U.S. patent application number 13/061772 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for spout member and packaging bag utilizing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJIMORI KOGYO CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hirotaka Ikeda, Takahiro Koyama, Tetsushi Mori, Toshihiko Mori, Moritoshi Oguni, Matsutarou Ono, Yasuharu Takada, Yasuhiro Takeda, Kenji Washida.
Application Number | 20110293202 13/061772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44010164 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110293202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeda; Yasuhiro ; et
al. |
December 1, 2011 |
SPOUT MEMBER AND PACKAGING BAG UTILIZING SAME
Abstract
It is aimed to provide a spout member and a packaging bag using
the spout member which have excellent handling property and hygiene
management performance at the time of supplying water or the like
from the outside before and during use such as administration of
water and medicine, in which a closure means for freely opening and
closing an aperture formed by cutting off parts of peripheral
portions of sealed film pieces is protected from a contained
content at the time of storage or transportation and which have
excellent protecting property even when an inner pressure acts in
the packaging bag, excellent contamination preventing property
until a spout is opened and excellent contamination preventing
property and handling property after opening. In a packaging bag
formed by sealing peripheral portions of a plurality of film pieces
and including an inlet portion and a spout portion at the
peripheral portions, the inlet portion is opened as an inlet port
by cutting off parts of the peripheral portions of the sealed film
pieces to form an aperture by an unsealed portion, at least two
holes are formed at the opposite sides of a part which becomes the
inlet port at the peripheral portions near the inlet portion, and
the holes serve as a suspension means for enabling the packaging
bag to be suspended and a finger holding means. An operable and
closable closure means including first and second members
engageable with each other is formed by bonding an upper part of a
first base member including the first member and an upper part of a
second base member including the second member respectively to
inner sides of the film pieces forming the aperture and facing each
other, and a bottom end portion of one base member is formed to be
longer than that of the other base member and bonded to the other
film piece opposite thereto by an easily peelable seal, thereby
forming an easily peelable portion which is peeled open to open the
aperture at the time of opening. A spout member is provided with a
spout portion including a base portion and a cylindrical portion
projecting from the base portion, a sealing portion for sealing a
tip portion of the cylindrical portion via a tearable weakened
portion, and a cap portion. The weakened portion is torn by turning
the cap portion to separate the sealing portion and the cap portion
from the spout portion and simultaneously open the tip portion of
the cylindrical portion, thereby forming a spout. The cap portion
is shaped to cover the entire cylindrical portion, and the cap
portion and the spout portion include a locking mechanism capable
of locking the cap portion to the spout portion.
Inventors: |
Takeda; Yasuhiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Washida; Kenji; (Iwate, JP) ; Koyama;
Takahiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Mori; Tetsushi;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Takada; Yasuharu; (Tokyo, JP)
; Oguni; Moritoshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Ikeda;
Hirotaka; (Tokyo, JP) ; Mori; Toshihiko;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Ono; Matsutarou; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
FUJIMORI KOGYO CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44010164 |
Appl. No.: |
13/061772 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
September 1, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2009/065262 |
371 Date: |
April 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/6 ;
220/266 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/566 20130101;
B65D 33/1691 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65D 33/2533
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/6 ;
220/266 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/06 20060101
B65D033/06; B65D 41/32 20060101 B65D041/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 3, 2008 |
JP |
2008-226458 |
Dec 19, 2008 |
JP |
2008-323805 |
Feb 4, 2009 |
JP |
2009-024197 |
Feb 26, 2009 |
JP |
2009-044058 |
Claims
1. A packaging bag formed by sealing peripheral portions of a
plurality of film pieces and including an inlet portion and a spout
portion at the peripheral portions, characterized in that: the
inlet portion is opened as an inlet port by cutting off parts of
the peripheral portions of the sealed film pieces to form an
aperture by an unsealed portion, at least two holes are formed at
the opposite sides of a part which becomes the inlet port at the
peripheral portions near the inlet portion, and the holes serve as
a suspension means for enabling the packaging bag to be suspended
and a finger holding means.
2. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein a part of the
inlet portion on a line connecting the holes at the opposite sides
of the part that becomes the inlet port is made more rigid than
other parts.
3. The packaging bag according to claim 2, wherein an openable and
closable linear fastener portion is formed in the inlet portion on
the line connecting the holes at the opposite sides of the part
that becomes the inlet port.
4. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the holes are
circular or substantially circular holes having a diameter in the
range of 8 to 30 mm.
5. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein peripheral edge
portions of the holes are formed by perforation Or half-cutting
while leaving parts thereof uncut, the perforation or half-cutting
is torn when the packaging bag is used, and the holes are formed in
a state where parts of the film pieces are connected to a packaging
bag main body.
6. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the holes are
slits having a length in the range of 30 to 60 mm.
7. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the film pieces
at peripheral edge portions of the holes are not sealed.
8. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein parts of the
holes that become upper edge portions when the holes are used as
the finger holding means have a downward convex shape.
9. The packaging bag according to claim 8, wherein the film pieces
at the upper edge portions of the holes are not sealed.
10. The packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the holes is so arranged that the spout portion is located at a
substantially vertically lower position when the packaging bag is
suspended using the hole as the suspension means.
11. A packaging bag in which a containing portion is formed by
sealing a peripheral portion of one or more film pieces and the
packaging bag is opened by cutting off a part of the peripheral
portion of the sealed film piece to form an aperture by an unsealed
portion, characterized in that: an openable and closable closure
means including first and second members engageable with each other
and extending over the entire width of the aperture and an easily
peelable portion which extends over the entire width of the
aperture, is adapted to isolate the closure means from the
containing portion before opening and is peeled open to open the
aperture at the time of opening are provided at the aperture, the
closure means is formed by bonding an upper part of a first base
member including the first member and an upper part of a second
base member including the second member respectively to inner sides
of film pieces forming the aperture and facing each other, and a
bottom end portion of one base member is formed to be longer than
that of the other base member and bonded to the other film piece
opposite thereto by an easily peelable seal, thereby forming the
easily peelable portion.
12. The packaging bag according to claim 11, wherein the first and
second base members are not exposed at an outer edge portion of a
sealed portion formed by sealing the peripheral portion of the film
piece.
13. The packaging bag according to claim 11, wherein the closure
means is a fastener seal projecting from a base portion and
including a male first member and a female second member.
14. The packaging bag according to claim 13, wherein the closure
means is formed such that a tip portion of the male first member
has an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction, a recess of a tip portion of the female
second member has substantially the same cross sectional shape
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as the tip portion of
the first member, and a clearance is formed between the tip portion
of the first member and that of the second member only near a base
portion of the first member when the first and second members are
engaged.
15. The packaging bag according to claim 11, wherein an easily
openable portion for enabling the peripheral portion of the film
piece to be easily cut off is provided in a part which becomes an
aperture and so formed that an opening end position cut off using
the easily openable portion differs between the film pieces.
16. The packaging bag according to any one of claim 11, comprising
a spout portion at the peripheral portion of the sealed film
piece.
17. A spout member, comprising: a spout portion including a base
portion and a cylindrical portion projecting from the base portion;
a sealing portion for sealing a tip portion of the cylindrical
portion via a tearable weakened portion; and a cap portion, the
weakened portion being torn by turning the cap portion to separate
the sealing portion and the cap portion from the spout portion and
simultaneously open the tip portion of the cylindrical portion,
thereby forming a spout, wherein: the cap portion is shaped to
cover the entire cylindrical portion, and the cap portion and the
spout portion include a locking mechanism capable of locking the
cap portion to the spout portion.
18. The spout member according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of
annular projecting portions for locking a tube are formed on an
outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the spout portion.
19. The spout member according to claim 17, wherein the cap portion
is capable of resealing the spout.
20. The spout member according to claim 17, wherein the weakened
portion is formed by a thinned portion having a thickness of 0.15
mm or more and below 0.2 mm.
21. A packaging bag in which a containing portion is formed by a
first sealing portion formed by sealing a peripheral portion of one
or more film pieces and a spout member sealing portion is provided
at the peripheral portion, characterized in that: the spout member
sealing portion is formed by arranging the spout member according
to claim 17 between two film pieces forming the packaging bag such
that the cylindrical portion of the spout portion projects from the
containing portion, fixing the base portion of the spout portion
between the film pieces in the first sealing portion, and sealing
the cap portion by a second sealing portion formed by sealing the
film pieces around the cap portion such that the cap portion is
sandwiched between the film pieces, and the spout is opened and the
cap portion is separated from the spout portion by cutting off the
film pieces forming the spout member sealing portion at a side more
toward a tip of the spout member than the base portion of the spout
member and simultaneously turning the cap portion of the spout
member together with the film pieces.
22. The packaging bag according to claim 21, comprising an easily
openable portion used to cut off the film pieces forming the spout
member sealing portion at the side more toward the tip of the spout
member than the base portion of the spout member.
23. The packaging bag according to claim 21, wherein the easily
openable portion is formed such that an opening end cut off using
the easily openable portion is so curved as to be closer to the
base portion of the spout portion at an intermediate part than at
an opening start position and an opening end position.
24. The packaging bag according to claim 21, wherein the easily
openable portion is provided at a position more toward a tip of the
cap portion than a skirt portion of the cap portion.
25. The packaging bag according to claim 21, comprising an inlet
portion at the peripheral portion of the sealed film piece.
26. The packaging bag according to claim 1, characterized by being
for a tube-feeding enteral liquid diet.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a spout member to be
attached to a packaging bag, particularly a packaging bag for
containing a tube-feeding enteral nutrient, tube-feeding enteral
liquid diet, or the like which bag is opened by cutting off parts
of peripheral portions of sealed film pieces to form an aperture or
includes a spout for discharging a contained content, and a
packaging bag using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Tube-feeding enteral nutrients (abbreviated as nutrients in
some cases below) and tube-feeding enteral liquid diets
(abbreviated as liquid diets in some cases below) are used while
being contained in various packaging containers such as cans, paper
containers, pouches and bottles. Above all, pouch-type packaging
bags have excellent sealing property and handling property and are
widely used. A pouch-type packaging bag generally includes a spout,
and administration is performed by connecting a tube to the spout.
Particularly, in the case of a nutrient or liquid diet, it is a
general practice to use it after diluting it according to a
patient's condition at the time of first introduction and to supply
lacking medicine or water when the condition is stable. In such a
case, some packaging bags are such that another member such as a
molded member is attached to a peripheral edge portion of a
packaging bag to serve as a spout (see patent literature 1 below).
However, there are problems of increasing material cost and
attaching cost and difficult handling because packaging bags become
bulky upon being stacked up particularly when spouts are large due
to the fact that another member is tucked in the peripheral edge
portion. Thus, packaging bags in each of which a part of the
packaging bag is cut off to form a spout are also widely used (see
patent literature 2 below).
