Spout with squeeze nozzle

Abstract

To provide a spout provided with a diaphragm opening to which a conventional spout cap can be attached in use as it is, without being required for replacing a cap with a mouth of the spout; capable of finely squeezing a squeezed cream with a track thereof; and capable of erecting squeezing protrusions while the cream during squeezing completion is tapered straight, according to the present invention.SOLUTION: According to the present invention relating to a spout attached to an opening of a pouch container 3 via heat welding, the spout that is a spout 1 provided with a diaphragm opening comprises a cylindrical part body 1a and a heat welding part 1b welded to the opening, that is located on a lower end side of the cylindrical part body 1a. The diaphragm opening 1e protruding upward while being tapered is molded on an inner side of the cylindrical part body 1a. A notch opening part 1f that is opened is formed at an upper end of the diaphragm opening 1e. A protrusion height of a tip of the diaphragm opening 1e, that is lower than height of a mouth 1c of the cylindrical part body 1a is formed in a state of being stored inside the cylindrical part body 1a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout with a constricting nozzle, such as a star shape, integrally molded near the mouth of the spout of a pouch container. [Background technology]

[0002] Whipped cream is sold as a decoration for cakes, jellies, and the like. Among the commercially available whipped cream packages available for consumer consumption are those in which pre-whipped cream is placed in a funnel-shaped package, which is then frozen and shipped. For example, there is the whipped cream package described in Patent Document 1. The whipped cream package disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a funnel-shaped plastic bag sealed with whipped cream inside, and a squeezing nozzle with a similar slope to the tapered portion of the bag built into the inner surface near the opening of the bag.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a non-open spout with a piping tip, which comprises a base to which a film sheet used for packaging is welded, a hollow cylinder erected on the base, a lid provided at the top of the cylinder, and a spout with a groove provided between the cylinder and the lid, an opening inside the spout, and a nozzle having a base part at the bottom to prevent it from coming off.The non-open spout with a piping tip is protected by a cap to prevent fresh cream or the like from leaking out from the nozzle part of a piping bag used to make decorated cakes or the like.

[0004] Furthermore, as an example of the use of the pouch container described in Patent Document 3, a pouch container is disclosed that can be used as a piping bag by attaching a nozzle with a star-shaped slit, for example, to the mouth of the nozzle member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-43366 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-147549 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-154753 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When using the whipped cream package of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cut the vicinity of the opening along the cutting line using scissors or the like, which requires the preparation of a separate cutting tool such as scissors. Also, because the opening of the package is cut with scissors or the like, the remaining whipped cream after use cannot be resealed and stored, and it is necessary to use it up, discard the remaining amount, or store it in a different packaging container.

[0007] Therefore, a non-open-type spout with a nozzle has been proposed, as disclosed in Patent Document 2. The procedure for using the spout involves applying force to the lid, which is integrally molded with the cylinder, to break the groove and expose the opening. The base of the nozzle is then pushed up, and the protruding portion is fitted into the base of the spout, abutting the base, and the opening of the nozzle is then protruded from the opening of the spout. Furthermore, if the decoration work is interrupted midway, the tip of the nozzle is pushed back into the spout, and when the decoration work is resumed, the lid must be removed and the base of the nozzle must be pushed up again, which requires the effort of inserting and removing the nozzle. Furthermore, if the nozzle is pushed in too far, the nozzle may fall out into the package containing the contents. In addition, if the contents stick to the outer surface of the nozzle or if contents such as whipped cream get into the gap between the cylinder and the nozzle, the unwanted contents that spill out from the gap will be squeezed out, and the excess cream may stick around the traces of the cream that was originally squeezed out for decoration, resulting in an untidy trace of the squeezed cream.

