Zipper tape, container with zipper tape, method for manufacturing zipper tape, and method for manufacturing container with zipper tape

Abstract

Provided is a zipper tape comprising a first base part and a first engagement part formed on the first base part, wherein: the first base part is folded back or can be folded back on a first side in the width direction of the zipper tape; and the first engagement part is formed on a surface which serves as an outer side when the first base part is folded back.

Description

Zipper tape, container with zipper tape, method for manufacturing zipper tape, and method for manufacturing container with zipper tape

[0001] The present invention relates to a zipper tape, a container with zipper tape, a method for manufacturing a zipper tape, and a method for manufacturing a container with zipper tape.

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a technique is known in which one base of the zipper tape is not joined to the film of the container body on the opening side of the container, making it difficult to open the container once it has been sealed with the zipper tape. Making it difficult to open a container with zipper tape once it has been sealed can prevent tampering with the contents and provide a so-called child-resistant function.

[0003] On the other hand, containers with zipper tape are also known in which one base of the zipper tape is made wider and both bases are joined to a film on the same side, as described in Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4. Such containers are advantageous in that they can be filled with contents even with the zipper tape sealed, for example, if no seal is formed at the top end of the container.

[0004] International Publication No. 2015 / 178318 International Publication No. 2017 / 047573 JP 2018-188196 A JP 2019-51963 A

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a special configuration such as a heat insulating structure for the seal bar because one of the bases on one side of the engaging portion is not joined to the film, which makes the process complicated. Also, due to the structure of the container, it is not easy to apply the technology described in Patent Document 1 to the containers with zipper tape described in Patent Documents 3, 4, and 5.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a zipper tape, a container with zipper tape, a method for manufacturing zipper tape, and a method for manufacturing a container with zipper tape, which enable zipper tape that is difficult to open using normal operations to be applied to containers of various structures using simple processes.

[0007] [1] A zipper tape including a first base and a first engagement portion formed on the first base, wherein the first base is folded or can be folded back on a first side in a width direction of the zipper tape, and the first engagement portion is formed on a surface that faces outward when the first base is folded back. [2] The zipper tape according to [1], further including a second base and a second engagement portion formed on the second base and engageable with the first engagement portion, wherein the surface that faces outward when the first base is folded back faces the second base. [3] The zipper tape according to [2], wherein the first base extends beyond the second base on the second side in the width direction when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged. [4] The zipper tape according to [3], further comprising a tear strip laminated to a portion of the first base that extends beyond the second base on the second side in the width direction. [5] The zipper tape according to [3], further comprising a tear strip laminated to an end portion of the second base on the second widthwise side. [6] The zipper tape according to [2], wherein an end portion of the first base is aligned with that of the second base on the second widthwise side when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged. [7] The zipper tape according to any one of [2] to [6], wherein the second base is folded back or is capable of being folded back on the first widthwise side toward the first base, and the first engaging portion is formed on a surface of the folded back portion of the second base facing the second base. [8] The zipper tape according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein in a first longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a first width, and in a second longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, or is not formed with a second width. [9] The zipper tape according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the first base includes a thick portion formed on one or both sides of the folded-back portion.

[10] The zipper tape according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the first base includes a thin portion formed in the folded-back portion.

[11] A container with zipper tape comprising: a container body forming a storage space; a first base and a second base attached to the container body and including surfaces facing each other; and a zipper tape including first and second engaging portions formed on the first and second bases, respectively, and engageable with each other, wherein the first base is folded back toward the second base on a side of the storage space in a width direction of the zipper tape toward the second base, and the first engaging portion is formed on a surface of the folded back portion of the first base facing the second base.

[12] The container with zipper tape according to

[11] , wherein the container body includes at least one film, the second base is joined to the at least one film on a surface opposite to the second engaging portion, the first base extends beyond the second base on a side opposite to the storage space in the width direction, and the extended portion of the first base is joined to the at least one film.

[13] The container with zipper tape according to

[12] , further comprising a tear strip disposed between the second base and a position where the first base is joined to the at least one film, the tear strip being configured to tear the at least one film when pulled from a tab.

[14] The container with zipper tape according to

[12] , further comprising a tear strip laminated on an end of the second base opposite the storage space in the width direction, the tear strip being configured to tear the at least one film when pulled from a tab.

[15] The container with zipper tape according to

[11] , wherein the container body includes a first surface and a second surface formed by at least one film, the storage space being formed between the first surface and the second surface, the first base being joined to the first surface, and the second base being joined to the second surface.

[16] A container with zipper tape described in any one of

[11] to

[15] , wherein the second base is folded back toward the first base on the storage space side in the width direction, and the second engagement portion is formed on the surface of the folded back part of the second base facing the first base.