[0003] However, when the spout is formed by cutting off the part of
the packaging bag as described above, holding of a pouch becomes
unstable with a liquid content contained unless there is any
reliable holding means for enabling handling of the pouch. Further,
it is also difficult to cut off the part of the pouch and to
perform an operation of supplying water and medicine. In addition
to problems of dropping and tilting the packaging bag to spill out
the contained content, there have been also problems in hygiene
management such as contamination of an inlet port such as by
contact with the interior of the packaging bag and opening of the
packaging bag more than necessary.
[0004] Further, a closure means such as a fastener seal provided at
an aperture beforehand may be opened due to an inner pressure of a
contained content at the time of storage or transportation and the
contained content may attach to engaging parts to result in
insufficient engagement or contaminate the contained content. Thus,
there have been developed bags in which a closure means is
separated from a contained content before opening and an easily
peelable portion which is peeled open at the time of opening is
provided (see patent literatures 3 and 4 below).
[0005] Conventionally, such an easily peelable portion is formed by
bonding film pieces forming a packaging bag by a peelable seal.
However, if an inner pressure acts in a packaging bag such as due
to a fall at the time of storage or transportation, the easily
peelable portion may be peeled open and its original purpose may
not be fulfilled.
[0006] There are also packaging bags in which an easily peelable
portion is provided at a part which becomes an aperture for the
purpose of clearly showing opening by the peel opening of the
easily peelable portion or reducing an inner pressure by the
breakage of the easily peelable portion (see patent literatures 5,
6 below), but these packaging bags are not for preventing the
easily peelable portion from being peeled open due to an inner
pressure in the packaging bag.
[0007] Further, packaging bags each having another member such as a
molded part as a spout member attached to a peripheral edge portion
of the packaging bag beforehand to easily discharge a contained
content are widely used. The spout member may be contaminated by
being exposed to outside air and dust if it exposed to the outside
of the packaging bag before opening such as at the time of
transportation and storage. Further, H.sub.2O, O.sub.2 and the like
may permeate through the spout member to cause oxidation,
deterioration and the like of a contained content such as vitamin
destruction. Due to such susceptibility to problems in hygiene
management and quality management, a spout member is sealed between
film pieces in some packaging bags (see patent literatures 7,
8).
[0008] However, any of, the spout members of the packaging bags
disclosed in patent literatures below has a possibility that hands,
fingers and the like touch the vicinity of the spout at the time of
opening. Further, although the spout member is re-closable after
being opened, it has to be used after being taken out from the
separated film pieces, which presents problems in handling property
and contamination preventing property.
[0009] Further, the spout member is easily movable even when being
sealed in the packaging bag and subject to damage due to an
external impact.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[Patent Literature 1]
[0010] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-105696
[Patent Literature 2]
[0010] [0011] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2005-206221
[Patent Literature 3]
[0011] [0012] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2005-154017
[Patent Literature 4]
[0012] [0013] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2005-40630
[Patent Literature 5]
[0013] [0014] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2006-315760
[Patent Literature 6]
[0014] [0015] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2002-225889
[Patent Literature 7]
[0015] [0016] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
H10-305850
[Patent Literature 8]
[0016] [0017] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
H11-130153
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0018] The present invention aims to provide a spout member used
for a packaging bag which is opened by cutting off parts of
peripheral portions of sealed film pieces to form an aperture, in
which a closure means for freely opening and closing the aperture
is protected from a contained content at the time of storage or
transportation, and which has excellent protecting property even
when an inner pressure acts in the packaging bag and excellent
handling property and hygiene management performance at the time of
supplying water or the like from the outside before, after and
during use such as administration of water or medicine and includes
a spout, the spout member having excellent contamination preventing
property until the spout is opened and excellent contamination
preventing property and handling property after the spout is
opened, and to provide a packaging bag using such a spout
member.
Solution to Problem
[0019] The present invention has the following constructions to
solve the above problem.
[0020] (1) In a packaging bag formed by sealing peripheral portions
of a plurality of film pieces and including an inlet portion and a
spout portion at the peripheral portions, the inlet portion is
opened as an inlet port by cutting off parts of the peripheral
portions of the sealed film pieces to form an aperture by an
unsealed portion, at least two holes are formed at the opposite
sides of a part which becomes the inlet port at the peripheral
portions near the inlet portion, and the holes serve as a
suspension means for enabling the packaging bag to be suspended and
a finger holding means.
[0021] (2) In the packaging bag according to (1), a part of the
inlet portion on a line connecting the holes at the opposite sides
of the part that becomes the inlet port is made more rigid than
other parts.
[0022] (3) In the packaging bag according to (2), an openable and
closable linear fastener portion is formed in the inlet portion on
the line connecting the holes at the opposite sides of the part
that becomes the inlet port.
[0023] (4) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (3),
the holes are circular or substantially circular holes having a
diameter in the range of 8 to 30 mm.
[0024] (5) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (3),
peripheral edge portions of the holes are formed by perforation or
half-cutting while leaving parts thereof uncut, the perforation or
half-cutting is torn when the packaging bag is used, and the holes
are formed in a state where parts of the film pieces are connected
to a packaging bag main body.
[0025] (6) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (3),
the holes are slits having a length in the range of 30 to 60
mm.
[0026] (7) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (6),
the film pieces at peripheral edge portions of the holes are not
sealed.
[0027] (8) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (3),
parts of the holes that become upper edge portions when the holes
are used as the finger holding means have a downward convex
shape.
[0028] (9) In the packaging bag according to (8), the film pieces
at the upper edge portions of the holes are not sealed.
[0029] (10) In the packaging bag according to any one of (1) to
(9), at least one of the holes is so arranged that the spout
portion is located at a substantially vertically lower position
when the packaging bag is suspended, using the hole as the
suspension means.
[0030] (11) In a packaging bag in which a containing portion is
formed by sealing a peripheral portion of one or more film pieces
and the packaging bag is opened by cutting off a part of the
peripheral portion of the sealed film piece to form an aperture by
an unsealed portion, an openable and closable closure means
including first and second members engageable with each other and
extending over the entire width of the aperture and an easily
peelable portion which extends over the entire width of the
aperture, is adapted to isolate the closure means from the
containing portion before opening and is peeled open to open the
aperture at the time of opening are provided at the aperture; the
closure means is formed by bonding an upper part of a first base
member including the first member and an upper part of a second
base member including the second member respectively to inner sides
of film pieces forming the aperture and facing each other; and a
bottom end portion of one base member is formed to be longer than
that of the other base member and bonded to the other film piece
opposite thereto by an easily peelable seal, thereby forming the
easily peelable portion.
[0031] (12) In the packaging bag according to (11), the first and
second base members are not exposed at an outer edge portion of a
sealed portion formed by sealing the peripheral portion of the film
piece.
[0032] (13) In the packaging bag according to (11) or (12), the
closure means is a fastener seal projecting from a base portion and
including a male first member and a female second member.
[0033] (14) In the packaging bag according to (13), the closure
means is formed such that a tip portion of the male first member
has an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction, a recess of a tip portion of the female
second member has substantially the same cross sectional shape
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as the tip portion of
the first member, and a clearance is formed between the tip portion
of the first member and that of the second member only near a base
portion of the first member when the first and second members are
engaged.
[0034] (15) In the packaging bag according to any one of (11) to
(14), an easily openable portion for enabling the peripheral
portion of the film piece to be easily cut off is provided in a
part which becomes an aperture and so formed that an opening end
position cut off using the easily openable portion differs between
the film pieces.
[0035] (16) In the packaging bag according to any one of (11) to
(15), a spout portion is provided at the peripheral portion of the
sealed film piece.
[0036] (17) A spout member comprises a spout portion including a
base portion and a cylindrical portion projecting from the base
portion; a sealing portion for sealing a tip portion of the
cylindrical portion via a tearable weakened portion; and a cap
portion, the weakened portion being torn by turning the cap portion
to separate the sealing portion and the cap portion from the spout
portion and simultaneously open the tip portion of the cylindrical
portion, thereby forming a spout, wherein the cap portion is shaped
to cover the entire cylindrical portion, and the cap portion and
the spout portion include a locking mechanism capable of locking
the cap portion to the spout portion.
[0037] (18) In the spout member according to (17), a plurality of
annular projecting portions for locking a tube are formed on an
outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the spout portion.
[0038] (19) In the spout member according to (17) or (18), the cap
portion is capable of resealing the spout.
[0039] (20) In the spout member according to any one of (17) to
(19), the weakened portion is formed by a thinned portion having a
thickness of 0.15 mm or more and below 0.2 mm.
[0040] (21) In a packaging bag in which a containing portion is
formed by a first sealing portion formed by sealing a peripheral
portion of one or more film pieces and a spout member sealing
portion is provided at the peripheral portion, the spout member
sealing portion is formed by arranging the spout member according
to (17) between two film pieces forming the packaging bag such that
the cylindrical portion Of the spout portion projects from the
containing portion, fixing the base portion of the spout portion
between the film pieces in the first sealing portion, and sealing
the cap portion by a second sealing portion formed by sealing the
film pieces around the cap portion such that the cap portion is
sandwiched between the film pieces; and the spout is opened and the
cap portion is separated from the spout portion by cutting off the
film pieces forming the spout member sealing portion at a side more
toward a tip of the spout member than the base portion of the spout
member and simultaneously turning the cap portion of the spout
member together with the film pieces.
[0041] (22) In the packaging bag according to (21), an easily
openable portion used to cut off the film pieces forming the spout
member sealing portion is provided at the side more toward the tip
of the spout member than the base portion of the spout member.
[0042] (23) In the packaging bag according to (21) or (22), the
easily openable portion is formed such that an opening end cut off
using the easily openable portion is so curved as to be closer to
the base portion of the spout portion at an intermediate part than
at an opening start position and an opening end position.
[0043] (24) In the packaging bag according to any one of (21) to
(23), the easily openable portion is provided at a position more
toward a tip of the cap portion than a skirt portion of the cap
portion.
[0044] (25) In the packaging bag according to any one of (21) to
(24), an inlet portion is provided at the peripheral portion of the
sealed film piece.
[0045] (26) The packaging bag according to any one of (1) to (25)
is for a tube-feeding enteral nutrient or tube-feeding enteral
liquid diet.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0046] In the packaging bag of the present invention, at least two
holes are formed at the part that becomes the inlet port at the
peripheral portions near the inlet portion and function as the
suspension means for enabling the packaging bag to be suspended and
the holding means in an operation of handling the packaging bag.
