How to use a flexible container

Abstract

To provide a flexible container allowed to reduce the force required to fold a bottom onto a belly thereof.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, there is provided a flexible container comprising a mouth, a belly, and a bottom. The mouth is of a cylindrical portion having an opening end, the belly is provided to be adjacent to the mouth on a side more distant from the opening end than the mouth and greater in outer diameter than the mouth, and the bottom is configured to close a lower end of the belly. The belly has a flat shape in at least one part and, in the belly, a grooved rib is provided to reduce resistance when the bottom is folded onto the belly. The grooved rib extends in a manner becoming distant from the bottom as getting closer to a center in a lengthwise direction of the flat shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible container.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible container made of synthetic resin that extrudes and uses the contents stored in a flexible and deformable container body from a discharge port at the tip of the mouth part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the container of Patent Document 1, a bottom folding guide line is provided near the bottom, and by folding the bottom along the bottom folding guide line onto the front part or the back part, the contents accumulated inside the bottom are configured to be extruded toward the mouth part.

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the force required for folding the bottom may become large, and it is desired to reduce this force.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a flexible container capable of reducing the force required to fold the bottom onto the body part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention provides a flexible container comprising a mouth portion, a body portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the mouth portion is a cylindrical portion having an open end, the body portion is positioned adjacent to the mouth portion on a side further from the open end than the mouth portion and has a larger outer diameter than the mouth portion, the bottom portion is configured to close the lower end of the body portion, at least a part of the body portion is flattened, the body portion is provided with grooved ribs configured to reduce resistance when the bottom portion is folded over the body portion, and the grooved ribs extend away from the bottom portion as they approach the center in the longitudinal direction of the flattened portion.

[0008] In the flexible container of the present invention, the grooved ribs provided near the bottom extend away from the bottom as they approach the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape. In a flattened container, when folding the bottom over the body, the center of the longitudinal direction of the container is usually the most difficult to fold. Therefore, if grooved ribs are provided parallel to the bottom, as in the bottom folding guide line of Patent Document 1, a large force is required to fold the center of the longitudinal direction of the container. On the other hand, in the flexible container of the present invention, since the grooved ribs extend away from the bottom as they approach the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape, the force required to fold the center of the longitudinal direction of the container is reduced, and as a result, the force required to fold the bottom over the body is reduced.

[0009] The following are examples of various embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. Preferably, the flexible container described above is such that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first central plane, the groove ribs have an inclination angle of 5 to 45 degrees with respect to the contact surface of the bottom, where the plane passing through the central axis of the mouth and parallel to the shorter direction of the flattened shape is defined as the first central plane. Preferably, the flexible container described above is a flexible container in which the wall thickness of the container at the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at the height position of the groove rib closest to the bottom is 0.6 mm or more. Preferably, the flexible container described above is a flexible container in which, if E is the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at the height position H1 of the part of the groove rib closest to the bottom, and the central region is defined as being within a range of 0.3E from the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape, then the groove rib is not provided in the central region. Preferably, the flexible container described above is a flexible container in which, if E is the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at a height position H1 of the part of the groove rib closest to the bottom, and the area within 0.1E from the longitudinal end of the flattened shape is defined as the near-end region, then the groove rib has a portion provided in the near-end region. Preferably, the flexible container described above is a flexible container in which, with respect to the groove rib, the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at a height position H1 of the part closest to the bottom is E, and the groove rib is defined as a region near one end and a region near the other end, where the range from one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape is 0.1E, respectively, and the groove rib has a groove rib on one end provided in the region near one end and a groove rib on the other end provided in the region near the other end. Preferably, the flexible container is as described above, wherein, if the first central plane is defined as a plane passing through the central axis of the mouth and parallel to the shorter direction of the flattened shape, the groove ribs are provided symmetrically with respect to the first central plane. Preferably, the flexible container is as described above, wherein, if a plane passing through the central axis of the mouth and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape is defined as the second central plane, the groove ribs are provided symmetrically with respect to the second central plane. Preferably, the flexible container described above is a flexible container in which, if the total height of the body is H, then at a height of 0.5H from the bottom, the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container at the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape is R1, and the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container at the center of the short direction of the flattened shape is R2, and R2 / R1 is 0.01 to 0.30. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a flexible container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different directions. The dashed lines in the figures represent boundaries where the curvature of the surfaces constituting the surface shape changes. The same applies to the other figures. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a front view of container 1, and Figure 2B is an enlarged view of region D in Figure 2A. [Figure 3] Figures 3A to 3C are the AA section view, the BB section view (height position 0.5H), and the CC section view (height position 0.1H) from Figure 2A, respectively. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a right side view of container 1, and Figure 4B is an enlarged view of region B in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the bottom part 7 folded over the body part 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature constitutes an independent invention.

