easily deformed than the surrounding area, when a finger is inserted into the first insertion portion 71, the first bridge portion 91 undergoes greater twisting deformation and bends more significantly. This increases the contact area between the first bridge portion 91 and the finger inserted into the first insertion portion 71, significantly reducing the strain on the finger inserted into the first insertion portion 71. This effect is similarly achieved when a finger is inserted into the second insertion portion 72, depending on the relationship with the second bridge portion 92.

[0075] Therefore, by using the pouch container 1B of this embodiment, not only can the same effects as those described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 be obtained, but it is also possible to reduce the burden on the fingers inserted into the insertion portion.

[0076] In the pouch container 1B according to the present embodiment, as described above, the unsealed portion 100 is also formed above the third cut line CL3, and therefore, when a finger is inserted into the third insertion portion 73, twisting deformation of the unsealed portion 100 in the portion located above the third insertion portion 73 is promoted. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the burden on the finger inserted into the third insertion portion 73.

[0077] (First Modification) Fig. 6 is a front view of a pouch container according to Modification 1. Hereinafter, a pouch container 1B1 according to Modification 1 based on the above-mentioned Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the pouch-container 1B1 according to the first modified example differs from the pouch-container 1B according to the second embodiment described above only in the configuration of the unsealed portion 100.

[0079] Specifically, in the pouch container 1B1 of the first modified example, the unsealed portion 100 is formed in the first edge portion 21 so as to include the plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3, the plurality of tongue portions 61 to 63, the plurality of insertion portions 71 to 73, and the portions other than the outer ends in the width direction of the body portion 10 of each of the first bridge portion 91 and the second bridge portion 92.

[0080] As a result, in the pouch container 1B1, an unsealed portion 100 having lower rigidity than the first edge portion side seal portion 51 is formed at the end of a pair of ends in the extension direction of each of the first bridge portion 91 and the second bridge portion 92 that is located on the inside in the width direction of the body portion 10.

[0081] Even when configured in this manner, the same effects as those described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 can be obtained, and in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted, the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0082] When multiple cut lines CL1-CL3 are provided in the unsealed portion 100, the pair of sheet-like body film members located near these lines are not joined together, making these portions prone to unintended rolling up. In particular, when the pouch container 1B1 is transported, unintended rolling up of such film members is prone to occur near both inner and outer ends of each of the multiple cut lines CL1-CL3 in the width direction of the body portion 10.

[0083] In this regard, in the pouch container 1B1 according to this modification, the outer edge in the width direction of each of the plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3 is provided in the first edge seal portion 51 where the pair of sheet-like body film members are joined together. With this configuration, unintended rolling up at the edge can be effectively prevented.

[0084] (Second Modification) Fig. 7 is a front view of a pouch container according to a second modified example. Hereinafter, a pouch container 1B2 according to the second modified example based on the above-mentioned second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, a pouch container 1B2 according to the second modification is different from the pouch container 1B according to the second embodiment described above only in the configuration of the unsealed portion 100.

[0086] Specifically, in a pouch container 1B2 according to the second modification, the unsealed portion 100 includes a first unsealed portion 101, a second unsealed portion 102, and a third unsealed portion 103. The first unsealed portion 101 is formed in a portion of the first bridge portion 91 that includes a pair of ends in the direction in which the first bridge portion 91 extends, the second unsealed portion 102 is formed in a portion of the second bridge portion 92 that includes a pair of ends in the direction in which the second bridge portion 92 extends, and the third unsealed portion 103 is formed above a third cut line CL3. In addition, in the container 1B2, multiple cut lines CL1 to CL3 are provided in the first edge seal portion 51 where a pair of sheet-like body film members are joined together.

[0087] This configuration provides the same effects as those described in the above-described embodiments 1 and 2. Furthermore, compared to the pouch container 1B according to the above-described embodiment 2, unintended rolling up can be effectively prevented at both inner and outer ends of the body portion 10 in the width direction of each of the plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3.

[0088] (Third Modification) Fig. 8 is a front view of a pouch container according to a third modified example. Hereinafter, a pouch container 1B3 according to the third modified example based on the above-mentioned second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, a pouch container 1B3 according to the third modified example differs from the pouch container 1B according to the second embodiment described above only in the configuration of the unsealed portion 100.