[0008] Furthermore, in the pouch container described in Patent Document 3, the nozzle can be attached to the mouth of the mouthpiece to be used as a piping bag. However, when using it, it is necessary to prepare a nozzle, which is a separate part that can be attached to the mouthpiece. Moreover, there are many problems, such as the effort required to attach the nozzle to the mouthpiece, the fact that if there is any remaining cream or other contents after use, the nozzle cannot be attached without removing it first, and the fact that the nozzle must be washed and stored in a separate place after use, resulting in hassle and the risk of loss during storage.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a spout with a nozzle that does not require replacing the spout opening with a nozzle, nor does it require the manufacture of a new dedicated cap, as the conventional spout cap can be attached and used as is, and furthermore, leaves a clean trail of cream when squeezed out, and allows the cream to taper straight down and form a peak when squeezed out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The invention described in claim 1 is a spout that is heat-sealed to a pouch container formed from a plastic film into a bag shape, wherein the spout comprises a cylindrical body having an opening at its upper end and a welding portion at the lower end of the cylindrical body for heat-sealing to the film, and the inner wall of the cylindrical body has a constricted opening that tapers upward and protrudes, with the protruding tip having an open notched opening. The lower end side of the throttle opening and the inner wall of the tube main body are connected by a connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a donut-shaped horizontal surface, The spout is a spout with a spout formed so that the spout does not protrude outward from the mouth portion and is housed inside the tubular main body.

[0011] Claim 2 to The described invention is a spout with a constricted spout, the angle of inclination of the protruding constricted spout being between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane of the connecting part.

[0012] Claim 3 The described invention is a spout with a constricted opening, in which the inner diameter of the upper end side of the cut opening and the inner diameter of the lower end side of the cut opening are the same inner diameter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] To provide a spout with a squeezing tip which does not require the attachment of a nozzle as a separate part to the spout opening, does not require the manufacture of a new dedicated cap, and can be used by simply attaching a conventional cap for the spout, leaves a clean trace of squeezed cream, and allows the cream to be squeezed into a straight tapered horn after squeezing to stand up. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spout with a constricted nozzle according to the present invention, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the state of FIG. 1 as seen from directly above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where FIG. 2 is cut along the line AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where FIG. 2 is cut along the line BB. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spout with a constricted nozzle and a cap of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cap is attached to a spout with a constricted nozzle of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the state of FIG. 6 as viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which FIG. 7 is cut along the line CC. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an image of the spout with a squeezing tip of the present invention welded to a pouch container. [Figure 10] Fig. 2 is an image of the spout with a squeezing tip of the present invention welded to a pouch container. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a nozzle auxiliary jig that can be attached to a filling nozzle. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 11 viewed from directly above. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which FIG. 12 is cut along the line DD. [Figure 14]12 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle auxiliary jig shown in FIG. 11 attached to the nozzle of a filling machine. FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view showing operation 1 of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing operation 2 in which the filling machine nozzle is lowered from the state shown in FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing operation 3 in which the filling machine nozzle is further lowered from the state shown in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a mold layout diagram showing a case in which a narrowing nozzle is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical main body without providing a connecting portion. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a mold layout diagram of a spout with a narrowed nozzle according to the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing a part of the facility equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the spout 1 with a squeezing tip of the present invention can be attached by heat welding to the opening of a pouch container 3, 31, which is made by forming a plastic film sheet into a bag shape. As shown in Figure 1, the spout 1 with a squeezing tip comprises a cylindrical tubular body 1a and a welding portion 1b, which is integrally formed at the lower end of the tubular body 1a and heat-welds the film sheet of the pouch container 3, 31 to the body. The upper end of the tubular body 1a forms an open mouth 1c, and a threaded portion 1g is formed by protruding spirally from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tubular body 1a so that the mouth 1c can be sealed with a cap. It is also possible to eliminate the protrusion of the threaded portion 1g and provide a drainage slit 1h in the threaded portion 1g, which serves as a vertical passageway. Alternatively, instead of providing the screw portion 1g, a protrusion 1i protruding outward may be provided between the tubular main body 1a and the welded portion 1b, and the protrusion 1i and a protruding rib (not shown) formed on the inner wall of the cap may be fitted together by tapping the cap to form a seal.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a top view of the spout with a squeezing nozzle 1 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction AA shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction BB shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, a squeezing nozzle 1e is formed near the inner wall surface of the tube main body 1a below the mouth 1c, and protrudes in a cylindrical shape while tapering obliquely upward toward the central axis of the tube main body 1a. A donut-shaped connecting portion 1d is formed between the inner wall surface of the tube main body 1a and the lower end of the squeezing nozzle 1e, forming a horizontal plane along the circumference of the inner wall surface of the tube main body 1a. The inner wall surface of the tube main body 1a and the lower end of the squeezing nozzle 1e are connected and linked by the connecting portion 1d.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the angle of inclination a of the squeezing tip 1e is between 15 and 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane of the connecting part 1d. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the tip of the squeezing tip 1e forms an open cutout 1f, and the open peripheral wall of the cutout 1f has a cylindrical surface like a cut-out of a cylinder. That is, the inner diameter of the cutout 1f on the upper end 1fa side and the inner diameter of the cutout 1f on the lower end 1fb side are formed to be the same shape. This allows the contents, such as whipped cream, contained in the pouch container to be squeezed out and discharged in a cylindrical shape while maintaining the shape of the cutout 1f, ensuring that the squeezed cream leaves no trace of residue.