[0012] 1. Structure of the flexible container 1 As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the flexible container 1 of one embodiment of the present invention is a flexible container configured to allow the contents inside the container 1 to be extruded by pressing and elastically deforming the container 1. The contents inside the container 1 are not particularly limited, but the container 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that it can suppress the increase in the amount of contents remaining at the bottom of the container 1 that cannot be extruded when the viscosity of the contents is high, and this is of particular technical significance when containing high-viscosity contents.

[0013] Examples of contents include food and beverages such as ketchup and mayonnaise, toothpaste, and adhesives. The viscosity of the contents is, for example, 1000 mPa·s or more, preferably 1500 mPa·s or more, and more preferably 2000 mPa·s or more. This viscosity is, for example, between 1000 and 20000 mPa·s, preferably between 1500 and 3000 mPa·s, and specifically, for example, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 10000, and 20000 mPa·s, and may be within the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here or greater than or equal to either of them. In this specification, viscosity means the value measured at 23°C in accordance with JIS Z8803.

[0014] Container 1 can be formed from a thermoplastic resin such as polyolefin. Examples of polyolefins include low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and mixtures thereof. Container 1 may be a single-layer or multi-layer structure. In the case of a multi-layer structure, for example, a barrier layer made of EVOH may be sandwiched between polyolefin layers. Container 1 can be formed by blow molding. Blow molding is preferably done using a tubular (preferably cylindrical) parison (i.e., direct blow molding).

[0015] The container 1 comprises a mouth portion 5, a body portion 6, and a bottom portion 7. The mouth portion 5 is a cylindrical (preferably cylindrical) portion having an open end 5c. The mouth portion 5 is equipped with an engaging portion 5a to which a cap having a discharge port can be attached. If the cap is screw-type, the engaging portion 5a is, for example, a male screw portion 5a1, and if the cap is a press-fit type, it is, for example, an annular projection that protrudes in the circumferential direction.

[0016] The body portion 6 is disposed adjacent to the mouth portion 5 on a side farther from the opening end 5c than the mouth portion 5. The body portion 6 has a larger outer diameter than the mouth portion 5 (in this specification, the "outer diameter" means the circumscribed circle diameter when the cross-section is not circular). The body portion 6 is cylindrical, and the bottom portion 7 is provided at the lower end of the body portion 6 and closes the lower end of the body portion 6. The body portion 6 has a shoulder portion 6b whose outer diameter increases as it moves away from the mouth portion 5. Further, the body portion 6 includes a body main portion 6c on the bottom portion 7 side rather than the shoulder portion 6b. The body main portion 6c may taper from the mouth portion 5 side toward the bottom portion 7 or may taper from the bottom portion 7 side toward the mouth portion 5. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the body main portion 6c may be constant along the central axis C.

[0017] At least a part of the body portion 6 has a flat shape F, and it is preferable that a portion of the body portion 6 adjacent to the bottom portion 7 has the flat shape F. This makes it easier to extrude the contents from the container 1 by pressing the body portion 6. Preferably, the body main portion 6c has a flat shape, the shoulder portion 6b is circular at a position close to the mouth portion 5, and the flatness increases as it approaches the body main portion 6c. In the body main portion 6c, it is preferable that the flatness is substantially constant along the central axis C of the mouth portion 5.