[17] The container with zipper tape according to any one of

[11] to

[16] , wherein in a first longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a first width, and in a first longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, or is not formed with a second width.

[18] The container with zipper tape according to any one of

[11] to

[17] , wherein the first base includes a thick portion formed on one or both sides of the folded-back portion.

[19] The container with zipper tape according to any one of

[11] to

[18] , wherein the second base includes a thin portion formed on the folded-back portion.

[20] A method for manufacturing a zipper tape including a first base and a first engaging portion formed on the first base, the method comprising the steps of: molding the first base and the first engaging portion; and folding back the first base on a first side in the width direction of the zipper tape.

[21] A method for manufacturing a zipper tape bag, the method comprising the step of attaching a zipper tape including a first base and a second base, and a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the first base and the second base, respectively, and engageable with each other, to a container body forming a storage space, the method further comprising the steps of folding back the first base toward the second base on the storage space side in the width direction of the zipper tape; and engaging the first engaging portion, formed on a surface of the first base that will be on the outside when the first base is folded back, with the second engaging portion.

[22] A method for manufacturing a bag with zipper tape, which includes a step of attaching a zipper tape including a first base and a second base, and a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the first base and the second base, respectively, and capable of engaging with each other, to a container body that forms a storage space, and further includes a step of folding back a portion of the first base including the first engaging portion, together with the second engaging portion and the second base engaged with the first engaging portion, on the storage space side in the width direction of the zipper tape.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the second engaging portion is formed at the folded-back portion on the first side in the width direction of the zipper tape, so that even if the film joined to the unfolded portion of the second base is pulled, it is not easy to disengage the first and second engaging portions and open the container. On the other hand, the container can be opened by pulling the end of the folded-back portion of the second base. Since the unfolded portion of the second base can be joined to the film on both sides of the engaging portion as with ordinary zipper tape, the process does not become complicated due to factors such as insulating the seal bar, and the zipper tape can also be applied to containers with zipper tape in which both bases are joined to the film on the same side.

[0009] 14 is a plan view of a bag-shaped container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an opening has been formed in the example of FIG. 2. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of FIG. 2. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an opening method that makes opening difficult. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an operation that makes opening possible. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an opening method that makes opening possible. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example that can be adopted for a base of a zipper tape. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a zipper tape according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of a zipper tape according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a zipper tape according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a bag-shaped container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the modified example of FIG. 15. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a zipper tape according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of a zipper tape according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pouch-shaped container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. In the illustrated example, the pouch-shaped container 100 includes a film 110 forming a container body having opposing first and second surfaces 111A and 111B, a zipper tape 120, and a tear strip 130. The zipper tape 120 includes a base portion 121 and an engagement portion 122. A tab 131, which serves as the starting point for tearing to open the pouch, is formed near one end of the tear strip 130, and a notch or thin-walled portion 132, which serves as the end point for tearing, is formed near the other end.

[0012] The film 110 is formed of, for example, a single-layer or multi-layer thermoplastic resin. More specifically, the film 110 may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or polypropylene (PP). PP may be homopolypropylene (HPP), random polypropylene (RPP), or block polypropylene (BPP). When the film 110 is multi-layered, the surface substrate may be biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), or biaxially oriented nylon (ONy). These are not limited to resins derived from fossil fuels, but may be environmentally friendly bioplastics (polyolefin resins such as bio-polyethylene and bio-polypropylene derived from biomass), or may be a mixture of a resin derived from fossil fuels and a bioplastic, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene adipate / terephthalate) (PBAT), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(caprolactone / butylene succinate) (PCLBS), poly(butylene succinate) (PBAT), poly( ... The film 110 may be a biodegradable resin such as poly(ethylene succinate / adipate) (PBSA), poly(butylene succinate / carbonate) (PEC), poly(ethylene terephthalate / succinate) (PETS), poly(tetramethylene adipate / terephthalate) (PTMAT), polyethylene succinate (PES), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-H), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and poly(hydroxybutyrate / hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), or a mixture thereof. The film 110 may also include a layer of an inorganic material formed by aluminum vapor deposition, lamination of aluminum foil, or the like.

