U.S. patent application number 14/387755 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-26 for flexible film package bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOTAI CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is TOTAI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Misao Kishi, Kenji Watanabe.
Application Number | 20150055895 14/387755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51031154 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150055895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kishi; Misao ; et
al. |
February 26, 2015 |
FLEXIBLE FILM PACKAGE BAG
Abstract
To provide a package bag that can be easily opened, while
preventing unintentional breakage or opening. A flexible film
package bag 1 comprises: a sealed portion 2 in which a flexible
film is joined; and a plurality of notches 4 for opening. The
plurality of notches 4 are provided in such a way that an end
thereof on an outer edge portion 6 side of the flexible film
package bag 1 is positioned away from the outer edge portion 6 by a
predetermined distance. Since the outer edge portion 6 has neither
a cutout nor slit and all notches 4 are away from the outer edge
portion 6, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening
and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary.
Inventors: |
Kishi; Misao; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Watanabe; Kenji; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOTAI CO., LTD. |
Taito-ku, Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOTAI CO., LTD.
Taito-ku, Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51031154 |
Appl. No.: |
14/387755 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/001111 |
371 Date: |
September 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/38 20130101;
B65D 75/30 20130101; B65D 75/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/207 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/38 20060101
B65D077/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2013 |
JP |
2013-040913 |
Claims
1. A flexible film package bag comprising: a sealed portion in
which a flexible film is joined; and a plurality of notches for
opening, wherein the plurality of notches are provided in such a
way that an end thereof on an outer edge portion side of the
flexible film package bag is positioned away from the outer edge
portion by a predetermined distance, wherein the plurality of
notches have a shape enclosed by: a plurality of linear portions
that are parallel to each other or a plurality of linear portions
that extend radially from an inner side to an outer side; and
curved portions that connect both ends of the linear portions
respectively, and wherein the linear portions penetrate the
flexible film, and the curved portions are connected to the
flexible film.
2. (canceled)
3. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein
length (L) of each of the plurality of the notches and thickness
(P) of the sealed portion satisfy the following relationship (1)
4.0<L/P (1).
4. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein an
outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is
provided has a concave portion formed by cutting out a trapezoidal
shape in an inward direction.
5. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein an
outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is
provided has a convex portion that projects in a trapezoidal shape
in an outward direction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible film package bag
that can be easily opened and is superior in safety.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, a package bag that seals a content such as
foodstuff is provided with a cutout portion in a region from which
the package bag is opened, as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C
(hereinafter referred to as "opening start part Ro"). Since such a
cutout portion is provided in an outer edge portion of the package
bag, as with a V-shaped cutout 21 shown in FIG. 10A, a U-shaped
cutout 22 shown in FIG. 10B, or a home plate shaped cutout 23 shown
in FIG. 10C, it is easy to open the package bag from the cutout
portion as an opening start position. However, such a cutout
portion may cause the package bag to break or open during packing,
distributing, unpacking, displaying and the like, by
unintentionally being caught by a finger, cardboard, or another
bag. In addition, in a package bag made of material that is
relatively rigid, sharp edges of the cutout portion may injure
fingers or cut protective gloves.
[0003] In order to solve such problems, a package bag has been
proposed in which the cutout portion of an outer edge portion is
made as small as possible, and a plurality of punched holes,
indentations, or cuts (hereinafter referred to as notch) are
provided more inward than the outer edge portion. Patent Document 1
discloses an invention relating to a packing bag that can be easily
opened as shown in FIG. 11A, in which the thickness of the package
bag is reduced by compressing the opening start part Ro of the
package bag and at the same time a plurality of punched holes 24 is
provided. In addition, in a process of manufacturing the opening
start part Ro, since a part of a cutting part that produces the
plurality of punched holes 24 reaches the outer edge of the package
bag, fine cutouts 25 are also produced in the outer edge portion.
The cutouts 25 are smaller than the conventional cutout portion as
described above. In the package bag shown in FIG. 11A, by providing
the plurality of punched holes 24 more inwards than the outer edge
portion, resistance to opening an inner region (due to a load
originating in the inner region against opening force) is reduced
and thus it is possible to have the fine cutouts 25 that are
positioned at the outer edge portion from which the package bag is
opened.
[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an invention
relating to a packing bag that can be easily opened in which a
plurality of notches is provided in a region that is on an inner
side of the outer edge portion, as shown in FIG. 11B. By providing
the plurality of notches 26 shown in FIG. 11B at a position away
from, and on an inner side of, the outer edge portion, resistance
to opening is reduced, and thus it is possible to have small
notches 27 that are positioned at the outer edge portion. In the
invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the above described
problem of unintentional breakage or opening is thus solved by
making the notches 27 positioned at the outer edge portion small.