Thus, upon supplying water or the like from the outside before,
after and during use such as administration of water or medicine,
the packaging bag is stably held to facilitate a cutting operation
and provide excellent handling property and hygiene management
performance. By bonding the bottom end portion of the base member
including the closure means to the opposite other film piece, the
closure means for freely opening and closing the aperture is
isolated from the contained content before opening. Thus, the
packaging bag is protected from contamination and the like by the
contained content at the time of storage or transportation to
provide excellent hygiene management performance and handling
property. Further, even if an inner pressure acts in the packaging
bag, a pressure is unlikely to act to peel open the easily peelable
portion bonding the bottom end portion of the base member,
wherefore pressure resistance is excellent. Further, since the
above protecting property and pressure resistance can be easily
realized by the base member including the closure means,
manufacturing is easy and cost performance is excellent. Since the
spout member of the present invention includes the cap portion
capable of sealing the spout before opening and covering the spout
also after opening, contamination preventing property and handling
property are excellent at the time of and after opening. Further,
since the spout member is sealed and sandwiched in the packaging
bag of the present invention, hygiene and control management
performances until opening and breakage preventing property of the
sealing portion for sealing the spout are excellent, and the spout
member can be opened without being touched, wherefore contamination
preventing property is excellent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0047] FIG. 1 is a front view of a packaging bag as an example of
an embodiment of the present invention,
[0048] FIG. 2 is a sectional view along A-A of the packaging bag of
FIG. 1,
[0049] FIG. 3 is a view of the packaging bag of FIG. 1 showing a
state where a contained content is discharged in a suspended
state,
[0050] FIG. 4 is a view of the packaging bag of FIG. 1 showing a
state where an inlet portion is opened,
[0051] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing another example of an
embodiment of a hole in the present invention,
[0052] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing another example of the
embodiment of the hole in the present invention,
[0053] FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) are enlarged views showing another
example of the embodiment of the hole in the present invention and
FIG. 7(e) is an enlarged view showing a state where perforation or
half-cutting of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) is torn to form the hole,
[0054] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing another example of a
means for opening a spout,
[0055] FIG. 9 is a front view of a packaging bag as another example
of the embodiment of the present invention,
[0056] FIG. 10 is a front view of a packaging bag as another
example of the embodiment of the present invention,
[0057] FIG. 11 is a front view of a packaging bag as another
example of the embodiment of the present invention,
[0058] FIG. 12 is a front view of a packaging bag as another
example of the embodiment of the present invention,
[0059] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a hole in the packaging bag
of FIG. 12,
[0060] FIG. 14 is a front view of a packaging bag as an example of
the embodiment of the present invention,
[0061] FIG. 15 is a view showing the construction of a part of the
packaging bag of FIG. 14 cut along X-X,
[0062] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a part, which becomes an
aperture at the time of opening, in the packaging bag of FIG.
14,
[0063] FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the construction of a
fastener seal as an example of an embodiment of a closure
means,
[0064] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of an aperture at the time of
opening,
[0065] FIG. 19 is a view showing a state where opening end
positions after opening are shifted between films,
[0066] FIG. 20 is a front view of a spout member as an example of
an embodiment of the present invention,
[0067] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the spout member of FIG. 20
when viewed from front,
[0068] FIG. 22 is a sectional view along X-X of the spout member of
FIG. 20,
[0069] FIG. 23(a) is a front view of a tap portion after the spout
member of FIG. 20 is opened, FIG. 23(b) is a bottom view of the cap
portion of FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 23(c) is a top view of the cap
portion of FIG. 23(a),
[0070] FIG. 24(a) is a front view of a spout portion after the
spout member of FIG. 20 is opened and FIG. 24(b) is a bottom view
of the spout portion of FIG. 24(a),
[0071] FIG. 25 is a front view showing an example of an embodiment
of a packaging bag including the spout member of FIG. 20,
[0072] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a spout member sealing
portion of the packaging bag of FIG. 25, and
[0073] FIG. 27 is a sectional view along Y-Y of the spout member
sealing portion of FIG. 26.
EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0074] The present invention is described in more detail below with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a front view of a packaging
bag as an example of an embodiment of the present invention and
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along A-A of the packaging bag of
FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a main portion of a packaging bag 1 is
formed by sealing peripheral portions 2 of two film pieces 1a, 1a
as a sealed portion (shown by hatching in FIG. 1) by fusing or the
like. After a peripheral portion of the packaging bag is sealed
while leaving a part thereof as an unsealed portion, a contained
content is filled into the packaging bag using the unsealed portion
as a filling port and then the unsealed portion is sealed. FIG. 14
shows a front view of a packaging bag as an example of an
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 shows the construction
of the packaging bag of FIG. 14 cut along X-X, and FIG. 16 shows an
enlarged view of a part, which becomes an aperture at the time of
opening, in the packaging bag of FIG. 14. In FIGS. 14 to 16, a main
portion of a packaging bag 53 is formed by sealing peripheral
portions 54 of two film pieces 53a, 53a as a sealed portion (shown
by hatching in FIG. 14) by fusing or the like, whereby a containing
portion 55 is formed. After a peripheral portion of the packaging
bag is sealed while leaving a part thereof as an unsealed portion,
a contained content is filled into the packaging bag using the
unsealed portion as a filling port and then the unsealed portion is
sealed. FIG. 20 is a front view of a spout member as an example of
an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a sectional view
of the spout member when viewed from front. FIG. 22 is a sectional
view along X-X of the spout member. FIG. 23(a) is a front view of a
cap portion after the spout member of FIG. 20 is opened, FIG. 23(b)
is a bottom view of the cap portion of FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 23(c) is
a top view of the cap portion of FIG. 23(a). FIG. 24(a) is a front
view of a spout portion after the spout member of FIG. 20 is opened
and FIG. 24(b) is a bottom view of the spout portion of FIG.
24(a).
[0075] An inlet portion 3 and a spout portion 4 are provided at the
peripheral portion 2 of the packaging bag 1. The inlet portion 3 is
provided at an upper side portion 2a of the peripheral portion 2
and an unsealed portion of the interior of the packaging bag
projects upward by making sealed portions 2b, 2b at the opposite
ends of the upper side portion 2a wide and becomes an inlet port
after opening. At the inlet portion 3 is provided an easily
openable portion 6 crossing from one sealed portion to the other
sealed portion at an opposite side through the unsealed portion
that becomes the spout. By gripping one end of an upper side of the
easily openable portion 6 and pulling it along the easily openable
portion 6 to cut off upper side portions of the sealed film pieces
(a part of the peripheral portion), an aperture is formed by the
unsealed portion to become an inlet port 3a, whereby the inlet
portion is opened. The easily openable portion 6 is formed by
half-cutting such as through laser irradiation. If the easily
openable portion 6 is so formed that traces thereof in the
respective two film pieces 1a, 1a forming the packaging bag 1
differ, opening end positions cut off along the easily openable
portion 6 can be shifted between the film pieces, whereby the
respective film pieces are more easily pinched and the inlet port
is more easily opened. Note that, in the packaging bag 1 of FIG. 1,
an openable and closable linear fastener portion 7 and an easily
peelable portion 8 are formed at the unsealed portion on a line
connecting holes 5, 5 to be described later. The linear fastener
portion 7 is provided to close the inlet port after a pouring
operation to facilitate a hygiene management, and the easily
peelable portion 8 is provided to increase sealing property before
the inlet port is opened. Actually, after the upper side portions
of the film pieces are cut off by the easily openable portion 6,
the easily peelable portion 8 is peeled open to completely open the
inlet port.
[0076] In the packaging bag 1, two holes 5, 5 penetrating through
the film pieces are formed in the sealed portions 2b, 2b on the
opposite ends of the upper side portion, which becomes a peripheral
portion near the inlet portion 3, at the opposite sides of the
inlet port 3a. The holes 5, 5 are a suspension means for enabling
the packaging bag to be suspended. As shown in FIG. 3, the
packaging bag 1 is suspended by hooking one of the holes 5, 5 on a
jig (denoted by 20 in FIG. 3) such as at the time of discharge from
the spout portion to be described later, whereby the spout portion
4 is arranged at a bottom side so that a contained content can be
easily discharged from the spout portion 4 (indicated by an arrow
in FIG. 3). Further, water and medicine can be easily supplied
through the inlet port 3a formed by opening the inlet portion 3
arranged at an upper side. By forming the holes 5, 5 in such a size
that fingers are insertable, the holes 5, 5 also serve as a finger
holding means which makes handling of the packaging bag more
reliable. Specifically, for example, upon opening the inlet portion
3, the inlet port 3a can be formed as shown in FIG. 4 by inserting
a thumb into one of the holes 5, 5 and another finger (e.g. index
finger) into the other hole to hold the packaging bag 1 by one hand
with the inlet portion 3 located at the upper side and by cutting
the easily openable portion to open the inlet port as described
above by the other hand. Water and medicine can be supplied through
the thus formed inlet port 3a as indicated by an arrow in FIG.
4.
[0077] In the present invention, by providing two or more holes at
the opposite sides of the part, which becomes the inlet port, as
the finger holding means for the packaging bag as described above,
the packaging bag, particularly the vicinity of the inlet port can
be reliably held by one hand with the inlet port opened. Thus,
water and the like can be easily supplied and various problems such
as spill of the contained content caused by a fall or tilt of the
packaging bag, contamination of the inlet port Caused by contact
with the interior of the packaging bag and the like and opening
more than necessary can be reduced. Further, by using the holes
also as the suspension means that enables the packaging bag to be
suspended, the holding means can be easily formed without adding a
separate member or the like. It is also possible to stably perform
an opening operation by inserting a finger into one hole to hold
the packaging bag while using the other hole as the suspension
means.
[0078] The inlet portion of the packaging bag of the present
invention is formed such that parts of the peripheral portions of
the sealed film pieces are cut off to form the aperture, which
becomes the inlet port, by the unsealed portion other than
attaching a separate member such as a molded part to the peripheral
portion. If the inlet port has a large diameter, the molded part as
the member to be attached becomes larger. Thus, packaging bags
become bulky when being stacked up for storage or transportation
both before and after contained contents are contained, which is
inconvenient. If the above construction is employed, packaging bags
each including a large-diameter inlet port do not become bulky, are
easily transported and can be manufactured at low cost. As compared
with the case of using a molded part, the above construction of the
inlet portion is subject to problems such as instability at the
time of opening since the film pieces are cut off by being pulled
by hand or using scissors or the like, the spill of the contained
content caused by a fall or tilt of the packaging bag at the time
of supplying water or the like, and contamination of the inlet port
caused by contact with the interior of the packaging bag. However,
the packaging bag can be stably held since two or more holes are
formed at the opposite sides of the part, which becomes the inlet
port, in the present invention.
[0079] It is sufficient to form at least two holes at the opposite
sides of the part that becomes the inlet port. For example, three
or more holes may be formed in consideration of the size of a
packaging bag and a hand size difference. The arrangement of the
holes is not particularly limited so long as the packaging bag can
be more stably held by fingers substantially at the opposite sides
of the part that becomes the inlet port.
[0080] The shape of the holes is not particularly limited so long
as fingers are insertable at the time of handling the packaging
bag. Circular or substantially circular holes like the holes 5 in
the packaging bag of FIG. 1 or slits (denoted by 12 in FIG. 5) as
shown in FIG. 5 may be formed. The size of the holes is preferably
in the range of 8 to 30 mm in diameter in the case of circular or
substantially circular holes and in the range of 30 to 60 mm in
length in the case of slits because such holes do not cause any
problem in strength and enable easy insertion of fingers and easy
holding. Further, the film pieces may not be sealed around the
holes as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, an unsealed part (unsealed
portion) is denoted by 16. By not sealing the film pieces around
the holes, seal edges caused by bending of end portions of the film
pieces are unlikely to directly touch fingers even if the fingers
are inserted since the unsealed portions are softer and more
flexible than sealed portions. Thus, the fingers do not get sore.