[0090] Specifically, in the pouch container 1B3 according to the third modification, the unsealed portion 100 includes a first unsealed portion 101, a second unsealed portion 102, and a third unsealed portion 103. The first unsealed portion 101 is formed in the portion where the first bridge portion 91 is formed, the upper end of the first cut line CL1, and parts of the first portion CL2a and the second portion CL2b of the second cut line CL2. The second unsealed portion 102 is formed in the portion where the second bridge portion 92 is formed, the upper end of the second cut line CL2, and parts of the first portion CL3a and the second portion CL3b of the third cut line CL3, and the third unsealed portion 103 is formed in the upper end of the third cut line CL3 and above the third cut line CL3. As a result, in the pouch container 1B3, an unsealed portion 100 having lower rigidity than the first edge portion side seal portion 51 is formed at a pair of ends in the extension direction of each of the first bridge portion 91 and the second bridge portion 92.

[0091] When configured in this manner, not only can the same effects as those described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 be obtained, but it is also possible to further reduce the burden on the fingers inserted into the insertion portion compared to the pouch containers 1B1 and 1B2 of the first and second variants of the above-mentioned embodiment 2.

[0092] In addition, in the container 1B3 of the third modified example, most of the inner end and most of the outer end in the width direction of the body portion 10 of each of the multiple cut lines CL1 to CL3 are provided in the first edge portion side seal portion 51 where a pair of sheet-shaped body portion film members are joined together.

[0093] In this configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent unintended rolling up of most of the inner end portion and most of the outer end portion in the width direction of each of the plurality of cut lines CL1 to CL3.

[0094] (Embodiment 3) 9 is a front view of a pouch container according to embodiment 3. Hereinafter, a pouch container 1C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, the pouch-container 1C according to this embodiment differs from the pouch-container 1A according to the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the first edge portion 21.

[0096] Specifically, the first edge portion side seal portion 51 of the first edge portion 21 of the pouch container 1C of embodiment 3 is provided with only a first insertion portion 71 formed by providing a first cut line CL1, a second cut line CL2 consisting only of a first portion CL2a and a pair of second portions CL2b, and a first bridge portion 91 formed to be positioned between the first insertion portion 71 and the second cut line CL2.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first bridge portion 91 does not include the first bulging portion 91a and the second bulging portion 91b described above.

[0098] When configured in this manner, compared to the pouch container 1A described in embodiment 1, the effect of increasing the contact area between the first bridge portion 91 and the finger inserted into the first insertion portion 71 is not obtained due to the absence of the first bulge portion 91a and the second bulge portion 91b, but the same effect as that described in embodiment 1 above is obtained, and in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted, the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0099] (Fourth to Sixth Modifications) 10(A) to 10(C) are enlarged front views of corners of pouch containers according to fourth to sixth modified examples, respectively. Pouch containers 1C1 to 1C3 according to fourth to sixth modified examples based on the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 10, the pouch containers 1C1 to 1C3 according to the fourth to sixth modified examples differ from the pouch container 1C according to the third embodiment described above only in the configuration of the first bridge portion 91.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10(A), in the pouch container 1C1 of the fourth modified example, the first bridge portion includes a second bulge portion 91b at the end portion on the second cut line CL2 side in the axial direction of the body portion 10, but does not include a bulge portion at the end portion on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction.

[0102] As shown in Figure 10(B), in the pouch container 1C2 of the fifth modified example, the first bridge portion includes a first bulge portion 91a at the end portion on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction of the body portion 10, but does not include a bulge portion at the end portion on the second cut line CL2 side in the axial direction.

[0103] As shown in Figure 10(C), in the pouch container 1C3 of the sixth modified example, the first bridge portion includes a first bulge portion 91a at the end portion on the first insertion portion 71 side in the axial direction of the body portion 10, and further includes a second bulge portion 91b at the end portion on the second cut line CL2 side in the axial direction.

[0104] Even when configured in this manner, the same effect as that described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 can be obtained, and in a pouch container in which a handle portion is formed by providing an insertion portion through which a finger can be inserted, the burden on the finger inserted into the insertion portion can be reduced.