[0013] Film 110 includes two films that form first and second surfaces 111A and 111B facing each other. The two films are joined at top seal 112, side seals 113A and 113B, and bottom seal 114, respectively, thereby forming a storage space SP between first surface 111A and second surface 111B. Note that storage space SP does not necessarily have to be sealed in all directions by seals. For example, top seal 112 may not be formed when bag-shaped container 100 is completed, and top seal 112 may be formed after contents are filled into storage space SP, sealing storage space SP. For the same reason, either bottom seal 114 or side seals 113A and 113B may not be formed when bag-shaped container 100 is completed. In the present embodiment, the bases 121A and 121B of the zipper tape 120 are both joined to the first surface 111A, which is advantageous in that the contents can be filled from above the storage space SP where no top seal portion is formed without having to disengage the engagement portions 122A and 122B when filling the contents, and the contents will not become caught between the engagement portions 122A and 122B.

[0014] In the illustrated example, a gusset is formed by folding the film 110 toward the storage space SP at the bottom of the container where the bottom seal 114 is formed. The gusset may be formed, for example, by a film separate from the film forming the first surface 111A and the second surface 111B. A similar gusset may also be formed on the side of the container where the side seals 113A and 113B are formed. In such a case, the film 110 includes another film in addition to the two films forming the first surface 111A and the second surface 111B. In the illustrated example, the first surface 111A and the second surface 111B are formed by joining two films at the side seals 113A and 113B and the bottom seal 114, respectively. However, the first surface 111A and the second surface 111B may also be formed by folding the film 110 back at the side or bottom of the container. In this case, either or both of the side seals 113A and 113B or the bottom seal 114 are not formed.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the zipper tape 120 includes two base portions 121A and 121B and engaging portions 122A and 122B formed on the base portions 121A and 121B, respectively. The engaging portions 122A and 122B are engageable with each other. The base portion 121A is joined to the first surface 111A on the surface opposite the engaging portion 122A. On the other hand, the base portion 121B is wider than the base portion 121A and extends beyond the base portion 121A on the side opposite the storage space SP in the width direction of the zipper tape 120 (hereinafter, for simplicity, this side is also referred to as the opening side regardless of whether the opening 101 is formed before or after), and the extended portion is joined to the first surface 111A. Furthermore, the base portion 121B is folded back toward the base portion 121A on the side of the storage space SP in the width direction of the zipper tape 120, and the engaging portion 122B is formed on the surface that faces outward when the base portion 121B is folded back, i.e., on the surface facing the base portion 121A. Here, the zipper tape 120 is disposed facing the storage space SP, and one side of the zipper tape 120 in the width direction is the storage space SP. The other side of the zipper tape 120 in the width direction, i.e., the opening side, communicates with the outside of the bag-like container 100 through the opening 101 when the first surface 111A is torn by the tear strip 130 to form the opening 101, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0016] The engaging portions 122A, 122B may be configured with two or more pairs of engaging portions. Although the engaging portion 122A is illustrated as a female engaging portion and the engaging portion 122B as a male engaging portion, the genders of the engaging portions 122A, 122B may be reversed, and various known shapes of engaging portions of zipper tapes, such as a hook shape, may also be used. When the engaging portions 122A, 122B are configured with male and female engaging portions, it is preferable that the engaging portion 122B on the side where the base is folded back be a male type, as in the illustrated example, but this example is not limiting.

[0017] The tear strip 130 is located between the base 121A and the position where the base 121B is joined to the first surface 111A, and is directly or indirectly joined to at least one of the first surface 111A and the base 121B. As shown in Fig. 4, the tear strip 130 may be laminated to the end of the base 121A, more specifically, to the end on the opening side of the zipper tape 120. In this case, the tear strip 130 is indirectly joined to the first surface 111A via the base 121A. Alternatively, in the example of Fig. 2, the tear strip 130 may be joined to the base 121B, and not directly or indirectly joined to the first surface 111A. It is optional whether or not the tear strip 130 is bonded to the base 121B, but it is preferred that the tear strip 130 is not bonded to the base 121B unless the tear strip 130 is not bonded to the first surface 111A.

[0018] The base portion 121 and the engaging portion 122 of the zipper tape 120 are formed by extrusion molding of, for example, a polyolefin resin. More specifically, the zipper tape 120 may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or polypropylene (PP). PP may be homopolypropylene (HPP), random polypropylene (RPP), or block polypropylene (BPP). These may be environmentally friendly bioplastics, or a mixture of fossil fuel-derived resin and biomass plastics such as biopolyethylene may be used. Furthermore, in consideration of the environment, the base 121 may be formed by extrusion molding of a biodegradable resin such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene adipate / terephthalate) (PBAT), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(caprolactone / butylene succinate) (PCLBS), poly(butylene succinate / adipate) (PBSA), poly(butylene succinate / carbonate) (PEC), poly(ethylene terephthalate / succinate) (PETS), poly(tetramethylene adipate / terephthalate) (PTMAT), polyethylene succinate (PES), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-H), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and poly(hydroxybutyrate / hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH). These may also be biomass-derived biodegradable resins. If necessary, known additives such as stabilizers, antioxidants, lubricants, antistatic agents, or colorants may be added to the material of the zipper tape 120 .