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2008-254818 [0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-006107
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] However, in the above described techniques of Patent
Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there are still cutouts and
notches even though they are small, so that the risk of the above
described problem of unintentional breakage or opening is not
eliminated.
[0008] In addition, if the cutouts and notches in the outer edge
portion are small as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it
may be difficult for a user of the package bag to visually
recognize the opening start part.
[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above
described circumstances and is aimed at providing a package bag
that prevents unintentional breakage or opening, and has an easily
recognizable opening start part.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0010] In a first aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, a flexible film package bag
includes: a sealed portion in which a flexible film is joined; and
a plurality of notches for opening, in which the plurality of
notches is provided in such a way that an end thereof on an outer
edge portion side of the flexible film package bag is positioned
away from the outer edge portion by a predetermined distance.
[0011] According to the package bag with a safe notch as described
in the first aspect of the invention, since the outer edge portion
has neither a cutout nor slit and all notches are away from the
outer edge portion, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or
opening and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary.
[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, the plurality of notches
have a shape enclosed by: a plurality of linear portions that are
parallel to each other or a plurality of linear portions that
extend radially from an inner side to an outer side; and curved
portions that connect both ends of the linear portions
respectively.
[0013] According to the package bag with a safe notch as described
in the second aspect of the invention, there is no risk of
unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily
opened as necessary since a cleavage is readily formed outward from
the notch end on a side towards the outer edge portion.
[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, the notch is formed by
cutting the flexible film in the linear portion as well as in a
part of the curved portion including an end of the linear portion
on the outer edge portion side.
[0015] According to the package bag with a safe notch as described
in the third aspect of the invention, there is no risk of
unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily
opened as necessary since a cleavage is readily formed outward from
the notch end on a side towards the outer edge portion.
[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, length (L) of each of the
plurality of the notches and thickness (P) of the sealed portion
satisfy the following relationship (1)
4.0<L/P (1).
[0017] According to the package bag with a safe notch as described
in the fourth aspect of the invention, there is no risk of
unintentional breakage or opening, and the package bag can be
easily opened as necessary since opening action stress tends to
concentrate inward.
[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, an outer edge portion on an
outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a concave
portion formed by cutting out a trapezoidal shape in an inward
direction. According to the package bag with a safe notch as
described in the fifth aspect of the invention, the concave portion
can easily be recognized and therefore an opening start position
can be easily found.
[0019] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to
achieve the above described objective, an outer edge portion on an
outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a convex
portion that projects in a trapezoidal shape in an outward
direction.
[0020] According to the package bag with a safe notch as described
in the sixth aspect of the invention, the convex portion can easily
be recognized and therefore an opening start position can be easily
found.
Effects of the Invention
[0021] According to the present invention, since the notches are
provided more inwards than the outer edge portion of the package
bag, unintentional breakage or opening can be prevented. In
addition, since the notches are provided more inwards than the
outer edge portion of the package bag, a cleavage is readily formed
from an inner side toward the outer edge portion and the package
bag can easily be opened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a
package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film
package bag according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line a-a' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line b-b' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line c-c' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a partially enlarged view of the opening start
part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of
notches 4 shown in FIG. 3A;
[0028] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the
opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch has
started;
[0029] FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a
cleavage has been generated after starting the opening action of
the package bag 1 with safe notch;
[0030] FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state in which a
cleavage has been further extended after starting the opening
action of the package bag 1 with safe notch;
[0031] FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a state in which a
cleavage has ultimately reached the outer edge portion 6 of the
package bag 1 with safe notch;
[0032] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is
different from that of FIG. 1, of the package bag with a safe notch
as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of
notches 4 shown in FIG. 5A;
[0034] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is
different from those of FIGS. 1 and 5A, of the package bag with a
safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag
according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of
notches 4 shown in FIG. 6A;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is
different from those of FIGS. 1, 5A and 6A, of the package bag with
a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag
according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a
configuration, which is different from that of FIG. 3A, of the
package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film
package bag according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a shape of the notch 4 in
the flexible film package bag 1 in this case that is different from
that of FIG. 3B;
[0039] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
configuration of the package bag shown in FIG. 9A;
[0040] FIG. 10A is plan view illustrating a configuration of a
flexible film package bag according to conventional art;
[0041] FIG. 10B is plan view illustrating a configuration of a
flexible film package bag according to conventional art;
[0042] FIG. 10C is plan view illustrating a configuration of a
flexible film package bag according to conventional art;
[0043] FIG. 11A is plan view illustrating a configuration of a
flexible film package bag according to conventional art; and
[0044] FIG. 11B is plan view illustrating a configuration of a
flexible film package bag according to conventional art.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0045] 1 Package bag with safe notch [0046] 2 Sealed portion [0047]
2a, 2a' Side sealed portion [0048] 2t Upper end side sealed portion
[0049] 2b Lower base side sealed portion [0050] 3 Content storage
portion [0051] 4 Notch [0052] 5 Through hole [0053] 6 Outer edge
portion [0054] 7 Linear portion [0055] 8 Curved portion [0056] 9
Edge portion of notch (outer side) [0057] 10 Edge portion of notch
(inner side) [0058] 12 Concave portion [0059] 13 Convex portion
[0060] 14 Concave portion [0061] 15 Convex portion [0062] 21
V-shaped cutout [0063] 22 U-shaped cutout [0064] 23 Home plate
shaped cutout [0065] 24 Punched hole on inner side of outer edge
portion [0066] 25 Cutout in outer edge portion [0067] 26 Notch on
inner side of outer edge portion [0068] 27 Notch in outer edge
portion [0069] Ro Opening start part [0070] Fu Stress toward front
face [0071] Fd Stress toward back face [0072] Ft Stress toward
upper end [0073] Fb Stress toward lower base
PREFERRED MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0074] An embodiment of the present invention is described
hereinafter with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment
[0075] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a
package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film
package bag according to the present invention.