The width of the unsealed portions is appropriately set according
to the sizes of the packaging bag and the holes and the like.
Further, instead of forming the hole penetrating through the film
pieces, a hole may be formed by perforating a peripheral edge
portion thereof while leaving a part thereof unperforated (denoted
by 13, 13' and 13'' in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c)) as shown in FIGS. 7(a)
to 7(c) or by half-cutting (denoted by 13''' in FIG. 7(d)) as shown
in FIG. 7(d), and perforation or half-cutting may be torn when the
packaging bag is used to obtain a state where parts (denoted by 14
in FIG. 7(e)) of the film pieces are connected to the packaging bag
main body as shown in FIG. 7(e). The film pieces connected to the
packaging bag main body are folded and end portions of the film
pieces are unlikely to touch a finger and, hence, the finger does
not get sore. If the parts of the film pieces are connected to the
packaging bag main body at an upper position, the packaging bag is
held at the folded parts of the film pieces, which is more
preferable. To make the perforation or half-cutting easily
tearable, some of perforated or half-cut holes may be through
holes.
[0081] A part of the hole which becomes an upper edge portion when
the hole is used as the finger holding means may have a downward
convex shape. With such a shape, the convex upper edge portion is
bent when being held by the finger, the packaging bag is held at
folded parts of the film pieces, and end portions of the film
pieces are unlikely to touch the finger, which is preferable since
the finger does not get sore. The film pieces at the upper edge
portion of the hole may not be sealed to become an unsealed
portion. If the film pieces at the upper edge portion of the hole
are not sealed, the convex upper edge portion is more easily bent,
which is more preferable, since the unsealed portion is softer and
more flexible than the sealed portion.
[0082] FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment in the case where parts
of the holes that become the upper edge portions when the holes are
used as the finger holding means have a downward convex shape. FIG.
12 is a front view of a packaging bag as another example of the
embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 13 is an enlarged view
of a hole in the packaging bag of FIG. 12. Note that the packaging
bag of FIG. 12 differs from the packaging bag of FIG. 1 in the
shape of the holes 5 and parts having the same constructions as the
packaging bag of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Each hole 50 in the packaging bag of FIG. 12 is formed such that a
part 50a which becomes a lower edge portion when the hole 50 is
used as a finger holding means has a semicircular shape and a part
50b which becomes an upper edge portion has a downward convex shape
(convex portion 51) as shown in FIG. 13. Further, film pieces at
the upper edge portion of the hole 50 are unsealed portions 52. In
the case of the above construction, so long as the part of the hole
that becomes the upper edge portion when the hole is used as the
finger holding means has a downward convex shape, the shape of the
hole other than the upper edge portion is not particularly limited
and may be a circular, substantially circular, elliptical,
substantially elliptical, substantially rectangular or like shape
or a combination of these shapes. Further, the convex shape of the
upper edge portion and the range of the unsealed portions are not
particularly limited within such a range as not to prevent an
effect that the folded end portions of the film pieces are unlikely
to touch the finger.
[0083] In the present invention, a part of the inlet portion on a
line connecting the holes at the opposite sides of the part that
becomes the inlet port is preferably made more rigid than other
parts to increase stability and facilitate a handling operation
when the packaging bag is held by fingers. By employing such a
construction, the film pieces of the packaging bag main body are
unlikely to be wrinkled at the time of opening, thereby
facilitating an opening operation. In addition, the inlet port is
opened only by being lightly pushed from left and right sides by
the fingers inserted in the holes of the holding means after
opening, wherefore a pouring operation can be more stably and
easily performed. After the pouring operation, the inlet port
returns to its original shape only by relaxing the finger force,
which is preferable also in hygiene management.
[0084] As a method for making the part on the line connecting the
holes at the opposite sides of the part that becomes the inlet port
more rigid than other parts, there is a method for forming an
openable and closable linear fastener portion on the line
connecting the holes at the opposite sides of the part that becomes
the inlet port. The linear fastener portion has advantages of easy
hygiene management because the inlet port can be closed after the
supply through the inlet port and, simultaneously, can increase the
rigidity on the line. Besides, a member having a higher rigidity
than the film pieces forming the packaging bag may be attached in a
strip on the line.
[0085] The packaging bag of the present invention includes the
spout portion aside from the inlet portion at the peripheral
portion 2. The spout portion needs to be so arranged that the
contained content can be discharged in a suspended state since the
packaging bag is suspended by the suspension means at the time of
discharge, and is preferably provided at a position facing the
suspension means, i.e. at a position facing the inlet port. In FIG.
1, a lower end portion of the packaging bag main body is slanted
inwardly and the spout portion 4 is provided on one side of the
slanted part. If the packaging bag 1 is suspended such as by
hooking one of the holes 5 as the suspension means that doubles as
the holding means on a jig, the spout portion 4 is arranged at a
substantially vertically lower position, whereby the contained
content is easily discharged from the spout portion 4 and easily
supplied through the inlet port 3a formed by opening the inlet
portion 3 arranged at the upper side. In the packaging bag of the
present invention, it is preferable to arrange the spout portion at
the substantially vertically lower position when the packaging bag
is suspended using at least one of the holes as the suspension
means as described above.
[0086] In the packaging bag 1 of FIG. 1, the spout portion 4 is
formed by attaching a base portion of a molded spout member 4a to
the packaging bag main body by thermal bonding or the like so that
the tip of the spout member 4a projects out from the packaging bag
main body. Although not shown, a tip portion of the spout member 4a
is sealed by a cap or the like until opening. At the time of
discharge, a tube or the like is connected to the spout to
discharge the contained content to the outside after the cap or the
like is removed to open the spout portion, thereby forming the
spout.
[0087] In the present invention, the construction of the spout
portion is not limited to the above. Besides, a pipe may be tucked
in between the film pieces forming the packaging bag main body and
exposed by cutting off parts of the film pieces, and a tube or the
like may be connected to an end of the pipe to discharge the
contained content to the outside. The material, size and attachment
method of the above spout member are not particularly limited so
long as the contained content is not affected and desired sealing
property can be ensured.
[0088] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the easily openable portion 6
crossing from one sealed portion to the other sealed portion at the
opposite side through the unsealed portion that becomes the inlet
port is provided at the inlet portion 3. It is preferable to
provide the packaging bag of the present invention with the easily
openable portion for opening the inlet portion because the opening
operation can be more stably performed. As the easily openable
portion, a curved cut is formed in an end portion of the sealed
portion and a straight easily tearable part is provided to enable
easy tearing by hand from the cut in the above embodiment of FIG.
1. The cut may be straight or triangular. For lower cost, only a
cut as denoted by 6' in FIG. 8 may be formed or an opening position
to be cut by scissors or the like may be clearly indicated by
printing or the like.
[0089] In the packaging bag of the present invention, a through
hole formed in the sealed portion or a separately formed suspension
means such as a hook may be provided in addition to the above
suspension means that doubles as the holding means.
Second Embodiment
[0090] The packaging bag of the present invention is not limited to
the above embodiment, and the following arrangement of the inlet
portion and the spout portion may be, for example, cited as the one
that enables the contained content to be discharged when the
packaging bag is suspended. FIG. 9 shows a front view of a
packaging bag as another example of the embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 9, a main portion of a packaging bag 21 is
formed by sealing peripheral portions 22 of two film pieces as a
sealed portion (shown by hatching in FIG. 9) by fusing or the like.
An inlet portion 23 and a spout portion 24 are provided at the
peripheral portion 22 of the packaging bag 21. The inlet portion 23
is provided at one corner of an upper side portion 22a of the
peripheral portion 22 and an unsealed portion, which becomes an
inlet port, projects at a corner portion of the packaging bag. Two
holes 25, 25 penetrating through the film pieces are formed at the
sealed portion at the opposite sides of the unsealed portion and
serve as a suspension means at the time of discharge and a finger
holding means when the packaging bag is handled. The spout portion
24 is provided at one lateral portion facing the inlet port.
Third Embodiment
[0091] FIG. 10 shows a front view of a packaging bag as another
example of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a
main portion of a packaging bag 31 is formed by sealing peripheral
portions 32 of two film pieces as a sealed portion (shown by
hatching in FIG. 10) by fusing or the like. An inlet portion 33 and
a spout portion 34 are provided at the peripheral portion 32 of the
packaging bag 31. The inlet portion 33 is constructed similarly to
the inlet portion 3 of the packaging bag 1 of FIG. 1 and provided
at an upper side portion 32a of the peripheral portion 32. Two
holes 35, 35 penetrating through the film pieces are formed at the
sealed portion at the opposite sides of an unsealed portion which
becomes an unsealed portion, and serve as a suspension means at the
time of discharge and a finger holding means when the packaging bag
is handled. The spout portion 34 is provided at a bottom piece
portion facing the inlet port.
Fourth Embodiment
[0092] FIG. 11 shows a front view of a packaging bag as another
example of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, a
main portion of a packaging bag 41 is formed by sealing peripheral
portions 42 of two film pieces as a sealed portion (shown by
hatching in FIG. 11) by fusing or the like. An inlet portion 43 and
a spout portion 44 are provided at the peripheral portion 42 of the
packaging bag 41. The inlet portion 43 is provided at one corner of
an upper side portion 42a of the peripheral portion 42 and projects
obliquely upward from a corner portion of the packaging bag. Sealed
portions bulge out to the left and right at the opposite sides of
an unsealed portion which becomes an inlet port, and two holes 45,
45 penetrating through the film pieces are formed at the sealed
portions at the opposite sides of the unsealed portion that becomes
the inlet port. The holes 45, 45 serve as a suspension means at the
time of discharge and a finger holding means when the packaging bag
is handled. The spout portion 44 and a filling port are constructed
similarly to those of the packaging bag of FIG. 1. By shaping the
inlet portion to project obliquely upward from the corner portion
of the packaging bag, a pouring operation can be more easily
performed.
Fifth Embodiment
[0093] A part 56 which becomes an aperture at the time of opening
is formed in an upper side of a packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14. An
easily openable portion 58 crossing from one sealed portion to the
other sealed portion at an opposite side through an unsealed
portion 57 which becomes the aperture is provided at the part 56
that becomes the aperture. By gripping one end of an upper side of
the easily openable portion 58 and pulling it along the easily
openable portion 58 to cut off upper side portions of the sealed
film pieces (a part of the peripheral portion), the aperture is
fainted by the unsealed portion to open the packaging bag. The
easily openable portion 58 is formed by half-cutting such as
through laser irradiation. Note that the easily openable portion 58
is so fainted that traces thereof in respective two film pieces
53a, 53a forming the packaging bag 53 differ and opening end
positions cut off along the easily openable portion 58 are shifted
between the film pieces. Thus, the respective film pieces are more
easily pinched and the inlet port is more easily opened.