[0018] The flatness is defined by Equation 1. As shown in FIG. 3B, the short-direction radius SR is the distance from the central axis C to the outer surface of the container at a portion P1 where the distance from the central axis C is minimized at the height position where the flatness is measured. The long-direction radius LR is the distance from the central axis C to the outer surface of the container on a straight line perpendicular to the straight line connecting the central axis C and the portion P1. The direction passing through the central axis C and the portion P1 is the short side direction SD of the flat shape F, and the direction perpendicular to the short side direction SD is the long side direction LD of the flat shape F. The left-right direction in FIG. 2 is the long side direction LD, and the left-right direction in FIG. 4 is the short side direction SD. In the present embodiment, the flat shape F is substantially elliptical, but it may be another flat shape such as an oval shape. (Equation 1) Flatness = Long-direction radius LR / Short-direction radius SR in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis C of the mouth portion 5

[0019] The flatness may be constant or variable along the central axis C. The maximum flatness (the flatness at the site where the flatness is maximum) is, for example, 1.2 to 6, and preferably 1.5 to 5. This value is, for example, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and may also be within the range between any two of the numerically illustrated values here.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the body portion 6 is provided with a groove rib 9 configured to reduce the resistance when folding the bottom portion 7 onto the body portion 6. The state where the bottom portion 7 is folded onto the body portion 6 is shown in FIG. 5. The groove rib 9 extends so as to be away from the bottom portion 7 as it approaches the center LC in the longitudinal direction LD of the flat shape F.

[0021] When folding the bottom portion 7 so as to overlap the body portion 6, at the center LC, it is more difficult to fold than at the end LE in the longitudinal direction LD. Therefore, when trying to fold the bottom portion 7 naturally, the bottom portion 7 bends along a curve that moves away from the bottom portion 7 as it approaches the center LC, as shown by the two-dot chain line 10 in FIG. 5. For this reason, by providing the groove rib 9 that extends so as to be away from the bottom portion 7 as it approaches the center LC in the bottom-near portion 8, it becomes possible to fold the bottom portion 7 naturally, and the force required to fold the bottom portion 7 is reduced. Also, since the groove rib 9 approaches the bottom portion 7 as it approaches the end LE, an increase in the remaining amount of the content after extruding the content so as to fold the bottom portion 7 is suppressed. Further, although the content tends to remain at the end LE in the portion adjacent to the bottom portion 7, since the groove rib 9 protrudes into the interior of the container 1, the capacity of the end LE in the portion adjacent to the bottom portion 7 decreases, so the remaining amount of the content is reduced.

[0022] If we consider the length of the short side SD of the flattened shape F at height position H1 of the groove rib 9 closest to the bottom 7 to be G, and the length from the bottom 7 to height position H1 to be h, then h / G is, for example, 0.10 to 0.40, and preferably 0.15 to 0.30. In this case, the force required to bend the bottom 7 is particularly reduced. Specifically, h / G may be, for example, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. Also, if the total height of the body 6 is H, it is preferable to provide the groove rib 9 in the bottom vicinity portion 8 from the bottom 7 to 0.2H.

[0023] The depth of the groove rib 9 is, for example, 0.5 to 3.0 mm, and preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mm. Specifically, this depth may be, for example, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 mm, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. The line width of the groove rib 9 (length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove rib 9) is, for example, 1.0 to 6.0 mm, and preferably 2.0 to 4.0 mm. Specifically, this line width may be, for example, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0 mm, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. The groove rib 9 is preferably shaped so that its width narrows towards the bottom, and it is even more preferably shaped like an arc (preferably a semi-circular arc) in cross-section. The longitudinal length of the groove rib 9 is, for example, 5 to 50 mm, specifically, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 mm, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. If the groove rib 9 is composed of multiple grooves, it is preferable that the length of each groove is within the above range. By providing a groove rib 9 with such a configuration, the force required to bend the bottom portion 7 is particularly reduced.

[0024] If the first central plane 13a is defined as a plane passing through the central axis C and parallel to the short direction SD, then when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first central plane 13a (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 4), it is preferable that the inclination angle α of the groove rib 9 with respect to the contact surface of the bottom 7 is between 5 and 45 degrees. In this case, the force required to bend the bottom 7 is particularly reduced. Specifically, the inclination angle α may be, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 degrees, and may also be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0025] When container 1 is a direct blow molded product, the blow ratio tends to be minimum and the wall thickness maximum at the central LC. For this reason, when container 1 is a direct blow molded product, bending the bottom portion 7 at the central LC is particularly difficult, and in this case, the technical significance of applying the present invention is particularly remarkable.