[0019] On the other hand, the tear strip 130 is formed by extrusion molding of, for example, a polyolefin resin, similar to the zipper tape 120. By forming the tear strip 130 from a resin that has low compatibility with the resin that forms the zipper tape 120, it is possible to achieve interfacial delamination at the joining surface between the zipper tape 120 and the tear strip 130. For this purpose, for example, one of the zipper tape 120 or the tear strip 130 may be formed from a low-density polyethylene resin, and the other from a random polypropylene resin. Specific examples of the combination include low-density polyethylene (LDPE) / random polypropylene (RPP), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) / RPP (including m-LL), LDPE / homopolypropylene (HPP), LLDPE / HPP (including m-LL), LDPE / polystyrene (PS), LLDPE / PS (including m-LL), RPP / PS, HPP / PS, LDPE / polyethylene terephthalate (PET), LLDPE / PET, RPP / PET, HPP / PET, PS / PET, LDPE / nylon (Ny), LLDPE / Ny, RPP / Ny, HPP / Ny, and PS / Ny. When a biodegradable resin is used for the zipper tape 120, it is preferable that the tear strip 130 also be made of a biodegradable resin.

[0020] As already mentioned, in this embodiment, the base portion 121B of the zipper tape 120 is folded back toward the base portion 121A on the side of the storage space SP in the width direction, and the engaging portions 122B are formed on the surface of the folded back portion facing the base portion 121A. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, if an attempt is made to release the engagement of the zipper tape 120 after the opening 101 is formed by the tear strip 130 and positions P1 and P2 on both sides of the opening 101 are grasped and pulled, respectively, a force F1 acts on the engaging portions 122A and 122B in a direction parallel to the base portions 121A and 121B, rather than a force that tries to separate the engaging portions 122A and 122B in a direction perpendicular to the base portions 121A and 121B. It is not easy to release the engagement of the engaging portions 122A and 122B by applying such force F1.

[0021] When a shear force F1 is applied to the engagement portions 122A and 122B as described above, the engagement strength is, for example, 26 N / 50 mm or more, preferably 30 N / 50 mm or more, more preferably 40 N / 50 mm or more, even more preferably 50 N / 50 mm or more, and particularly preferably 60 N / 50 mm or more. The maximum engagement strength is, for example, approximately 200 N / 50 mm. In this case, the engagement strength can be measured using, for example, a digital force gauge (manufactured by Imada Co., Ltd.) as follows: First, the zipper tape is cut to a length of 50 mm in the longitudinal direction, and the base portions 121A and 121B are each held at a position 2 mm from the engagement portion. When measuring the engagement strength of a zipper tape already joined to the film of the container body, the base portion may be held together with the joined film. The holding positions are the storage space SP side of the base portion 121B and the opening side of the base portion 121A. Next, while the female base is fixed, the male base is pulled up and the strength measured until the engagement of the engaging portions is released is determined, and the measurement result at the maximum load is the engagement strength (as mentioned above, it is arbitrary which of engaging portions 122A, 122B is designated as the male and which is the female). If the longitudinal length is less than 50 mm, and that length is designated as X mm, the measurement result N / X mm can be multiplied by 50 / X to convert it to N / 50 mm.

[0022] On the other hand, when the container body including the first surface 111A is folded back from the position of the opening 101, for example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the end of the base 121B on the engaging portion 122B side at position P3 can be grasped together with one end of the opening 101 at position P2. When positions P2 and P3 are grasped and pulled, a force F2 acts to separate the opening sides of the engaging portions 122A and 122B. As described below, the opening sides of the engaging portions 122A and 122B are designed to have a lower engagement strength than the storage space SP side. Therefore, applying force F2 can disengage the engaging portions 122A and 122B. In this way, in this embodiment, the bag-like container 100 is difficult to open using normal methods, thereby providing benefits such as tamper resistance and child resistance, while still allowing opening if, for example, a parent or guardian knows the special method of folding back the container body.

[0023] To facilitate grasping the position P3 of the end of the base 121B on the side of the engaging portion 122B shown in FIG. 7, the distance d from the engaging portion 122B to the end of the base 121B shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is preferably 2 mm or more. There is no particular upper limit to the distance d, but a distance of about 6 mm is sufficient for grasping. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, the end of the base 121B on the side of the engaging portion 122B may be aligned with the end of the tear strip 130 on the side of the storage space SP. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 4, the end of the base 121B on the side of the engaging portion 122B may be aligned with the end of the tear strip 130 opposite the storage space SP, or preferably with the end of the tear strip 130 on the side of the storage space SP. In these cases, the distance d may be greater than 6 mm. Alternatively, the end of the base 121B on the side of the engaging portion 122B may be formed independently of the tear strip 130 so that the distance d is between 2 mm and 6 mm.