[0094] In the packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14, a fastener seal 59 as an
openable and closable closure means including first and second
members engageable with each other and extending over the entire
width of the unsealed portion 57 that becomes the aperture is
provided in the part 56 that becomes the aperture at the time of
opening, and an easily peelable portion 61 is provided at a side of
the fastener seal toward a containing portion 55. The easily
peelable portion 61 extends over the entire width of the unsealed
portion 57 that becomes the aperture, isolates the fastener seal 59
from the containing portion 55 before opening and is peeled open to
open the aperture at the time of opening. The above fastener seal
59 is provided to close the aperture after opening if necessary.
Actually, the fastener seal 59 is opened and the easily peelable
portion 61 is peeled open to completely open the packaging bag 53
of FIG. 14 after the upper side portions of the film pieces are cut
off by the easily openable portion 58.
[0095] The part 56 of the packaging bag of FIG. 14 that becomes the
aperture is constructed as follows. Specifically, the fastener seal
59 (closure means) includes a first member 60a with a male end
portion 67 projecting from a base portion 69 and a second member
60b with a female end portion 68 projecting from a base portion 70
as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, and the end portions 67, 68 are
engaged with each other for closure. The first and second members
60a, 60b are respectively integrally formed to a first base member
65 and a second base member 66. As shown in FIG. 15, an upper part
of the first base member 60a and that of the second base member 66
are bonded to inner sides of the film pieces 53a, 53a forming the
packaging bag, which form the aperture and face each other, by seal
portions 65a, 66a, a bottom end portion of the second base member
66 is formed to be longer than that of the first base member 65,
and a surface of the former bottom end portion opposite to a
surface where the seal portion 66a is formed at the upper side is
bonded to the opposite other film piece 53a by an easily peelable
seal, whereby the easily peelable portion 61 is formed. FIG. 18
shows a sectional view of the aperture at the time of opening. As
shown in FIG. 15, the closure means 59 is isolated from the
containing portion 55 by the bottom end portion of the second base
member 66 as a partition wall before opening, wherefore the
packaging bag is protected from contamination and the like by the
contained content at the time of storage or transportation. Even if
an inner pressure acts in the packaging bag when the packaging bag
is dropped or placed below other packaging bags, a pressure acts on
the second base member 66 in a direction of an arrow A and is
unlikely to act in a direction to peel the easily peelable portion,
wherefore pressure resistance is excellent and a problem such as
breakage of the easily peelable portion is unlikely to occur.
Further, since the closure means and the easily peelable portion
are sealed in the packaging bag by a seal portion 54a at a top side
of the packaging bag, there is no likelihood of contamination of
the closure means 59 from the outside and there are no problems
such as contamination and spill of the contained content due to the
broken easily peelable portion 61.
[0096] In the packaging bag of the present invention, the easily
peelable portion is formed only by causing the base members formed
with the closure means to extend downward and bonding them to the
film pieces to attach the closure means to the film pieces forming
the packaging bag. Thus, the closure means can be isolated from the
contained content to prevent contamination thereof by a simple
structure. Further, as compared with the case of bonding the film
pieces, a pressure is unlikely to act to peel the easily peelable
portion and pressure resistance, hygiene management performance and
handling property are excellent. Furthermore, since the above
properties can be easily realized by the base members provided with
the closure means, manufacturing is easy and cost performance is
excellent.
[0097] It does not matter which of the first and second members of
the closure means is formed on the base member whose bottom end
portion is longer than that of the other base member to form the
easily peelable portion.
[0098] Note that, in the packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14, a hole 62
penetrating through the film pieces is formed as a suspension means
which enables the packaging bag to be suspended in the sealed
portion near the part 56 that becomes the aperture. By suspending
the packaging bag 53 by hooking the hole 62 on a jig or the like
such as at the time of discharge through a spout portion to be
described later, the spout portion is located at a lower side and
the contained content is easily discharged through the spout
portion. Depending on the application of the packaging bag of the
present invention, one or more holes as described above may be
formed for the purpose of suspension or the like. Particularly, it
is preferable to include the spout portion and the hole described
above in the case of application accompanied by a discharging
operation. The shape, size, arrangement and the like of the hole
are appropriately set according to the application, size, material
and the like of the packaging bag. Further, a separately formed
hook or the like may be provided as a suspension means.
[0099] In the packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14, an end portion of the
lower side of the packaging bag main body is slanted inwardly and a
spout portion 63 for discharging the contained content is provided
at one side of the peripheral portion 54 at the slanted part. For
the purpose of storage, the packaging bag of the present invention
may be provided with only a part which becomes an aperture at the
time of opening. However, for the purpose of discharging a
contained content such as a nutrient or liquid diet, the spout
portion as described above may also be provided. The arrangement
and construction of the spout portion are appropriately set
according to the application and the like of the packaging bag.
Particularly when the contained content is a nutrient or liquid
diet, the spout portion needs to be so arranged that the contained
content can be discharged at the time of suspension since the
packaging bag is suspended by the suspension means at the time of
discharge. The spout portion is preferably provided at a position
facing the suspension means such as the hole 62 in the packaging
bag 53 of FIG. 14. The material, shape, size, arrangement,
attachment method and the like of the spout portion are not
particularly limited and a commonly used one can be generally used.
In the packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14, the spout portion 63 is formed
by attaching a base portion of a molded spout member 64, which
becomes a spout at the time of opening, to the packaging bag main
body by thermal bonding or the like, so that the tip of the spout
member 64a projects out from the packaging bag main body, and a tip
portion of the spout member 64a is sealed by a sealing member 64b,
which can be torn open, until opening. The spout member 64a and the
sealing member 64b are arranged between two film pieces formed to
project from the packaging bag main body and peripheral portions
(denoted by 54' in FIG. 14) of the film pieces are sealed, whereby
the spout member 64a and the sealing member 64b are sealed between
the film pieces. Further, an easily openable portion 58' for
enabling the film pieces to be easily cut off is provided at base
portions of the film pieces sealing the spout member 64a and the
sealing member 64b. At the time of discharge, the film pieces
sealing the spout member 64a and the sealing member 64b are cut off
using the easily openable portion 58' and, simultaneously, the
sealing member 64b is twisted to tear the sealed position and the
sealing member 64a is removed together with the film pieces,
whereby the spout member 64a is exposed to open the spout. A tube
or the like may be connected to the spout to discharge the
contained content to the outside. By sealing the spout member 64a
and the sealing member 64b by the film pieces, contamination of the
spout before opening can be prevented. As another construction of
the spout portion, a pipe may be tucked in between the film pieces
forming the packaging bag main body and exposed by cutting off
parts of the film pieces, and a tube or the like may be connected
to an end of the pipe to discharge the contained content to the
outside.
[0100] In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the easily openable portion 58
crossing from one sealed portion to the other sealed portion at the
opposite side through the unsealed portion 57 that becomes the
aperture is provided at the part 56 which becomes the aperture at
the time of opening. It is preferable to provide the packaging bag
of the present invention with the easily openable portion for
enabling the peripheral portions of the film pieces to be easily
cut off because the opening operation can be more stably performed.
As the easily openable portion, a curved cut is formed in an end
portion of the sealed portion and a straight easily tearable part
is provided to enable easy tearing by hand from the cut in the
above embodiment. The cut may be straight or triangular. For lower
cost, only a cut may be formed or an opening position to be cut by
scissors or the like may be clearly indicated by printing or the
like. In the present invention, the easily openable portion is
preferably so formed that opening end positions cut off using the
easily openable portion differ between the film pieces. A specific
method is, as shown in the above embodiment, such that the easily
openable portion is so formed by half-cutting or the like that
traces thereof in the two film pieces forming the packaging bag
differ, and opening end positions cut off along the easily openable
portion are shifted between the film pieces, whereby the respective
film pieces are more easily pinched. FIG. 19 shows a state where
the opening end positions (denoted by 71a, 71b in FIG. 19) after
opening are shifted between the film pieces.
[0101] The packaging bag of the present invention is preferably
formed such that the first and second base members formed with the
first and second members as the closure means are not exposed at an
outer edge portion of the sealed portion formed by sealing the
peripheral portions of the film pieces. Since the base members are
not exposed at the outer edge portion of the sealed portion, i.e.
the end portions of the closure means and the easily peelable
portion are not exposed at the outer edge portion of the sealed
portion, the strength of the sealing portion is not reduced and
leakage of the contained content and a reduction in sealing
property caused by breakage such as at the time of a fall are
unlikely to occur. Particularly, since the easily peelable portion
is easily peelable, if the end portion thereof is exposed at the
outer edge portion of the sealed portion, the interior of the
packaging bag communicates with the outside to cause leakage of the
contained content and a hygienic problem such as when the easily
peelable portion is peeled open due to a damage or the like at the
time of fall or handling.
[0102] In the packaging bag of the present invention, when the
closure means is the fastener seal composed of the male first
member and the female second member projecting from the base
portions as in the above embodiment, the sealing property of the
part that becomes the aperture is more effective. Unless the
fastener seal is isolated by the easily peelable portion as in the
present invention, engaging parts of the fastener seal may be
disengaged due to an inner pressure caused by the contained content
at the time of storage or transportation and the contained content
adheres to the engaging parts to result in insufficient
engagement.
[0103] In the packaging bag of the present invention, the fastener
seal is preferably formed such that a tip portion of the male first
member has an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction, a recess of a tip portion of the female
second member has substantially the same cross sectional shape
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as the tip portion of
the first member, and a clearance is formed between the tip portion
of the first member and that of the second member only near the
base portion of the first member when the first and second members
are engaged. FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the
construction of a fastener seal. The fastener seal of FIG. 17
includes a male first member 60a integrally formed to a first base
member 65 and a female second member 60b integrally formed to a
second base member 66. The first member 60a includes a tip portion
67 and a base portion 69 connected to the base member, and the
second member 60b includes a tip portion 68 and a base portion 70
connected to the base member. The tip portion 67 of the first
member 60a has an elliptical cross sectional shape perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction, and a recess of the tip portion 68 of
the second member 60b has substantially the same cross sectional
shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as the tip
portion 67 of the first member. Further, at the time of engaging
the first and second members, a clearance is formed between the tip
portion 67 of the first member and that 68 of the second member
only near the base portion 69 of the first member. If the above
construction is employed, the tip portions 67, 68 closely adhere to
each other to improve sealing property when the first and second
members are engaged. Further, by forming the engaging parts to have
an elliptical cross sectional shape, the tip portion 67 of the
first member and that 68 of the second member are more strongly
engaged and not easily disengaged even if an inner pressure in the
containing portion increases. Further, at the time of
disengagement, the fastener seal is easily opened by inserting a
finger into the above clearance.