[0076] The package bag 1 with a safe notch is a package bag having
a substantially rectangular shape composed of two sheets of film
being layered, and comprising a sealed portion 2, a content storage
portion 3, and a notch 4.
[0077] The sealed portion 2 is formed by joining the film layered
in a peripheral region, which is an area of a predetermined width
from an outer edge portion 6 of the package bag 1 with a safe
notch. The layered film in the sealed portion 2 is joined by heat
sealing or with an adhesive. As used herein, an upper side of a
sheet of FIG. 1 is referred to as an "upper end side" of the
package bag 1 with a safe notch; a lower side is referred to as a
"lower base side", a direction from a rear side to a front side of
the sheet is referred to as a "frontward direction"; and a
direction from the front side to the rear side of the sheet is
referred to as a "rearward direction". The sealed portion 2 is
composed of: side sealed portions 2a, 2a' on left and right sides
of the bag; an upper end side sealed portion 2t; and a lower base
side sealed portion 2b. In a bag making process, for example, after
forming the lower base side sealed portion 2b and the side sealed
portions 2a, 2a', the package bag is filled with content from an
unsealed opening on the upper end thereof. Thereafter, the sheets
of film layered in the upper end portion of the package bag are
joined to thereby form the upper end side sealed portion 2t.
[0078] In the content storage portion 3, two sheets of layered film
are not joined as in the sealed portion 2 and form a pocket part,
which can store the content.
[0079] In a region of the sealed portion 2, in the opening start
part Ro, a plurality of notches 4 is provided. Through holes
penetrating the two sheets of film layered in the sealed portion 2
are formed as the notches 4.
[0080] The notches 4 in the package bag 1 with safe notch are
provided in at least one of the side sealed portions 2a, 2a'
[0081] The notches 4 are of the same size and are provided at a
plurality of positions for a predetermined width W, in a direction
of c-c' that is orthogonal to a direction of opening (for example,
the direction of a straight line b-b'). For a package bag of a
regular size of 130 to 150 mm.times.180 to 220 mm, an appropriate
distance X between the uppermost notch 4 among the plurality of
notches 4 and an upper end of the upper end side sealed portion 2t
is 15 mm to 50 mm and is preferably 20 mm to 30 mm. In addition,
the number of notches 4 on left and right sides is variable
depending on size, shape, and material of the package bag, but an
appropriate number thereof is 3 to 15, and preferably 5 to 10 in
view of finger size of a user holding the package bag 1 with safe
notch.
[0082] The material of the package bag 1 with safe notch in the
present embodiment is flexible film. The flexible film is one or
plurality of kinds selected from: synthetic resin film such as
polyethylene (film thickness 50 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m), polyethylene
terephthalate (film thickness 9 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m), nylon (film
thickness 12 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m), barrier nylon (film thickness 15
.mu.m to 25 .mu.m), and cast polypropylene (film thickness 50 .mu.m
to 100 .mu.m); gas barrier film (deposited film to which a gas
barrier layer (aluminum foil (film thickness 6.6 .mu.m to 15 .mu.m)
or inorganic oxide such as silicon oxide, aluminium oxide) is vapor
deposited); and the like.
[0083] The flexible film has a structure in which two sheets of
flexible film (flexible packing material), composed of a single
layer or multiple layers of different kinds, are layered (or a
single sheet of such film is doubly folded). The flexible film has
a thickness of approximately 50 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m in a case of a
single layer and a thickness of approximately 70 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m
in a case of multiple layers.