[0026] The wall thickness of the container 1 at the central LC at height position H1 is preferably 0.6 mm or more. The larger this wall thickness, the more difficult it becomes to fold the bottom along the groove parallel to the contact surface of the bottom, as in Patent Document 1, and therefore the technical significance of adopting the groove rib 9 as configured in this embodiment is remarkable. This wall thickness is, for example, 0.6 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.7 to 1.2 mm, and specifically, for example, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 mm, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. Note that if a label is attached to the part where the wall thickness is measured, "wall thickness" here means the thickness including the thickness of the label.

[0027] If T1 is the wall thickness of container 1 at the center LC at height position H1, and T2 is the wall thickness of container 1 at the center SC in the short direction SD of the flattened shape F, then T2 / T1 is, for example, 0.3 to 1.0, preferably 0.4 to 0.8, and more preferably 0.5 to 0.7. In this case, bending the bottom 7 at the center LC is particularly difficult, and therefore the technical significance of applying the present invention in this case is particularly remarkable. Specifically, T2 / T1 is, for example, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and may be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2B, if E is the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the flattened shape F at height position H1, and the central region 11 is defined as the range of 0.3E from the center LC, then it is preferable that the groove rib 9 is not provided in the central region 11. A label (not shown) may be attached to the central region 11, and it is preferable that the label be attached by in-mold molding. By not providing the groove rib 9 in the central region 11, it becomes possible to attach the label by in-mold molding.

[0029] If the area within 0.1E from the edge LE is defined as the near-edge region 12, then the grooved rib 9 has a portion located in the near-edge region 12. The near-edge region 12 has a smaller radius of curvature compared to the central region 11, making it easier to bend the bottom 7. Therefore, by providing the grooved rib 9 in the near-edge region 12, the force required to bend the bottom 7 is reduced.

[0030] If the groove rib 9 is defined as the area within 0.1E from one end LEa and the other end LEb in the longitudinal direction LD of the flattened shape F, then it is preferable that the groove rib 9 has a groove rib 9a provided in the area near the one end 12a and a groove rib 9b provided in the area near the other end 12b. By providing the groove rib 9 in the areas near the one end 12a and the other end 12b in this way, the force required to bend the bottom portion 7 is further reduced.

[0031] It is preferable that the groove ribs 9 are provided symmetrically with respect to the first central surface 13a. In other words, it is preferable that the side groove rib 9a at one end and the side groove rib 9b at the other end are symmetrical. In this case, it becomes easier to bend the bottom portion 7 in a balanced manner.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4A, the container 1 has a front pressing surface 1a and a rear pressing surface 1b facing each other in the short direction SD. By pressing the front pressing surface 1a and the rear pressing surface 1b together, the contents inside the container 1 can be pushed out. The front pressing surface 1a and the rear pressing surface 1b are connected in the circumferential direction of the container 1 by a pair of side surfaces 1c. The groove ribs 9 are preferably provided on the side surfaces 1c and preferably not on the front pressing surface 1a and the rear pressing surface 1b.