Sixth Embodiment
[0104] A spout member S of FIG. 20 is mainly composed of a cap
portion, a spout portion 73 and a sealing portion 81. The spout
portion 73 includes a base portion 85 and a cylindrical portion 80
projecting from the base portion 85. The sealing portion 81 seals a
tip portion of the cylindrical portion 80 in the spout portion 73
via a tearable weakened portion 81a and is supported at an inner
side of a tip portion of the cap portion 72 as described later. By
turning the cap portion 72 either to the left or right as indicated
by arrows A in FIG. 20, the weakened portion 81a is torn to
separate the cap portion 72 and the sealing portion 81 from the
spout portion 73 and, simultaneously, the tip portion of the
cylindrical portion 80 can be opened to serve as a spout. The cap
portion 72 is shaped to entirely cover the cylindrical portion 80
and the cap portion 72 and the spout portion 73 are provided with a
locking mechanism capable of locking the cap portion 72 to the
spout portion 73.
[0105] In the spout portion of the present invention, the "tearable
weakened portion" means a part worked to reduce material strength
or apart having a lower strength than other parts by being thinned
or narrowed.
[0106] The cap portion 72 in the spout member S of FIG. 20 mainly
includes a cap main body 74, a supporting portion 75 provided at an
inner side of a tip portion of the cap main body 74 and opening
assisting portions 76, and flange portions 77 and cut portions 78
are provided at the bottom of the cap portion. Together with
locking portions 83 and projecting portions 84 of the spout portion
73 to be described later, the flange portions 77 and the cut
portions 78 constitute the locking mechanism capable of locking the
cap portion 72 to the spout portion 73 after the cap portion 72 is
separated.
[0107] The cap main body 74 is shaped to entirely cover and protect
the cylindrical portion 80 of the spout member S, and it is
preferable in terms of preventing breakage that a clearance which
cannot be resealed is not formed between the inner surface of the
cap main body and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The
supporting portion 75 supports the sealing portion 81 for sealing
the tip portion of the cylindrical portion 80 and prevents the
sealing portion 81 from falling after opening. The sealing portion
81 seals, the tip portion of the cylindrical portion 80 via the
tearable weakened portion 81a circumferentially formed on the tip
portion of the cylindrical portion before opening as shown in FIGS.
21, 22. A projecting portion 81b projecting in a lateral direction
is formed on an upper side of the side surface of the sealing
portion 81 and supported by the supporting portion 75 of the cap
portion. Further, four convex guide portions 79 are formed on the
inner side of the cap main body 74 and, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the
sealing portion 81 has a side surface portion thereof supported by
the guide portions 79 of the cap portion so as not to move in the
lateral direction. After opening, as shown in FIG. 23, the
supporting portion 75 and the guide portions 79 support the sealing
portion 81 to prevent the sealing portion 81 from falling to a
lower side of the cap portion. The upper surface of the cap portion
is sealed as shown in FIG. 23(c). The lower surface of the sealing
portion 81 is shaped to be engageable with a spout 82 to be,
described later after the separation of the cap portion, and
resealing is possible by the engagement of the sealing portion 81
and the spout 82. Note that, by thinning the weakened portion 81a
to have a thickness of 0.15 mm or more and below 0.2 mm, the tip
portion of the cylindrical portion (inner side of the spout) after
tearing can be a smooth fracture surface free from roughness. In
the present invention, it is preferable in terms of operability
that the spout can be resealed by the cap portion after the
separation of the cap portion if necessary as in the above
embodiment.
[0108] The opening assisting portions 76 are a pair of plate
portions bulging out to the left and right from the tip portion of
the cap portion. The opening assisting portions are preferably
provided to easily turn the cap portion at the time of opening. The
shape of the opening assisting portions is not particularly limited
and may have a substantially rectangular shape, a semicircular
shape and another shape in addition to the shape obliquely
projecting downward as in the spout member of FIG. 20 and only
either the left or right one may be provided.
[0109] The spout portion 73 of the spout member S of FIG. 20 mainly
includes the base portion 85 and the cylindrical portion 80
projecting from the base portion 85. Annular projecting portions
80a, 80b and 80c for locking a tube are formed on the outer side
surface of the cylindrical portion 80. As described above, by
turning the cap portion to tear the sealing portion, the tip
portion of the cylindrical portion is opened to serve as the spout
82 as shown in FIG. 24.
[0110] The base portion 85 has a boat shape bulging out to the left
and right and includes a plurality of linear reinforcing portions
85a on a side portion to increase strength and adhesion to the
sealing portion. The shape of the base portion is not particularly
limited, but it is preferable in terms of easy manufacturing and
adhesion to the sealing portion to have a boat shape.
[0111] Two locking portions 83 are provided on the upper surface of
the base portion 85 and two projecting portions 84 are provided on
the side surface of the cylindrical portion 83. These constitute
the locking mechanism together with the flange portions 77 and the
cut portions 78 of the cap portion 72. The flange portions 77 of
the cap portion 72 are locked by the locking portions 83 of the
spout portion 73 to prevent the cap portion 72 from moving in a
vertical direction. Further, the cut portions 78 of the cap portion
72 are locked by the projecting portions 84 to prevent the cap
portion 72 from turning to the left and right. Normally, when no
external force acts to turn the cap portion to the left or right,
the cap portion 72 is locked to the spout portion 73. When a force
acts to turn the cap portion to the left or right, the cap portion
72 is unlocked due to the flexibility of the cut portions 78 and
the projecting portions 84 and the flange portions 77 turn along
recessed portions of the locking portions 83. When the cut portions
78 turn 90.degree. up to the projecting portions 83, the cap
portion and the spout portion can be unlocked at intervals between
the flange portions 77. Since sealing by the sealing portion is
eliminated at this state at the time of opening, the cap portion
can be separated to open the spout and, by performing a reverse
operation, the cap portion can be locked to the spout portion to
reseal the spout. Note that the locking mechanism in the present
invention is not limited to the above.
[0112] In the spout member of the present invention, the annular
projecting portions for locking the tube are preferably formed on
the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the spout portion
as in the above embodiment. Since a plurality of types of tubes
with different diameters are to be connected to the spout, various
tubes can be firmly connected without using a connecting jig by
providing a plurality of annular projecting portions with different
outer diameters conforming to the inner diameters of the tubes for
locking the tubes. Of course, one annular projection may be
provided in the case of use only for specific tubes.
[0113] The spout member of the present invention can be
manufactured by injection molding or other molding of a
thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene generally
used for spout members. If the spout member is formed as described
above, the sizes of the entire spout member and the respective
parts are not particularly limited within such a range as not to
prevent the functions of the present invention and set according to
the vicinity, discharge rate and the like of the contained content
to be discharged.
[0114] A further embodiment of the packaging bag using the spout
member of the present invention is shown below. FIG. 25 is a front
view of the packaging bag including the spout member of FIG. 20,
FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a spout member sealing portion of
the packaging bag of FIG. 25, and FIG. 27 is a sectional view along
Y-Y of the spout member sealing portion of FIG. 26. In a packaging
bag 86 of FIG. 26, peripheral portions of two film pieces are
sealed by fusing or the like to form a first sealed portion 87,
whereby a containing portion 88 is formed. After a peripheral
portion of the packaging bag is sealed while leaving a part thereof
as an unsealed portion, a contained content is filled using the
unsealed portion as a filling port and then the unsealed portion is
sealed.
[0115] In the packaging bag 86 of FIGS. 25 to 27, an end portion of
the lower side of the containing portion 88 is slanted inwardly and
a spout member sealing portion 95 for discharging the contained
content is provided at one side of the peripheral portion 87 of the
inwardly slanted part. The spout member sealing portion 95 is
formed by arranging the spout member S of FIG. 20 between the two
film pieces (denoted by 95a, 95a in FIG. 27) forming the packaging
bag so that the cylindrical portion 80 of the spout portion
projects from the containing portion, fixing the base portion 85 of
the spout portion between the film pieces at the first sealed
portion 87 by thermal bonding or the like when the first sealed
portion is formed, and sealing the cap portion 72 by a second
sealed portion 96 formed by sealing the film pieces around the cap
portion 72 so that the cap portion 72 is sandwiched between the
film pieces 95a, 95a.
[0116] In the packaging bag of FIGS. 25 to 27, the cap portion 72
and the sealing portion 81 are separated from the spout portion 73
by cutting off the film pieces 95a, 95a forming the spout member
sealing portion 95 at a side of the spout member S more toward the
tip than the base portion 85 and simultaneously turning the cap
portion 72 of the spout member together with the film pieces 95a,
95a, whereby the cap portion 72 and the sealing portion 81 are
separated from the spout portion 73 to open the spout and the
cylindrical portion of the spout member is exposed to enable the
connection of a discharge tube or the like. The cap portion of the
spout member is separated in a state sandwiched between the cut-off
film pieces while holding the sealing portion. Since the cap
portion is shaped to entirely cover the cylindrical portion and can
be locked to the cylindrical portion if necessary, the spout is
hygienically maintained even after opening. Since the cap portion
is separated while being sandwiched between the film pieces, a
possibility that the cap portion is dropped to the floor or the
like from between the film pieces by mistake after separation to be
contaminated can be reduced and, if not being reused, the cap
portion can be discarded together with the film pieces.
[0117] Since the spout member is sealed in the packaging bag of the
preset invention by the film pieces, hygiene management performance
until the opening of the spout member is excellent. Further, even
if the spout member is made of a material having low barrier
property such as polyolefin, the barrier property of the spout
portion is improved by providing the film pieces forming the
packaging bag with barrier property. Further, a function such as a
light blocking effect that is difficult to impart can be imparted
to the entire packaging bag by imparting this function to the film
pieces forming the packaging bag, wherefore quality management
performance is also excellent. Furthermore, since the spout member
is sandwiched by the film pieces, it is unlikely to move in the
packaging bag and breakage preventing property such as prevention
of unintended opening caused such as by breakage of the weakened
portion is excellent. As described above, contamination preventing
property is excellent since the spout can be opened without
touching the spout member, and the spout is easily opened.
[0118] To sandwich the cap portion between the film pieces in the
packaging bag of the present invention, the range of the second
sealed portion is so set that the cap portion is held by the
surrounding sealed portion without being fixed to the film pieces.
If the second sealed portion is shaped in conformity with the outer
shape of the cap portion, retention property is improved to improve
breakage preventing property and easy opening. Thus, particularly
when the cap portion is shaped to include the opening assisting
portions as in the above embodiment, the second sealed portion may
bulge out or an auxiliary sealed portion as a separated part of the
second sealed portion may be provided below the opening assisting
portions as shown in FIG. 26. If the cap portion needs to be
removed from between the film pieces and includes opening assisting
portions, it is better that the second sealed portion does not
bulge out below the opening assisting portions.
[0119] The spout member sealing portion 95 is provided with an
easily openable portion 97 to cut off the film pieces 95a, 95a at
the side more toward the tip than the base portion 85 of the spout
member. By providing the spout member sealing portion with the
easily openable portion as described above in the packaging bag of
the present invention, the film pieces can be easily cut off to
realize easy opening and it can be prevented that the vicinity of
the tip of the spout member sealing portion is cut off by mistake
and fingers or the like touch the spout member sealed inside. The
easily openable portion is formed such as by a method for forming a
half-cut groove in the film pieces forming the packaging bag by a
laser beam, a method for forming another layer after base films of
the film pieces are perforated or a method for forming a cut having
a curved, straight, triangular or other shape in the end portion of
the sealed portion or by clearly indicating an opening position to
be cut by scissors or the like by printing or the like for cost
reduction. These methods may be combined. Further, if the easily
openable portion 97 is provided at aside more toward the tip than a
skirt portion of the cap portion of the spout member (corresponding
to the flange portions 77 and their vicinities in the spout member
S of FIG. 20), i.e. at a position at the spout side, the skirt
portion of the cap portion is exposed from the film pieces after
separation by cutting off the film pieces, wherefore the spout can
be easily resealed.
