Pouch

Abstract

This pouch (1) comprises a packaging bag (100) including a front face sheet (101), a rear face sheet, a bottom face sheet, and a top face sheet (104), and a spout (200). The packaging bag (100) has a pair of side seal parts (110, 120), a front-side bottom seal part (130), a rear-side bottom seal part, a front-side top seal part (150), and a rear-side top seal part (160). At least one among the pair of side seal parts (110, 120) includes a side enclosing part (112) in which a gas is enclosed and which has a shape extending in the height direction. At least one among the front-side top seal part (150) and the rear-side top seal part (160) includes a top enclosing part (152, 162) in which a gas is enclosed and which has a shape extending in the width direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Pouches with high self-standing properties have been known in the past. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2015-9847 discloses a pouch including a first side film, a second side film, a bottom film, and a pouring portion. The storage portion is formed by sealing the peripheral portions between the films that are in contact with each other. A gas inlet portion having a shape extending in the vertical direction is formed on the side edge of the pouch. The gas inlet portion increases the rigidity of the side edge, thereby improving the self-standing stability of the pouch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-9847 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a pouch such as that described in JP 2015-9847 A, a top sheet may be added to ensure a large volume for the storage section that stores the contents. If a spout is fixed to this top sheet, for example, if the top sheet folds when the contents are being poured, it becomes difficult to pour the contents.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pouch that can prevent folding of the top sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pouch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a packaging bag including a top sheet, a back sheet, a bottom sheet, and a top sheet, capable of containing contents, and a spout fixed to the top sheet for pouring the contents from the packaging bag, wherein the packaging bag is formed by sealing together ends of the top sheet and the back sheet in the width direction, and comprises a pair of side seal portions having a shape extending in the height direction, a front-side bottom seal portion formed by sealing together the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a spout fixed to the top sheet and the back sheet in the width direction. a backside bottom seal portion formed by sealing the top sheet and the top sheet together, a front top seal portion formed by sealing the top sheet and the top sheet together, and a backside top seal portion formed by sealing the back sheet and the top sheet together, wherein at least one of the pair of side seal portions includes a side encapsulation portion in which gas is sealed and which has a shape extending in the height direction, and at least one of the front top seal portion and the backside top seal portion includes a top encapsulation portion in which gas is sealed and which has a shape extending in the width direction.

[0007] This pouch has a bottom sheet and a top sheet, which ensures the volume of the packaging bag, and because it has a top sealing section, folding of the top sheet is prevented when the contents are poured from the spout or during transportation.

[0008] It is also preferable that the spout is fixed to a portion of the top sheet that is spaced apart from the top encapsulation portion in the width direction.

[0009] In this embodiment, the top encapsulation portion does not increase the rigidity of the areas of the top sheet, surface sheet, and back sheet near the spout too much, making it easier to grasp the spout via the surface sheet and back sheet when opening and closing the spout.

[0010] It is also preferable that the side encapsulation portion has a pillar portion extending in the height direction and a protrusion portion having a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction from the pillar portion.

[0011] In this way, when grasping the side seals to pour out the contents, the gripper can hook his / her fingers on the protruding portion, allowing for stable pouring. Furthermore, by forming wrinkles in the areas of the top sheet and back sheet near the protruding portion, the side seal opposite the one having the protruding portion is effectively prevented from folding inward.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the inner edge of the top sealing portion in the depth direction has a shape that gradually approaches a top sealing portion that is different from the top sealing portion including the top sealing portion, among the front top sealing portion and the back top sealing portion, as it moves away from the spout.

[0013] In this way, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the top sheet in the depth direction (the direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the height direction) while ensuring the volume of the top enclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the side encapsulation portion and the top encapsulation portion include a communicating portion that communicates with each other, and that the cross-sectional area of ​​the end portion of the side encapsulation portion facing the communicating portion and the cross-sectional area of ​​the end portion of the top encapsulation portion facing the communicating portion gradually become smaller as they approach the communicating portion.