[0024] The engagement strength between the engagement portions 122A, 122B of the zipper tape 120 on the opening side is designed to be low enough to allow opening if the opening method is known, but not too low so as to prevent easy opening even if the opening method is accidentally performed. More specifically, the difference in the engagement strength between the engagement portions 122A, 122B on the opening side from the side of the storage space SP is, for example, 10 N / 50 mm or more, preferably 20 N / 50 mm or more, more preferably 30 N / 50 mm or more, even more preferably 40 N / 50 mm or more, and particularly preferably 50 N / 50 mm or more. The engagement strength is measured as described above. However, since the base 121B is grasped on the opening side during opening as shown in FIG. 7, both bases 121A, 121B are held on the opening side when measuring the engagement strength on the opening side.

[0025] On the other hand, the engagement strength between the engagement portions 122A, 122B on the storage space SP side is designed to be relatively higher than that on the opening side to prevent unintentional disengagement due to internal pressure in the storage space SP. More specifically, the engagement strength between the engagement portions 122A, 122B on the storage space SP side is, for example, 26 N / 50 mm or more, preferably 30 N / 50 mm or more, more preferably 40 N / 50 mm or more, even more preferably 50 N / 50 mm or more, and particularly preferably 60 N / 50 mm or more. The maximum value of the engagement strength is, for example, approximately 200 N / 50 mm. The engagement strength is measured as described above, but both the base 121B and the base 121A are held on the storage space SP side.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows an example of a base portion of the zipper tape. As shown in the example, the width of the end portion of the folded-back base portion 121B that can be gripped at position P3 shown in FIG. 7 may be shortened except for a portion. More specifically, in the first longitudinal section 121B1 of the base portion 121B, the end portion opposite the folded-back portion relative to the engaging portion 122B is formed with a grippable width as shown in FIG. 7. More specifically, for example, in the first longitudinal section 121B1, the distance d1 from the engaging portion 122B to the end portion of the base portion 121B is 2 mm or more. The distance d1 may be 6 mm or less. On the other hand, in the second longitudinal section 121B2 of the base portion 121B, the end portion opposite the folded-back portion is formed with a width narrower than that of the first section 121B1, or is not formed at all. More specifically, for example, in the second section 121B2, the distance d2 from the engaging portion 122B to the end of the base 121B is less than 2 mm, and may be 0 mm, i.e., the base 121B may not be present on the side opposite the portion folded back from the engaging portion 122B. In the illustrated example, the first section 121B1 protrudes rectangularly from the second section 121B2, but the shape of the protrusion is not particularly limited and may be, for example, triangular or semicircular. The number of first sections 121B1 and the width per section are not particularly limited, and the position of the first sections 121B1 in the longitudinal direction of the base 121B is also not particularly limited. However, by reducing the length ratio of the first sections 121B1 to the second sections 121B2, even if the end of the base 121B is exposed as shown in FIG. 7, the end of the base 121B cannot be grasped except at a specific position in the longitudinal direction, thereby further enhancing, for example, tamper-proofing and child-resistance.

[0027] 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of a zipper tape according to a first embodiment of the present invention. To be attached to the bag-shaped container 100 according to the present embodiment, a zipper tape 120 including base portions 121A, 121B and engaging portions 122A, 122B can be provided independently. In this case, the base portion 121B is folded back toward the base portion 121A on a first widthwise side of the zipper tape 120, i.e., the side that will become the storage space SP after attachment to the container body, and the engaging portion 122B is formed on the surface of the folded back portion facing the base portion 121A. Furthermore, when the engaging portions 122A, 122B are engaged, the base portion 121B extends beyond the base portion 121A on a second widthwise side of the zipper tape 120, i.e., the side that will be opposite the storage space SP after attachment to the container body.

[0028] 9 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 2 above, in which tear strip 130 may be laminated to the base 121B where it extends beyond base 121A on the second widthwise side. As mentioned above, when tear strip 130 is attached to the first surface 111A of the container body, tear strip 130 does not have to be attached to base 121B, and therefore tear strip 130 may be provided separately from zipper tape 120. Also, FIG. 10 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 4 above, in which tear strip 130 is laminated to the end of the second widthwise side of base 121A.