[0033] If R1 is the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container 1 at the center LC in the longitudinal direction LD, at a height of 0.5H from the bottom 7, and R2 is the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container 1 at the center SC in the short direction SD, then R2 / R1 is preferably 0.01 to 0.30. In this case, the radius of curvature at the side surface 1c becomes smaller than the radius of curvature at the front pressing surface 1a and the back pressing surface 1b, resulting in a flattened shape for the container 1. When the front pressing surface 1a and the back pressing surface 1b are pressed close together, the container 1 bends at the center SC, making it easier to crush the container 1. This makes it easier to push out the contents. R2 / R1 can be, for example, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30, and may also be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0034] The radius of curvature R1 represents the radius of the circle passing through the center LC and two points offset by 0.1 × L1 on either side of it. The radius of curvature R2 represents the radius of the circle passing through the center SC and two points offset by 0.1 × L2 on either side of it. L1 is the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the flattened shape F, and L2 is the length of the transverse direction SD of the flattened shape F.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3C and 4, if the plane passing through the central axis C and parallel to the longitudinal direction LD is defined as the second central surface 13b, it is preferable that the groove ribs 9 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the second central surface 13b. In this case, the bottom portion 7 can be easily folded to either the front or back side of the container 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4A, it is preferable that the engaging portion 5a is provided with an intermittent portion 5b where the engaging portion 5a is interrupted. By providing the intermittent portion 5b, the opening portion 5 becomes more easily deformable, thereby suppressing the retention of contents in the opening portion 5. It is particularly preferable that the intermittent portion 5b be provided on the second central surface 13b. In this case, when the front pressing surface 1a and the back pressing surface 1b are pressed close to each other, the opening portion 5 becomes even more easily deformed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1:Flexible container 1a: Front side pressing surface 1b: Back side pressing surface 1c: Side 5: Mouth 5a: Engagement part 5a1: Male threaded portion 5b: Intermittent portion 5c: Open end 6: Torso 6b:Shoulder 6c: Torso body 7: Bottom 8: Area near the bottom 9: Grooved rib 9a: Rib for one end of side ditch 9b: Rib for the other end of the side groove 10: Dotted line 11: Central area 12: Edge Neighborhood Region 12a: Neighborhood region at one end 12b: Neighboring region of the other end 13a: 1st central plane 13b: 2nd central plane C: Central axis F:Flat shape H1: Height position LC: Central LD: long hand direction LE: End LEa: One end LEb: other side LR: Long-range radius P1: Location R1: Radius of curvature R2: Radius of curvature SC: Central SD: short hand direction SR: Shorter radius α: Inclination angle

Claims

1. A method for using a flexible container, The aforementioned flexible container comprises a mouth, a body, and a bottom. The mouth portion is a cylindrical portion having an open end, the body portion is positioned adjacent to the mouth portion on a side further from the open end than the mouth portion, and has a larger outer diameter than the mouth portion, and the bottom portion is configured to close the lower end of the body portion. The aforementioned body portion is flattened in at least a part thereof. The body portion is provided with grooved ribs configured to reduce resistance when the bottom portion is folded over the body portion. The groove rib extends away from the bottom as it approaches the center in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape. If G is the length in the shorter direction of the flattened shape at height position H1 of the groove rib closest to the bottom, and h is the length from the bottom to height position H1, then h / G is between 0.10 and 0.

30. At the aforementioned height position H1, the wall thickness of the container at the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape is 0.6 mm or more. The aforementioned flexible container contains contents having a viscosity of 20,000 mPa·seconds or more. A method comprising the step of folding the bottom portion so that it overlaps with the body portion, thereby moving the contents remaining in the bottom portion toward the opening portion.

2. The method according to claim 1, If the first central plane is defined as a plane passing through the central axis of the mouth portion and parallel to the shorter side of the flattened shape, A method wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first central surface, the groove rib is straight and the angle of inclination of the bottom with respect to the contact surface is 5 to 45 degrees.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, Let E be the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at the aforementioned height position H1. If the central region is defined as the area within 0.3E from the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape, A method wherein the groove rib is not provided in the central region.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Let E be the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at the aforementioned height position H1. If the area within 0.1E from the longitudinal end of the flattened shape is defined as the end vicinity region, A method wherein the groove rib is provided continuously over the entire area near the end.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Let E be the length in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape at the aforementioned height position H1. If the areas within 0.1E from one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape are defined as the area near one end and the area near the other end, respectively, The groove rib has a one-end side groove rib provided in the region near one end and a other-end side groove rib provided in the region near the other end. The region between the one-end gutter rib and the other-end gutter rib has a curved shape that is convex outward throughout.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, If the first central plane is defined as a plane passing through the central axis of the mouth portion and parallel to the shorter side of the flattened shape, A method wherein the groove ribs are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first central surface.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, If the plane passing through the central axis of the mouth and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape is defined as the second central plane, A method wherein the groove ribs are provided symmetrically with respect to the second central surface.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, If the total height of the torso is H, At a height of 0.5H from the bottom, if R1 is the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container at the center of the longitudinal direction of the flattened shape, and R2 is the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the container at the center of the short direction of the flattened shape, A method in which R2 / R1 is between 0.01 and 0.30.

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