[0015] In this embodiment, gas can be sealed into all of the sealed portions in a single sealing step, and further, the function of increasing the rigidity of the boundary portions is suppressed by each sealed portion, which promotes the expansion of the top sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a pouch can be provided that can prevent folding of the top sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a front view of a pouch with no contents contained therein and the top sheet folded at the top end of the side seal portion. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the process of sealing the top sheet, back sheet and bottom sheet together. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a process of opening the top of the top sheet and the top of the back sheet. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a process of placing a top sheet on top of a top sheet and a back sheet. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a process of sealing the top sheet, back sheet, and top sheet together. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating steps for forming each encapsulation portion. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a process of cutting off unnecessary portions of the surface sheet, the back sheet, and the top sheet. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first modified example of the pouch. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a first modified example of a pouch in which no contents are contained and the top sheet is folded at the upper end of the side seal portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second modified example of the pouch. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a second modified example of a pouch in which no contents are contained and the top sheet is folded at the upper end of the side seal portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0019] 1 is a perspective view of a pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pouch 1 is suitable as a container for liquids, powders, flowable solids, and the like.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the pouch 1 includes a packaging bag 100 and a spout 200.

[0021] The packaging bag 100 is capable of containing contents. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging bag 100 includes a surface sheet 101, a back sheet 102, a bottom sheet 103, and a top sheet 104. Each of the sheets 101 to 104 is made of a laminate containing, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, nylon, and polyethylene. The packaging bag 100 is formed by sealing the peripheral edges of each of the sheets 101 to 104 together. Specifically, the packaging bag 100 has a pair of side seals 110, 120, a front bottom seal 130, a back bottom seal 140, a front top seal 150, and a back top seal 160. The areas inside each of the seals 110 to 160 of the packaging bag 100 form a storage area for storing contents. Various known methods can be used to seal between the sheets that make up the packaging bag 100 and at the portion where the spout 200 is fixed to the packaging bag 100, such as fusion by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high-frequency sealing, etc., or bonding with an adhesive.

[0022] The pair of side seal portions 110, 120 are formed by sealing together the end of the topsheet 101 and the end of the backsheet 102 in the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2). Of the pair of side seal portions 110, 120, the side seal portion formed at one end of the packaging bag 100 in the width direction is called the first side seal portion 110, and the side seal portion formed at the other end of the packaging bag 100 in the width direction is called the second side seal portion 120. Each side seal portion 110, 120 has a shape that extends in the height direction (up-down direction in FIG. 2).

[0023] The first side seal portion 110 includes a side encapsulation portion 112 that is filled with gas (e.g., air) and has a shape that extends in the height direction. The side encapsulation portion 112 has the function of increasing the bending rigidity of the first side seal portion 110. The side encapsulation portion 112 has a pillar portion 114 and a protrusion portion 116.

[0024] Pillar portion 114 has a shape that extends in the height direction. Pillar portion 114 is preferably formed in a straight line. However, the width of pillar portion 114 may be constant in the height direction, or may gradually increase from bottom to top, or may gradually decrease from bottom to top.

[0025] The protrusion 116 has a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction (to the left in FIG. 2 ) from the column portion 114. More specifically, the protrusion 116 has a shape that protrudes from the column portion 114 toward the storage portion that stores the contents. The inner end of the protrusion 116 in the width direction has a shape that curves so as to be convex inward in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the innermost end of the protrusion 116 is formed in a position that does not overlap with the top sheet 104 when the topsheet 101 is folded at the upper ends of the pair of side seal portions 110, 120. Note that the inner end of the protrusion 116 may have a shape that extends in the height direction (for example, the outer edge of the protrusion 116 has a U-shape). In this case, a portion (upper portion) of the inner end of the protrusion 116 may overlap with the top sheet 104.