[0105] (Other forms, etc.) The pouch containers according to the embodiments and modifications described above can significantly reduce the amount of resin used compared to containers made of resin molded products. Furthermore, the pouch containers according to the embodiments and modifications described above can be folded after use by releasing the gas from the storage space, and therefore can be disposed of after reducing the volume, compared to containers made of resin molded products.

[0106] Here, in the above-mentioned embodiments and their modified examples, an example has been given in which the insertion portion is formed by folding back the tongue portion provided on the edge portion, but the insertion portion is not limited to being formed by folding back the tongue portion, and may be constituted, for example, by a through hole.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, an example has been given in which two fingers are inserted into the insertion portion, but the number of fingers that can be inserted into the insertion portion is not particularly limited, and the size of the insertion portion may be changed as appropriate depending on the number of fingers to be inserted.

[0108] The shape, configuration, size, number, material, etc. of each part shown in the above-described embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0109] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations shown in the above-described embodiments of the present invention and their modifications can naturally be combined with each other within the scope of the present invention.

[0110] As such, the above-described embodiments and their modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A to 1C, 1B1 to 1B3, 1C1 to 1C3 Pouch container, 10 Body portion, 10a Storage space, 11 Front wall portion, 12 Rear wall portion, 13 Inlet, 20 Edge portion, 21 First edge portion, 22 Second edge portion, 30 Bottom crotch portion, 40 Spout, 41 Base portion, 42 Spout portion, 43 Cap, 51 First edge portion seal portion, 52 Second edge portion seal portion, 53 First bottom crotch portion seal portion, 54 Second bottom crotch portion seal portion, 55 Top end portion seal portion, 61 First tongue portion, 62 Second tongue portion, 63 Third tongue portion, 71 First insertion portion, 72 Second insertion portion, 73 Third insertion portion, 81 First handle portion, 82 Second handle portion, 83 Third handle portion, 91 First bridge portion, 91a First bulge portion, 91b Second bulge portion, 92 Second bridge portion, 92a First bulge portion, 92b Second bulge portion, 100 Unsealed portion, 101 First unsealed portion, 102 Second unsealed portion, 103 Third unsealed portion, CL1 First cut line, CL2 Second cut line, CL2a First portion, CL2b Second portion, CL3 Third cut line, CL3a First portion, CL3b Second portion.

Claims

1. A pouch container having a storage space for storing contents provided inside a body portion, Sheet-like front and rear wall portions that constitute the body portion; an edge portion formed by overlapping an edge portion of the front wall portion and an edge portion of the rear wall portion, the edge portion has a seal portion formed by joining the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and a handle portion formed by providing an insertion portion at the edge portion through which a finger can be inserted, a cut line including a first portion extending along the width direction of the body portion is provided on the edge portion of the portion located above the insertion portion; the edge portion includes a bridge portion formed by providing the insertion portion and the cut line on the edge portion, The cut line further includes second portions extending upward from both ends of the first portion, A pouch container, wherein at least one of a pair of ends of the bridge portion in the axial direction of the body portion, which is a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the body portion, includes a bulging portion that bulges in a direction away from the other end.

2. A pouch container as described in claim 1, wherein the bulge portion is provided on both of a pair of ends of the bridge portion in the axial direction of the body portion.

3. Further provided with a pouring section capable of pouring the contents from the storage space, a bottom gusset portion is provided at one end of the pouch container in the axial direction of the body portion, The edge portion has a first edge portion and a second edge portion that face each other in a width direction of the body portion, the insertion portion and the cut line are provided on the first edge portion, The pouring portion is provided on the second edge portion, 3. The pouch container according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is inclined so as to approach the bottom gusset portion from the first edge portion toward the second edge portion in the width direction of the body portion.

4. 4. The pouch container according to claim 1, wherein an unsealed portion where the front wall portion and the rear wall portion are not joined is formed in at least one of a pair of ends in the extending direction of the bridge portion.

5. an additional insertion portion is provided on the edge portion of the portion located above the insertion portion; The pouch container according to claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the additional insertion portion is defined by the cut line.

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