[0120] In the present invention, it is preferable to form the
easily openable portion such that the opening ends cut off using
the easily openable portion are so curved as to be closer to the
base portion of the spout portion at an intermediate part than at
an opening start position and an opening end position since the
spout member is easily opened together with the film pieces with a
smaller force.
[0121] In the present invention, the arrangement and construction
of the spout member sealing portion are appropriately set according
to the application and the like of the packaging bag. Particularly
when the contained content is a nutrient or liquid diet, the spout
member sealing portion needs to be so arranged that the contained
content can be discharged at the time of suspension since the
packaging bag is suspended by the suspension means at the time of
discharge. The spout member sealing portion is preferably provided
at a position facing the suspension means such as a hole 94 in the
packaging bag 86 of FIG. 25 to be described later. The material,
shape, size, arrangement and attachment method of the spout member
sealing portion are appropriately set according to the purpose
using the above spout member of the present invention.
[0122] The packaging bag of the present invention may include an
inlet portion at the peripheral portions of the sealed film pieces
when the contained content is the one that requires the supply of
medicine, water or the like such as a nutrient or liquid diet. An
inlet portion 89 is formed in an upper part of the packaging bag 86
of FIG. 25. In the inlet portion 89, an aperture by an unsealed
portion 90 is formed by cutting off upper side portions of the
sealed film pieces (a part of the peripheral portion). An easily
openable portion 91 crossing from one sealed portion to the other
sealed portion at an opposite side through the unsealed portion 90
is provided at the inlet portion 89, and the upper side portions of
the sealed film pieces (a part of the peripheral portion) can be
cut off by gripping one end of an upper side of the easily openable
portion 91 and pulling it along the easily openable portion 91. In
the packaging bag of the present invention, the easily openable
portion for enabling the peripheral portions of the film pieces to
be easily cut off is preferably provided at the inlet portion since
an opening operation can be more stably performed. An easily
openable portion similar to that in the above spout member sealing
portion may be used. If a curved cut is formed in an end portion of
the sealed portion as in FIG. 25 and a straight easily tearable
part is provided to enable easy tearing by hand from the cut, the
film pieces can be easily torn and the easily openable portion is
so formed that traces thereof in the two film pieces forming the
packaging bag differ. If opening end positions cut off along the
easily openable portion are shifted between the film pieces, the
respective film pieces are more easily pinched so that the inlet
portion is easily opened. A specific method for forming an easily
openable portion is such that the two film pieces forming the
packaging bag are so half-cut that traces of the easily openable
portion in the respective film pieces differ.
[0123] In the packaging bag 86 of FIG. 25, a fastener seal 92 as an
openable and closable closure means extending over the entire width
of the unsealed portion 90 is provided at the inlet portion and an
easily peelable portion 93 is provided at a side of the fastener
seal toward a containing portion 88. The easily peelable portion 93
extends over the entire width of the unsealed portion 90, isolates
the fastener seal 92 from the containing portion 88 before opening
and is peeled open to open the inlet portion at the time of
opening. The fastener seal 92 is provided to close the inlet
portion after opening if necessary. The packaging bag 86 of FIG. 25
is actually completely opened by peeling open the easily peelable
portion 93 after the upper side portions of the film pieces are cut
off by the easily openable portion 91. Note that the form of the
inlet portion is not limited to that of the above embodiment and an
inlet member as a molded member may be attached. In this case as
well, similar to the spout member sealing portion of the present
invention, hygiene management performance, quality management
performance and breakage preventing property of the inlet member
are excellent if the inlet member is sealed by the film pieces.
[0124] In the packaging bag 86 of FIG. 25, the hole 94 penetrating
through the film pieces is formed as a suspension means for
enabling the packaging bag to be suspended in the sealed portion
near the inlet portion 89. Such as when the contained content is
discharged from the spout portion, the spout portion is arranged at
the lower side and the contained content is easily discharged from
the spout portion such as by hooking the hole 94 on a jig to
suspend the packaging bag 86. The packaging bag of the present
invention may be formed with one or more holes as described above
for suspension purpose or other purpose according to the
application. It is preferable to include the hole as described
above particularly when the packaging bag includes the spout
portion and used for a discharging operation. The shape, size,
arrangement and the like of the hole are appropriately set
according to the application, size, material and the like of the
packaging bag. Further, a separately formed hook or the like may be
provided as a suspension means.
[0125] In the present invention, a single film piece may be folded
or a plurality of film pieces may be bonded to form the packaging
bag main body. The material of the film piece is not particularly
limited and materials conventionally used for pouches are usable.
Such materials include, for example, composite films produced by
laminating olefin-containing thermally adhesive resins as sealant
layers such as low-density polyethylenes, linear low-density
polyethylenes, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and polypropylenes
on various films as base materials such as biaxially-oriented
polyolefin resin films, biaxially-oriented polyamide resin films,
biaxially-oriented polyester resin films and ethylene-vinyl alcohol
copolymer films. Further, in terms of improving protection for
contained content, films in which a plurality of single layer
films, metal foils and composite films are laminated on the above
composite films and films in which silica, aluminum oxide and the
like are laminated on the above composite films may also be used.
Particularly, if a film in which an aluminum oxide layer is
laminated on a laminate film of biaxially-oriented polyethylene
terephthalate and biaxially-oriented polyamide is used as a base
material, barrier property and aroma retention property are
excellent and it becomes possible to use a pinhole testing machine
or a metal detector and heat by microwaves after filling. The
respective film pieces used may have a general thickness of 10 to
150 .mu.m and the entire size thereof can be appropriately set
according to a contained amount. The packaging bag is formed by
sealing the peripheral portions of the sealant layers by thermal
bonding or the like depending on the construction of the film
pieces. Note that, if a retort sterilization process needs to be
performed, the materials of the film pieces, the spout portion and
the like forming the packaging bag are accordingly selected
beforehand.
[0126] The shape of the containing portion of the packaging bag of
the present invention is not particularly limited so long as it is
formed by sealing the peripheral portions of the film pieces.
However, such as when the packaging bag of the present invention is
used to contain a tube-feeding enteral nutrient or tube-feeding
enteral liquid diet, a gusset portion may be provided on a bottom
surface portion or the like in terms of operability at the time of
transportation and dissolving. In the case of providing a gusset
portion, self-standing property of the packaging bag is improved
and the contained amount is also increased. The gusset portion may
be formed, for example, by arranging a film piece forming the
gusset portion only on the bottom surface portion between the two
film pieces forming a principal part of the main body. A gusset
portion may also be provided on a side surface portion where
neither the inlet portion nor the spout portion is provided or on a
ceiling surface portion for an increase in the contained amount or
another purpose.
[0127] The seal form and seal width of the peripheral portions of
the film pieces at the time of forming the containing portion of
the packaging bag of the present invention are also not
particularly limited so long as the containing portion is sealable.
The shape and width may be so changed that hole(s), a hooking
portion and the like as in the above embodiment can be formed.
Example 1
[0128] A packaging bag 1 having a similar construction as in FIG. 1
was manufactured by using laminate films in which a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 12 .mu.m, a
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 12
.mu.m and barrier property and including an aluminum oxide
(Al.sub.2O.sub.3) thin film, a polyamide (PA) film having a
thickness of 15 .mu.m and a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
film having a thickness of 100 .mu.m were successively laminated
via adhesive layers as the film pieces 1a, 1a in the packaging bag
1 of FIG. 1, thermally fusing peripheral portions with the LLDPE
films as sealant layers, and forming a linear fastener portion 7
and an easily peelable portion 8 at an inlet portion. At this time,
a spout member 4a made of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin
was thermally bonded as a spout portion 4 to one side of the
peripheral portion such that a base portion of the spout member 4a
was sandwiched between the film pieces. Further, two through holes
5, 5 were formed as a suspension means and a holding means in
sealed portions at the opposite sides of an unsealed portion, which
becomes an inlet port 3a, by punching. The packaging bag was
substantially dimensioned such that a width was 200 mm (width of a
containing portion was about 180 mm), a height was 240 mm, a seal
width was 5 to 10 mm, and a seal width of through hole formed parts
was 40 to 50 mm. The through holes were round holes having a
diameter of 20 mm. A contained content was filled using the
unsealed portion as a filling port after the peripheral portion of
the packaging bag was formed while leaving a part thereof unsealed
as the unsealed portion, and then the unsealed portion was sealed
by thermal fusion bonding. The inlet port was formed by tearing an
easily openable portion 6 of the inlet portion and peeling open the
easily peelable portion 8 to open the inlet port 3a. Water was
supplied into the packaging bag while the inlet port 3a was opened
by inserting two fingers into the through holes 5, 5. After the
supply was completed, the inlet port was closed by the linear
fastener portion 7. Subsequently, upon suspending the packaging
bag, the packaging bag was brought to a suspension table while
being held by the two fingers inserted in the through holes 5, 5
and suspended by hooking the through hole 5 facing the spout 4 on a
jig, and the spout member 4a was opened to discharge the contained
content.
Example 2
[0129] Using laminate films in which a polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) film having a thickness of 12 .mu.m, a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 12 .mu.m and barrier
property and including an aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) thin
film, a polyamide (PA) film having a thickness of 15 .mu.m and a
linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film having a thickness of
100 .mu.m were successively laminated via adhesive layers as the
film pieces 53a, 53a in the packaging bag 53 of FIG. 14, peripheral
portions were thermally fused with the LLDPE films as sealant
layers. At that time, a fastener seal 59 as a closure means and an
easily peelable portion 61 for an aperture to protect the fastener
seal 59 before opening were provided at inner sides of the film
pieces of a part 56 which becomes an aperture at the time of
opening as shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, a first base
member 65 with a male first member 60a and a second base member 66
with a female second member 60b of the fastener seal 59 were
arranged at the inner sides of the respective film pieces facing
each other and forming the aperture, upper parts of the respective
base members were respectively bonded to the inner sides of the
film pieces, and a bottom end portion of the second base member 66
formed to be longer than that of the first base member 65 was
bonded to a part of the opposite other film piece below the closure
means by an easily peelable seal, thereby forming the easily
peelable portion 61. Note that the first and second members and the
base members of the fastener seal were both made of a linear
low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and an easily peelable tape was
bonded to the bottom end portion of the second base member 66. As
shown in FIG. 14, a spout portion 63 was formed by arranging a
spout member 64a made of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin
and a sealing member 64b at a tip portion of the spout member 64b
between the two film pieces formed to project from the packaging
bag main body, attaching a base portion of the spout member 64a to
the packaging bag main body by thermal bonding, and sealing the
peripheral portions of the film pieces to seal the spout member 64a
and the sealing member 64b between the film pieces. Further, a
through hole 62 was formed as a suspension means by punching. The
packaging bag was substantially dimensioned such that a width was
200 mm (width of a containing portion was about 180 mm), a height
was 240 mm, a seal width was 5 to 10 mm, and a seal width of a
through hole formed part was 40 to 50 mm. The through hole was a
round hole having a diameter of 20 mm. A contained content was
filled using the unsealed portion as a filling port after the
peripheral portion of the packaging bag was formed while leaving a
part thereof unsealed as the unsealed portion, and then the
unsealed portion was sealed by thermal fusion bonding. The unsealed
portion 57 was formed into an aperture by tearing an easily
openable portion 58 to open the fastener seal 59 and peeling open
the easily peelable portion 61. After the packaging bag 53 was
suspended by hooking the through hole 62 on a jig and water was
supplied into the packaging bag by opening the fastener seal at the
aperture, the fastener seal was closed and the spout portion 63 was
opened to discharge the contained content.