[0026] The front bottom seal portion 130 is formed by sealing the top sheet 101 and the bottom sheet 103 together.

[0027] The back bottom seal portion 140 is formed by sealing the back sheet 102 and the bottom sheet 103 together.

[0028] The front top seal portion 150 is formed by sealing the surface sheet 101 and the top sheet 104 together.

[0029] The back top seal portion 160 is formed by sealing the back sheet 102 and the top sheet 104 together.

[0030] At least one of the front top seal portion 150 and the back top seal portion 160 includes a top enclosure portion that is filled with gas and has a shape that extends in the width direction. In this embodiment, both the front top seal portion 150 and the back top seal portion 160 include a top enclosure portion. Hereinafter, the top enclosure portion of the front top seal portion 150 will be referred to as the front top enclosure portion 152, and the top enclosure portion of the back top seal portion 160 will be referred to as the back top enclosure portion 162.

[0031] The front top encapsulation portion 152 has the function of increasing the bending rigidity of the front top seal portion 150. The front top encapsulation portion 152 has a front tapered region 153. The front tapered region 153 has a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it moves away from the first side seal portion 110 in the width direction. More specifically, the inner edge portion 153a (see FIG. 2) of the front tapered region 153 in the depth direction (a direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the height direction) has a shape that gradually points outward in the depth direction as it moves away from the first side seal portion 110. The edge portion 153a is formed in a straight line. However, this edge portion 153a may also be formed in a shape that is curved so as to be convex outward in the depth direction, for example. The outer edge 153b of the front tapered region 153 in the depth direction (see FIG. 2) has a shape that extends linearly (in the width direction) perpendicular to the depth direction. The tip of the front tapered region 153 is located on the opposite side of the center C of the storage section in the width direction from the side where the first side seal section 110 is located (the left side in FIG. 2). However, the tip of the front tapered region 153 may be located on the side where the first side seal section 110 is located from the center C of the storage section in the width direction, or it may be located on the center C.

[0032] The rear top encapsulation portion 162 has the function of increasing the bending rigidity of the rear top seal portion 160. The rear top encapsulation portion 162 is perpendicular to the depth direction and has a shape symmetrical to the front top encapsulation portion 152 with respect to a plane passing through the center of the top sheet 104 in the depth direction. That is, the rear top encapsulation portion 162 has a rear tapered region 163, and an inner edge 163a (see FIG. 2) of the rear tapered region 163 has a shape that gradually points outward in the depth direction as it moves away from the first side seal portion 110, and an outer edge 163b (see FIG. 2) of the rear tapered region 163 has a shape that extends linearly (in the width direction) perpendicular to the depth direction.

[0033] In other words, the portion of the top sheet 104 between the front top encapsulation portion 152 and the back top encapsulation portion 162 has a shape in which the length in the depth direction gradually decreases as it moves away from the spout 200 .

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the side encapsulation section 112, the front top encapsulation section 152, and the back top encapsulation section 162 include a communicating section 172 that communicates with each other. In other words, the side encapsulation section 112, the front top encapsulation section 152, and the back top encapsulation section 162 form a single space. The cross-sectional areas of the end 112a (see Figure 3) on the communicating section 172 side of the side encapsulation section 112, the end 152a on the communicating section 172 side of the front top encapsulation section 152, and the end 162a on the communicating section 172 side of the back top encapsulation section 162 gradually decrease toward the communicating section 172. As described above, the side encapsulation section 112 extending in the height direction, the front top encapsulation section 152 extending in the width direction, and the back top encapsulation section 162 extending in the width direction are connected via the narrow communication section 172. In other words, the space within the side encapsulation section 112 is bifurcated at the communication section 172 into the space within the front top encapsulation section 152 and the space within the back top encapsulation section 162.