[0029] 11 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of the zipper tape according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The zipper tape 120 may be extruded with the base portion 121B folded over, as in the examples shown in Figs. 9 and 10 , or may be extruded with the base portion 121B folded over but not yet folded over, as in the examples shown in Figs. 11 to 13 , and the base portion 121B may be folded over later. In this case, during the manufacture of the zipper tape 120, a step of folding over the base portion 121B on one side in the width direction of the zipper tape 120 is performed after the base portion 121B and the engaging portion 122B are formed, or a step of folding over the base portion 121B is performed when the zipper tape 120 is attached to a container body, as described below.

[0030] When the base portion 121B is folded back later, a thickened portion 123 may be formed on one or both sides of the folded portion, as shown in the example of FIG. 12 . The thickened portion 123 may be formed on one side of the folded portion, but it is more preferable to form it on both sides. The thickened portion 123 is preferably formed in a portion that does not overlap the base portion 121A when the base portion 121B is folded back and the engaging portions 122A and 122B are engaged, i.e., in a portion where the base portion 121B extends beyond the base portion 121A on the storage space SP side. This can facilitate the process, for example, from the viewpoint of preventing poor bonding during the process of bonding the zipper tape 120 to the film 110 during bag making. Alternatively, a thinned portion 124 may be formed in the folded portion, as shown in the example of FIG. 13 . Forming the thickened portion 123 or the thinned portion 124 makes it easier to fold the base portion 121B at a predetermined position during the process of folding back the base portion 121B described above. From the viewpoint of preventing the base 121B from tearing when opening is not permitted as shown in FIG. 5, forming the thick portion 123 is preferable to forming the thin portion 124. However, when the thickness of the base 121B can be sufficiently ensured even with the thin portion 124 or when it is desired to reduce the thickness of the zipper tape 120, forming the thin portion 124 may also be advantageous.

[0031] When forming the thick-walled portion 123 as described above, the thick-walled portion 123 forms a protrusion on one or both surfaces in the thickness direction of the base 121B. Although not particularly limited, from the viewpoint of reducing interference between the thick-walled portions 123 during the folding process, it is preferable to relatively increase the protrusion of the thick-walled portion 123 on the surface that will be on the outside when folded back, i.e., the surface on which the engaging portion 122B is formed, or to have the thick-walled portion 123 protrude only on the surface on which the engaging portion 122B is formed. When forming the thin-walled portion 124, the thin-walled portion 124 forms a recess on one or both surfaces in the thickness direction of the base 121B. Although not particularly limited, from the viewpoint of reducing interference between the portions on both sides of the recess during the folding process, it is preferable to relatively increase the recess of the thin-walled portion 124 on the surface that will be on the outside when folded back, i.e., the surface on which the engaging portion 122B is formed, or to have the recess of the thin-walled portion 124 formed only on the surface on which the engaging portion 122B is formed. In addition, both the thick portion 123 and the thin portion 124 may be formed in the base portion 121B.

[0032] 9 to 11, the portion of the zipper tape 120 including the base portion 121A and the engaging portion 122A and the portion including the base portion 121B and the engaging portion 122B may be molded simultaneously, or each portion may be molded separately, as in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13. Therefore, the zipper tape according to this embodiment may be distributed with only the portion including the base portion 121B and the engaging portion 122B in a state where the base portion 121B is not folded back (examples of FIGS. 12 and 13) or in a state where the base portion 121B is folded back. Alternatively, the zipper tape according to this embodiment may be distributed with the base portions 121A, 121B and the engaging portions 122A, 122B combined together and the base portion 121B in a state where the base portion 121B is not folded back (example of FIG. 11) or in a state where the base portion 121B is folded back (examples of FIGS. 8 and 9). It should be noted that even when the bases 121A, 121B and the engaging portions 122A, 122B are combined, the engaging portions 122A, 122B do not necessarily have to be engaged with each other. The configuration of the thick portion 123 shown in the example of Fig. 12 and the thin portion 124 shown in the example of Fig. 13 can be applied to any of the above embodiments.

[0033] When the zipper tape 120 with the base portion 121B not folded back is attached to the container body, the manufacturing process of the bag-shaped container 100 includes, for example, a step of folding back the base portion 121B toward the base portion 121A on the storage space SP side with the base portions 121A and 121B facing each other, and a step of engaging the engaging portion 122B formed on the folded back portion with the engaging portion 122A. These steps may be performed before the base portions 121A and 121B are joined to the film 110, or may be performed after the base portions 121A and 121B are joined to the film 110. Alternatively, with the engaging portions 122A and 122B already engaged, a portion of the base portion 121B including the engaging portion 122B may be folded back on the storage space SP side of the zipper tape 120 together with the engaging portion 122A and the base portion 121A engaged with the engaging portion 122B. This step is carried out at least before the base portion 121A is bonded to the film 110 (the base portion 121B may be bonded to the film 110).