[0018] Furthermore, when squeezing is finished, by swinging the nozzle 1c straight down, the cream can be squeezed into a straight tapered peak. Although the inclination angle a has been described as being between 15 degrees and 75 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane of the connecting part 1d, it is better to set the inclination angle a between 35 degrees and 55 degrees, which will allow for a more stable and beautiful peak to be squeezed into a straight peak.

[0019] Furthermore, the shape of the notched opening 1f can be a star shape as shown in Figure 2, or a round or flower shape, although these are not shown, and the same squeezing and spiking effects can be achieved. As a result, by preparing and using multiple pouch containers 3 and 31 with spouts 1 of the present invention, each with a different shape of the notched opening 1f, it is possible to increase the variety of patterns that can be squeezed out of contents such as whipped cream, and to carry out various decorative decorations.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the state of the spout 1 with a constricted opening of the present invention before the cap 2 is attached, and Figures 6 to 8 show the state of the spout 1 with a constricted opening of the present invention with the cap 2 attached. Figure 7 is a top view of the state in Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view cut in the CC direction of Figure 7. As shown in Figure 5 or Figure 8, the spout 1 with a constricted opening of the present invention is formed so that the tip of the constricted opening 1e does not protrude outward from the opening 1c. That is, when the spout 1 with a constricted opening of the present invention is sealed with the cap 2, the constricted opening 1e is formed to be housed inside the cylindrical body 1a so that the tip of the constricted opening 1e does not come into contact with the back surface of the top plate 2a of the cap 2. As a result, there is no need to manufacture a mold for a dedicated cap to fit over the spout 1 with a constricted opening, and conventional spout caps can be used as is, thereby reducing mold manufacturing costs.

[0021] Next, we will explain how to fill pouch containers 3 and 31, to which the spout 1 with a nozzle of the present invention is attached, with contents such as whipped cream. First, as shown in Figure 9, when the spout 1 with a nozzle is heat-sealed to the angled pouch container 3, a portion of the film sheet on the upper end side of the angled pouch container 3 is not sealed and is open. Therefore, this open portion becomes the filling port 3a, and the contents can be filled by inserting the filling nozzle of the filling machine into the filling port 3a.

[0022] The pouch container 31 in Fig. 10 has a different shape from the oblique pouch container 3 shown in Fig. 9. The pouch container 31 shown in Fig. 10 does not have a filling opening on the pouch container 31 side, but is of a type in which the filling opening is made from the mouth 1c of the spout. The spout 1 with a cone nozzle of the present invention has an opening diameter that is large enough to allow a thin cylindrical nozzle, such as a filling nozzle of a filling machine, to be inserted through the cut opening 1f so that filling can be made from the mouth of the spout as well, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0023] However, if the insertion position of the filling nozzle is slightly misaligned due to the shape of the cut opening 1f or the insertion method of the filling nozzle, it is possible that a part of the tip of the constricted tip 1e will collide with a part of the filling nozzle, resulting in a part of the tip of the constricted tip 1e being crushed. Therefore, we provide a nozzle auxiliary jig for filling through the cut opening 1f for the constricted tip spout 1 of the present invention. The nozzle auxiliary jig 4 shown in Figures 11 to 13 can be attached to the tip of the filling nozzle of a filling machine, as shown in Figure 14.

[0024] Next, we will explain the nozzle auxiliary jig 4. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 has a jig body 4a with a substantially hemispherical side wall surface, and a cylindrical nozzle insertion port 4b formed along the central axis of the jig body 4a, into which the tip of the filling nozzle 5a can be inserted and set. Figure 12 is a top view of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 of Figure 11, and Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 of Figure 12, cut in the direction D-D. Also, Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 attached to the filling nozzle 5a.