[0035] The spout 200 is a portion for pouring the contents out of the packaging bag 100. The spout 200 has a pouring outlet. The spout 200 is fixed to the top sheet 104. In this embodiment, the spout 200 is fixed to a portion of the top sheet 104 that is spaced apart in the width direction from the front top encapsulation portion 152 and the back top encapsulation portion 162. A cap that closes the pouring outlet is attached to the outer periphery of the spout 200.

[0036] Next, a method for manufacturing the pouch 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8. This manufacturing method includes a first sealing step, an opening step, a top sheet placing step, a second sealing step, a point sealing step, a cutting step, an enclosing step, and a filling step.

[0037] In the first sealing step, the peripheral edges of the top sheet 101, back sheet 102, and bottom sheet 103 are sealed together as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the sealed areas are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0038] In the opening step, the upper portions of the pair of side seal portions 110, 120 of the top sheet 101 and the back sheet 102 are folded so as to open outward, as shown in Fig. 4. The upper portions of the top sheet 101 and the back sheet 102 may be folded so as to open outward with respect to each other as shown in Fig. 4, or only one of them may be opened by folding back 180 degrees.

[0039] In the top sheet placing step, as shown in FIG. 5, the top sheet 104 to which the spouts 200 are connected is placed on the top of the top sheet 101 and the top of the back sheet 102.

[0040] In the second sealing step, the peripheral edges of the top sheet 101, back sheet 102, and top sheet 104 are sealed together as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the sealed areas are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0041] In the point sealing process, as shown in Figure 7, both ends P1, P2 of the front top seal portion 150 and the back top seal portion 160 in the width direction and the intersection P3 between the inner edge of the front top seal portion 152 and the inner edge of the back top seal portion 162 are sealed. This process forms three seal portions (side seal portion 112, front top seal portion 152, and back top seal portion 162) that are connected to each other at the connecting portion 172. Note that in Figure 7, the sealed areas are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0042] In the cutting step, as shown in FIG. 8, unnecessary portions of the top sheet 101, the back sheet 102, and the top sheet 104 are cut away.

[0043] In the sealing process, a gas (air, etc.) is sealed in each of the sealed sections. In this embodiment, the side sealed sections 112, the front top sealed section 152, and the back top sealed section 162 are connected to each other, so that gas can be sealed in all of the sealed sections in a single sealing operation.

[0044] In the filling step, the contents are filled into the storage section of the packaging bag 100. For example, in the filling step, the contents are filled through the spout 200. The filling step may be performed after the sealing step or before the sealing step.

[0045] In this manner, pouch 1 is formed. Pouch 1 has bottom sheet 103 and top sheet 104, which ensures the volume of packaging bag 100, and also has front top enclosing portion 152 and back top enclosing portion 162, which prevents top sheet 104 from folding when the contents are poured from spout 200 or during transportation.

[0046] Furthermore, since spout 200 is fixed to a portion of top sheet 104 that is spaced apart in the width direction from front top portion encapsulation portion 152 and back top portion encapsulation portion 162, front top portion encapsulation portion 152 and back top portion encapsulation portion 162 prevent the rigidity of the portions of top sheet 104, surface sheet 101, and back sheet 102 near spout 200 from being excessively increased. This makes it easier to grip spout 200 via surface sheet 101 and back sheet 102 when opening or closing it.

[0047] Furthermore, since the side sealing portion 112 has a protrusion 116, when the first side seal portion 110 is gripped to pour out the contents, the gripper can hook his / her fingers on the protrusion 116, enabling stable pouring. Furthermore, wrinkles are formed in the areas of the top sheet 101 and the back sheet 102 near the protrusion 116, which effectively prevents the second side seal portion 120 from folding inward.

[0048] In addition, the portion of the top sheet 104 between the front top enclosure 152 and the back top enclosure 162 has a shape in which its length in the depth direction gradually decreases as it moves away from the spout 200, making it possible to avoid the top sheet 104 becoming larger in the depth direction while maintaining the volume of each top enclosure 152, 162.