[0034] Second Embodiment Fig. 14 is a plan view of a bag-shaped container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Fig. 14. In the illustrated example, bag-shaped container 200 includes film 110 forming a container body, as in the first embodiment described above, and zipper tape 220. In this embodiment, base portion 121A of zipper tape 220 is joined to first surface 111A of film 110, and base portion 221B is joined to second surface 111B, respectively, on the surfaces opposite engagement portions 122A and 122B. The materials of film 110 and zipper tape 220 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the bag-shaped container 200 does not have a top seal, and one side of the container body is opened to form the opening 101. In another example, a top seal may be formed, and the opening may be formed by later cutting between the top seal and the zipper tape 220. Regardless of whether a top seal is formed, the bottom seal 114 may not be formed when the bag-shaped container 200 is completed, and the bottom seal 114 may be formed after the contents are filled into the storage space SP. In the illustrated example, the bag-shaped container 200 does not include a tear strip. However, once the top seal is formed and each side of the container body is sealed, the container may be opened by providing a tear strip similar to that of the first embodiment together with the zipper tape 220. Also, as in the first embodiment, a gusset may be formed in the bottom or side of the container, and the first surface 111A and the second surface 111B may be formed by folding the film 110 at the bottom or side of the container.

[0036] As in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, base 221B of zipper tape 220 is folded back toward base 121A on the storage space SP side in the width direction, and engaging portion 122B is formed on the surface of the folded back portion facing base 121A. As a result, even if positions P1 and P2 of the ends of first surface 111A and second surface 111B of film 110 are grasped and pulled in opening 101, a force is not applied in a direction perpendicular to bases 121A and 221B to separate engaging portions 122A and 122B, and it is not easy to disengage engaging portions 122A and 122B. However, by grasping position P3 of the end of folded base 221B, a force is applied in a direction to separate engaging portions 122A and 122B, allowing the engagement to be released.

[0037] The above-described effect can also be obtained by not joining the base 221B to the second surface 111B on the opening side, for example, when the base 221B is not folded back. However, in this case, a special configuration such as a heat insulating structure of the seal bar is required so that a part of the base 221B is not joined when the zipper tape 220 is attached to the film 110. In this embodiment, the part of the base 221B other than the folded back part may be joined to the second surface 111B on the opening side, so that the above-described effect can be obtained without requiring a special configuration such as a heat insulating structure of the seal bar.

[0038] 16 shows a modified example in which the base 221A is also folded back toward the base 221B on the storage space SP side in the width direction, and an engaging portion 122A is formed on the surface of the folded back portion facing the base 221B. In this case, by pinching the end positions of the folded back portions of both bases 221A and 221B, it is possible to release the engagement between the engaging portions 122A and 122B and open the container. Note that the configuration in which both bases are folded back on the storage space SP side and engaging portions are formed on the folded back portions can also be applied to the first embodiment described above.

[0039] 17 and 18 are cross-sectional views of a zipper tape according to a second embodiment of the present invention. To attach the zipper tape to the bag-shaped container 200 according to the present embodiment, a zipper tape 220 including base portions 121A, 221B and engaging portions 122A, 122B as shown in FIG. 17 can be provided independently. In this case, the base portion 221B is folded back toward the base portion 121A on a first widthwise side of the zipper tape 220, i.e., the side that will become the storage space SP after attachment to the container body, and the engaging portion 122B is formed on the surface of the folded back portion facing the base portion 121A. When the engaging portions 122A, 122B are engaged, the ends of the base portions 121A, 221B may be aligned on a second widthwise side, i.e., the side that will be opposite the storage space SP after attachment to the container body. FIG. 18 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 16 above, in which both base portions 221A and 221B are folded back on the first side in the width direction, and engagement portions 122A and 122B are formed at the folded back portions.

[0040] The configuration described above with reference to Figure 8 for the first embodiment, in which the width of the end of the base is shortened except for a portion or not formed at all, the configuration described with reference to Figures 11 to 13 in which the base is molded without being folded over and thick-walled portion 123 or thin-walled portion 124 is formed as needed, and the configuration in which the portion including base 121A (or base 221A) and engaging portion 122A and the portion including base 221B and engaging portion 122B are molded separately, can also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0041] 100, 200...bag-like container, 101...opening, 110...film, 111A...first surface, 111B...second surface, 112...top seal portion, 113A, 113B...side seal portion, 114...bottom seal portion, 120, 220...zipper tape, 121, 121A, 121B, 221A, 221B...base portion, 122, 122A, 122B...engagement portion, 123...thick portion, 124...thin portion, 130...tear strip, 131...tab, 132...notch or thin portion, SP...storage space.