[0025] When the stuffing nozzle 5a with the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 attached descends from the state shown in Figure 15 and enters the mouth portion 1c, as shown in Figure 16, a part of the side wall surface that protrudes most outward of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 comes into contact with a part of the inner wall surface of the mouth portion 1c, thereby adjusting the position of the insertion location.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, when the filling nozzle 5a is lowered, the bottom surface of the jig leg 4c formed at the lower end of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 rests on the connecting portion 1d, thereby holding the filling nozzle 5a at the center position of the opening 1c. This prevents the tip of the filling nozzle 5a from interfering with the tip of the constricting nozzle 1e, allowing the contents to be filled through the cut opening 1f. The nozzle auxiliary jig 4 is preferably made from a soft, elastic resin material such as rubber or elastomer. Note that the shape of the nozzle auxiliary jig 4 introduced here is merely an example, and other nozzle auxiliary jigs may be used.

[0027] In this way, various variations of pouch containers 3, 31 can be provided to which the spout with a squeezing nozzle 1 of the present invention is welded so that users can freely select depending on the shape and size of the cut opening 1f. Furthermore, with pouch containers 3, 31 equipped with the spout with a squeezing nozzle 1 of the present invention, there is no need to use up all the contents; if any contents remain, they can be sealed with the cap 2 and stored in a refrigerator for repeated use.

[0028] Next, the mold structure will be explained. The mold structure 61 in FIG. 19 is an image of a mold in which the connecting portion 1d is not provided and the nozzle is formed from the inner wall surface of the tubular main body 1a. As shown in FIG. 19, if there is a thinned portion at the end 61a of the mold, as injection molding is repeated, the end 61a will no longer be able to withstand the clamping force and will become more susceptible to breakage. However, FIG. 18 shows a mold structure 6 for the shape of the nozzle spout 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, if the shape of the nozzle spout of the present invention is used, the mold end 6a does not need to be sharpened or thinned in part. This allows for a mold structure 6 with good durability, and as a result, a product can be provided that can reduce production costs.

[0029] Furthermore, the spout 1 with a constricted opening of the present invention may be provided with a flange portion 1j and clamping plates 1k as shown in Figure 1. The flange portion 1j is a plate-shaped flange that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical body 1a, further below the projection 1i. The clamping plates 1k are formed near the back surface of the flange portion 1j and are arranged to clamp the sides of the cylindrical body 1a in a pair at positions parallel to each other.

[0030] The roles of the flange portion 1j and the clamping plate 1k are as follows: When filling the contents using the equipment 5 shown in Figure 20, the clamping plate 1k, which is sandwiched between the left and right sides of the cylindrical body 1a, is inserted along the U-shaped holder 5b. This causes the flange portion 1j to catch within the U-shaped holder 5b, resulting in the pouch container 31 hanging down. From this state, the filling nozzle 5a can be inserted into the notched opening 1f to begin filling the contents.

[0031] The contents to be filled into the pouch containers 3, 31 fitted with the spout 1 with a piping nozzle of the present invention are whipped cream, chocolate cream, etc., and can be used to decorate cakes, jellies, etc. by squeezing out whipped cream, chocolate cream, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Spout with narrow opening 1a Main body of the cylindrical section 1b Welded area 1c Mouth 1d connection part 1e Nozzle 1f notch opening 1fa Upper end of cut-out opening 1fb Lower end of cut opening 1g Screw part 1h drainage slit 1i Protrusion 1j brim 1k clamping plate 2 caps 3 Pouch container 31 Pouch container 3a Filling port 4 Nozzle auxiliary jig 4a Jig body 4b Nozzle socket 4c Jig leg 5 Equipment 5a Filling nozzle 5b holder 6 Mold structure 6a end 61 Mold structure 61a End

Claims

1. A spout that is heat-sealed to a pouch container formed from a plastic film into a bag shape, The spout comprises a cylindrical body having an opening at its upper end, The lower end of the cylindrical body consists of a welding portion that heat-welds to the film, The inner wall of the cylindrical body has a constricted opening that tapers upward and protrudes, with the protruding tip having an open notched opening. The lower end of the constriction opening and the inner wall of the cylindrical body are connected by a connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a donut-shaped horizontal surface. A spout with a constricted opening, characterized in that the constricted opening is formed in a state where it is housed inside the cylindrical body without protruding outward from the opening.

2. The spout with a constricted opening according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the protruding constricted opening is 15 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane of the connecting portion.

3. The spout with a constricted opening according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner diameter at the upper end of the cut-out opening and the inner diameter at the lower end of the cut-out opening are the same.

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