[0049] Furthermore, the cross-sectional areas of the end 112a on the communicating portion 172 side of the side encapsulation portion 112, the end 152a on the communicating portion 172 side of the front top encapsulation portion 152, and the end 162a on the communicating portion 172 side of the back top encapsulation portion 162 gradually decrease toward the communicating portion 172, thereby suppressing the function of each encapsulation portion 112, 152, 162 in increasing the rigidity of the area near the communicating portion 172. This promotes the expansion of the top sheet 104. Furthermore, the area near the communicating portion 172 functions as a gripping portion, making it easier to grip the pouch 1.

[0050] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0051] For example, both the first side seal 110 and the second side seal 120 may have side encapsulations formed therein.

[0052] Also, for example, either one of the top encapsulation portion of the front top encapsulation portion 152 or the back top encapsulation portion 162 may be omitted. In this case, the inner edge of the top encapsulation portion in the depth direction is formed into a shape that gradually approaches a top seal portion different from the top seal portion including the top encapsulation portion, either the front top seal portion 150 or the back top seal portion 160, as it moves away from the spout 200.

[0053] 9 and 10, the spout 200 may be fixed to the center of the top sheet 104 in the width direction. In this case, the front top encapsulation portion 152 and the back top encapsulation portion 162 may be formed in a circular shape that surrounds the spout 200. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that all encapsulations are connected to each other.

[0054] Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner edge 153a of the front tapered region 153 and the inner edge 163a of the back tapered region 163 may have a shape that extends linearly perpendicular to the depth direction, and the outer edge 153b of the front tapered region 153 and the outer edge 163b of the back tapered region 163 may have a shape that gradually points outward in the depth direction as they move away from the spout 200. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 pouch, 100 packaging bag, 101 surface sheet, 102 back sheet, 103 bottom sheet, 104 top sheet, 110 first side seal portion, 112 side encapsulation portion, 112a end portion, 114 column portion, 116 protrusion portion, 120 second side seal portion, 130 front bottom seal portion, 140 back bottom seal portion, 150 front top seal portion, 152 front top encapsulation portion, 152a end portion, 153 front tapered region, 160 back top seal portion, 162 back top encapsulation portion, 162a end portion, 163 back tapered region, 172 communicating portion, 200 spout.

Claims

1. A packaging bag including a surface sheet, a back sheet, a bottom sheet, and a top sheet, capable of accommodating contents; a spout fixed to the top sheet for pouring the contents from the packaging bag; The packaging bag is a pair of side seal portions formed by sealing together the ends of the top sheet and the back sheet in the width direction and having a shape extending in the height direction; a front-side bottom seal portion formed by sealing the top sheet and the bottom sheet together; a back bottom seal formed by sealing the back sheet and the bottom sheet together; a front top seal portion formed by sealing the surface sheet and the top sheet together; a back top seal portion formed by sealing the back sheet and the top sheet together, At least one of the pair of side seal portions includes a side sealing portion that is filled with gas and has a shape that extends in a height direction, At least one of the front top seal portion and the back top seal portion includes a top seal portion that has a shape extending in the width direction and in which gas is sealed.

2. The pouch according to claim 1 , wherein the spout is fixed to a portion of the top sheet that is spaced apart from the top enclosing portion in the width direction.

3. The side encapsulation includes: A column portion extending in the height direction; The pouch according to claim 2 , further comprising a protrusion having a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction from the column portion.

4. A pouch as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner edge of the top sealing portion in the depth direction has a shape that gradually approaches a top seal portion of the front top seal portion and the back top seal portion that is different from the top seal portion that includes the top sealing portion as it moves away from the spout.

5. The side encapsulation portion and the top encapsulation portion include a communication portion that communicates with each other, A pouch as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the side sealing portion on the communicating portion side and the cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the top sealing portion on the communicating portion side gradually become smaller as they approach the communicating portion.

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