Claims

1. A zipper tape comprising a first base and a first engagement portion formed on the first base, wherein the first base is folded or can be folded on a first side in the width direction of the zipper tape, and the first engagement portion is formed on a surface that becomes outer when the first base is folded.

2. The zipper tape according to claim 1, further comprising a second base and a second engaging portion formed on said second base and engageable with said first engaging portion, wherein the surface that becomes the outside when said first base is folded back faces said second base.

3. The zipper tape of claim 2, wherein said first base portion extends beyond said second base portion on a second side in said width direction when said first engaging portion and said second engaging portion are engaged.

4. The zipper tape of claim 3 further comprising a tear strip laminated to said portion of said first base extending beyond said second base on said second widthwise side.

5. The zipper tape of claim 3, further comprising a tear strip laminated to an end of said second widthwise side of said second base portion.

6. The zipper tape according to claim 2, wherein an end of the first base is aligned with an end of the second base on a second side in the width direction when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged.

7. A zipper tape as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second base is or can be folded back towards the first base at a first side in the width direction, and the first engagement portion is formed on a surface of the folded back portion of the second base that faces the second base.

8. A zipper tape as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in a first longitudinal section of the first base, an end opposite the portion folded back with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a first width, and in a second longitudinal section of the first base, an end opposite the portion folded back with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, or is not formed at all.

9. The zipper tape according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first base portion includes a thickened portion formed on one or both sides of the folded-back portion.

10. The zipper tape according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first base portion includes a thinned portion formed in the folded-back portion.

11. A container with zipper tape comprising: a container body forming a storage space; a first base and a second base attached to the container body and including surfaces facing each other; and a zipper tape including a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion formed on the first base and the second base, respectively, and engageable with each other, wherein the first base is folded back toward the second base on the storage space side in the width direction of the zipper tape, and the first engagement portion is formed on the surface of the folded back portion of the first base facing the second base.

12. A container with zipper tape as described in claim 11, wherein the container body includes at least one film, the second base is joined to the at least one film on a surface opposite to the second engagement portion, and the first base extends beyond the second base on a side opposite to the storage space in the width direction, and the extended portion of the first base is joined to the at least one film.

13. The zipper tape container of claim 12, further comprising a tear strip disposed between the location where the first base is joined to the at least one film and the second base, the tear strip being configured to tear the at least one film by pulling from a tab.

14. The container with zipper tape of claim 12, further comprising a tear strip laminated to an end of the second base opposite the storage space in the width direction and configured to tear the at least one film by pulling from a tab.

15. The container with zipper tape according to claim 11, wherein the container body includes a first surface and a second surface formed by at least one film, the storage space is formed between the first surface and the second surface, the first base is joined to the first surface, and the second base is joined to the second surface.

16. A container with a zipper tape as described in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the second base is folded back toward the first base on the storage space side in the width direction, and the second engagement portion is formed on the surface of the folded back portion of the second base facing the first base.

17. A container with a zipper tape as described in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein, in a first longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a first width, and, in the first longitudinal section of the first base, an end portion opposite the folded-back portion with respect to the first engagement portion is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, or is not formed.

18. A container with a zipper tape according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first base includes a thickened portion formed on one or both sides of the folded-over portion.

19. A container with a zipper tape according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the second base includes a thin-walled portion formed in the folded-back portion.

20. A method for manufacturing a zipper tape including a first base and a first engagement portion formed on the first base, the method comprising: a step of molding the first base and the first engagement portion; and a step of folding back the first base on a first side in the width direction of the zipper tape.

21. A method for manufacturing a bag with zipper tape, comprising the step of attaching a zipper tape including a first base and a second base, as well as a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the first base and the second base, respectively, and engageable with each other, to a container body that forms a storage space, further comprising the steps of folding back the first base toward the second base on the storage space side in the width direction of the zipper tape, and engaging the first engaging portion, formed on the surface that becomes outer when the first base is folded back, with the second engaging portion.

22. A method for manufacturing a bag with zipper tape, comprising the step of attaching a zipper tape including a first base and a second base, and a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the first base and the second base, respectively, and engageable with each other, to a container body that forms a storage space, and further comprising the step of folding back a portion of the first base including the first engaging portion, together with the second engaging portion and the second base engaged with the first engaging portion, on the storage space side in the width direction of the zipper tape.

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