[0130] The aperture of the packaging bag of Example 2 was opened,
600 ml of water was filled through the aperture, the packaging bag
was horizontally statically placed with the fastener seal closed to
close the aperture, and leakage through the fastener seal was
visually confirmed for 10 minutes with and without application of
pressure as shown in Table-1. 30 bags were tested. A test result is
shown in Table-1.
[0131] It is understood from the result of Table-1 that the
fastener seal in the packaging bag of the present invention has
excellent pressure resistance.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 2 No application of pressure No
leakage Pressure of 300 g No leakage Pressure of 500 g No
leakage
Example 3
[0132] A cap portion shaped as shown in FIG. 20, made of a
high-density polyethylene resin and having a thickness of 1 mm and
a height of 35 mm was fabricated by injection molding. Further, a
spout portion shaped as shown in FIG. 20, made of a high-density
polyethylene resin and having a base portion width of 30 mm, a base
portion height of 10 mm and a cylindrical portion height of 30 mm
and a sealing portion were integrally fabricated by molding with
the sealing portion mounted at a tip portion of a cylindrical
portion via a thinned portion (weakened portion) having a thickness
of 0.2 mm. The sealing portion was engaged with a supporting
portion of the cap portion to form a spout member.
Example 4
[0133] A spout member was formed as in Example 3 except that the
thickness of a thinned portion was 0.18 mm.
Example 5
[0134] A spout member was formed as in Example 3 except that the
thickness of a thinned portion was 0.15 mm.
Example 6
[0135] Using laminate films in which a polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) film having a thickness of 12 .mu.m, a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 12 .mu.m and barrier
property and including an aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) thin
film, a polyamide (PA) film having a thickness of 15 .mu.m and a
linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film having a thickness of
100 .mu.m were successively laminated via adhesive layers as the
film pieces in the packaging bag 86 of FIG. 25, peripheral portions
were thermally fused with the LLDPE films as sealant layers. At
that time, a fastener seal 92 as a closure means and an easily
peelable portion 93 for an aperture to protect the fastener seal 92
before opening were provided at inner sides of the film pieces of
an inlet portion 89 at the time of opening as shown in FIG. 25.
Further, as shown in FIG. 25, a spout member sealing portion 95 was
formed by arranging the spout member of Example 3 as the spout
member S between the two film pieces forming the packaging bag such
that the cylindrical portion 80 of the spout portion projects from
a containing portion 88, fixing the base portion 85 of the spout
portion between the film pieces in a first sealed portion 87 by
thermal bonding or the like when the first sealed portion was
formed, and sealing the cap portion 72 by a second sealed portion
96 formed by sealing the film pieces around the cap portion 72 so
that the cap portion 72 was sandwiched between the film pieces.
Further, a through hole 94 was formed as a suspension means by
punching. The packaging bag was substantially dimensioned such that
a width was 200 mm (width of a containing portion was about 180
mm), a height was 240 mm, a seal width was 5 to 10 mm, and a seal
width of a through hole formed part was 40 to 50 mm. The through
hole was a round hole having a diameter of 20 mm. A contained
content was filled using the unsealed portion as a filling port
after the peripheral portion of the packaging bag was formed while
leaving a part thereof unsealed as the unsealed portion, and then
the unsealed portion was sealed by thermal fusion bonding. In the
inlet portion, the unsealed portion 90 was formed into an aperture
by tearing an easily openable portion 91 to open the fastener seal
92 and peeling open the easily peelable portion 93. After the
packaging bag 86 was suspended by hooking the through hole 94 on a
jig and water was supplied into the packaging bag by opening the
fastener seal 92 of the inlet portion, the fastener seal 92 was
closed, the film pieces forming the spout member sealing portion 95
at a side more toward a tip than the base portion 85 of the spout
member S are cut off and, simultaneously, the cap portion 72 of the
spout member was turned together with the film pieces to separate
the cap portion 72 from the spout portion 73, thereby opening the
spout, and a tube was connected to the cylindrical portion 80 for
discharge.
Example 7
[0136] A packaging bag was fabricated as in Example 6 except that
the spout member of Example 4 was used as the spout member S.
Test Example 1
[0137] For each of the spout members of Examples 3 to 5, the cap
portion was turned to tear the weakened portion (thinned portion)
and separate the cap portion from the spout portion, thereby
opening the spout, and a fracture surface of the spout was visually
observed. A result is shown, in Table-2. It is understood from the
result of Table-2 that roughness and stringiness were found on the
fracture surface of only the spout member of Example 3 including
the thinned portion having a thickness of 0.2 mm. The cap portion
can be actually used even if having some roughness or stringiness,
but is preferably free from roughness and stringiness.
Test Example 2
[0138] A test was conducted 10 times in which 400 ml of water was
contained in each of the packaging bags of Examples 6 and 7, the
sealed packaging bag was dropped from a height of 1.2 m with the
spout portion faced downward, and leakage from the spout portion
was visually confirmed every time the packaging bag was dropped.
For the packaging bag from which no leakage was confirmed up to the
10.sup.th drop test, a split in the thinned portion of the sealing
portion was confirmed by a dye penetrant testing liquid. As a
Comparative Example 1, a similar test was conducted for the exposed
spout member of Example 4 without being covered by the film pieces.
A result is shown in Table-3. It is understood from the result of
Table-3 that the packaging bag of the present invention has
excellent breakage preventing property of the spout portion even if
the weakened portion is thinned to ensure a smooth fracture surface
free from roughness in addition to easy opening and excellent
hygiene management performance and quality management performance
brought about by sandwiching the spout member between the film
pieces.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Visual Observation Result Example 3
Roughness, stringiness found Example 4 No roughness, no stringiness
Example 5 No roughness, no stringiness
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Visual Observation Result Confirmation by
After Drop Testing Liquid Example 6 No abnormality after 1.sup.st
to No abnormality 10.sup.th drops Example 7 No abnormality after
1.sup.st to No abnormality 10.sup.th drops C. Example 1 No
abnormality after 1.sup.st to Bleed caused by 10.sup.th drops
breakage of thinned portion
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0139] Since the packaging bag of the present invention is handled
such as for supply and opening of the inlet port by being stably
and hygienically held, it can be suitably used for application with
a possibility of pouring a liquid or the like from the outside
besides discharging a contained content, particularly as a
packaging bag for containing a tube-feeding enteral nutrient or
tube-feeding enteral liquid diet while enabling water or the like
to be supplied from the outside before, after and during the
discharge of the contained content. Further, since the closure
means is protected from contamination and the like by the contained
content at the time of storage or transportation, hygiene
management performance and handling property are excellent.
Furthermore, since having excellent pressure resistance when an
inner pressure acts in the packaging bag, the packaging bag of the
present invention can be suitably used as a packaging bag including
a closure means at an aperture for hygiene and control management
of a contained content and particularly suitable as a packaging bag
for containing a tube-feeding enteral nutrient or tube-feeding
enteral liquid diet which requires hygiene management performance.
Further, the packaging bag using the spout member of the present
invention has excellent hygiene property of the spout member before
opening, is less subject to breakage and capable of resealing to
cover the spout. Thus, this packaging bag has excellent handling
property, is easily manufactured and has excellent cost
performance, wherefore the packaging bag is suitable for packaging
of mass-produced goods.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0140] 1 packaging bag [0141] 1a film piece [0142] 2 peripheral
portion [0143] 2a upper side portion [0144] 2b seal portions at the
opposite ends of upper side portion [0145] 3 inlet portion [0146]
3a inlet port [0147] 4 spout portion [0148] 4a spout member [0149]
5 hole [0150] 6, 6' easily openable portion [0151] 7 linear
fastener portion [0152] 8 easily peelable portion [0153] 12
slit-like hole [0154] 13, 13', 13'' perforation [0155] 13'''
half-cutting [0156] 14 part of film piece [0157] 16 unsealed
portion [0158] 20 jig [0159] 21, 31, 41 packaging bag [0160] 22,
32, 42 peripheral portion [0161] 22a, 32a, 42a upper side portion
[0162] 23, 33, 43 inlet portion [0163] 24, 34, 44 spout portion
[0164] 25, 35, 45 hole [0165] 50 hole [0166] 51 convex portion
[0167] 52 unsealed portion [0168] 53 packaging bag [0169] 53a film
piece [0170] 54 peripheral portion [0171] 54' spout portion
peripheral portion [0172] 54a upper seal portion [0173] 55
containing portion [0174] 56 part which becomes an aperture at the
time of opening [0175] 57 unsealed portion [0176] 58, 58' easily
openable portion [0177] 59 closure means (fastener seal) [0178] 60a
male first member [0179] 60b female second member [0180] 61 easily
peelable portion [0181] 62 hole [0182] 63 spout portion [0183] 64a
spout member [0184] 64b sealing member [0185] 65 first base member
[0186] 66 second base member [0187] 65a, 66a seal portion of base
member [0188] 67, 68 tip portion [0189] 69, 70 base portion [0190]
71a, 71b opening end position [0191] 72 cap portion [0192] 73 spout
portion [0193] 74 cap main body [0194] 75 supporting portion [0195]
76 opening assisting portion [0196] 77 flange portion [0197] 78 cut
portion [0198] 79 guide portion [0199] 80 cylindrical portion
[0200] 81 sealing portion [0201] 81a weakened portion [0202] 82
spout [0203] 83 locking portion [0204] 84 projecting portion [0205]
85 base portion [0206] 85a reinforcing portion [0207] 86 packaging
bag [0208] 87 peripheral portion (first sealed portion) [0209] 88
containing portion [0210] 89 inlet portion [0211] 90 unsealed
portion [0212] 91 easily openable portion [0213] 92 closure means
(fastener seal) [0214] 93 easily peelable portion [0215] 94 hole
[0216] 95 spout member sealing portion [0217] 95a film piece [0218]
96 second sealed portion [0219] 97 easily openable portion [0220] S
spout member
* * * * *