[0084] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line a-a' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 2A, the package bag 1 with safe notch of
the present embodiment is formed by layering two sheets of multi
layered flexible film. In the side sealed portion 2a and the side
sealed portion 2a' of the package bag 1 with safe notch, the
layered film is joined. The content storage portion 3 forms a
hollow part, which can be filled with content such as foodstuff, to
thereby store the content.
[0086] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line b-b' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1.
[0087] Although the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B is almost
identical to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, since FIG. 2B is
a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line b-b' passing
through the notch 4, a through hole 5 of the notch 4, which
penetrates the film, is shown.
[0088] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight
line c-c' in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of
FIG. 1.
[0089] Since the straight line c-c' is a direction orthogonal to
the opening direction and a straight line passing through the
plurality of notches 4, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2C
shows the through holes 5 of the plurality of notches 4.
[0090] A shape of the notch 4 is described hereinafter with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0091] FIG. 3A is a partially enlarged view of the opening start
part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1.
[0092] A plurality of notches 4 are provided at a position in the
sealed portion 2, away from the outer edge portion 6 by a
predetermined distance D. Each of the notches 4 has an elongated
linear shape (more strictly, the shape of a bow laid flat, as
described later) having a length L that is parallel to the opening
direction (for example, the direction of the straight line b-b' in
FIG. 1) and the notches 4 are provided in a direction orthogonal to
the opening direction at intervals of I.
[0093] An appropriate length L of each of the plurality of notches
4 is 1 mm to 2 mm, and preferably approximately 1.25 mm to 1.5 mm;
an appropriate width W of an array of the plurality of notches 4
can be properly set according to the number of notches 4 and for
example is approximately 6 mm to 9 mm; an appropriate interval I is
approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm; and an appropriate distance D from
the outer edge portion 6 to the closest end of the notches 4 is 0.5
mm to 2 mm and is preferably approximately 1 mm to 1.25 mm.
[0094] In the sealed portion 2, two sheets of the flexible film are
layered and a thickness P of the sealed portion 2 is approximately
40 to 120 .mu.m in a case of a single layer film and approximately
160 to 240 .mu.m in a case of a multiple layer film.
[0095] Here, it is preferable that the length L of the notch 4 and
the thickness P of the sealed portion 2 satisfy the following
relationship (1).
4.0<L/P<50 (1)
[0096] If L/P is smaller than 4.0, the length L of the notch 4 is
too short with respect to the thickness P of the sealed portion 2,
and this prevents stresses Fu and Fd shown in FIG. 4A (described
later) from being caused and prevents a cleavage from being
generated from the notch 4.
[0097] On the other hand, if L/P is greater than 50, large stresses
Fu and Fd may be applied to the notch 4 during transportation and
the like of the package bag, leading to an unexpected cleavage.
[0098] Given this, the range of L/P in the relationship (1) shown
above is suitable in order to facilitate opening.
[0099] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of
notches 4 shown in FIG. 3A.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 3B, the through hole 5 of the notch 4 has
the shape of a bow enclosed by a linear portion 7 and curved
portion 8.
[0101] In the bag making process, after forming the sealed portion
2, a penetration apparatus makes a projecting cutting part having a
tip end portion composed of a vertical face and an inclined face
penetrate the sealed portion 2, the vertical face of the projecting
cutting part forming the linear portion 7 cut and the inclined face
of the projecting cutting part forming the curved portion 8 cut,
thereby forming the bow-shaped through hole.
[0102] The length of the linear portion 7 is 1 mm to 2 mm and
preferably approximately 1.25 mm to 1.5 mm; and a maximum distance
between the linear portion 7 and the curved portion 8 is
approximately 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm.
[0103] When opening is performed, among an end portion 9 and an end
portion 10 of the linear portion 7, a twisting stress of the
opening action tends to concentrate to the end portion 9 that is
closer to the outer edge portion 6. Given this, as described later,
a cleavage is first generated from the end portion 9, to which the
stress is concentrated, toward the outer edge portion 6. This
cleavage extends the through hole 5 of the notch 4 toward the outer
edge portion 6, to thereby reduce resistance to opening and thus
facilitate opening.
Opening Action
[0104] Next, the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe
notch according to the present invention is described with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0105] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an action of opening the
package bag with safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film
package bag according to the present invention.
[0106] FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams sequentially showing steps of
opening the package bag 1 with safe notch.
[0107] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the
opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch has started.
When a user applies shearing force and tensile force by twisting
the vicinity of the opening start part Ro, in order to open the
package bag 1 with safe notch, the stress Fu toward a front face
and the stress Fd toward a back face as the shearing force, as well
as the stress Ft toward the upper end and the stress Fb toward the
lower base as the tensile force are applied to the vicinity of the
notch 4, as shown in FIG. 4A. Since the stress tends to concentrate
to the end portion 9 of the through hole 5 of the notch 4, a
cleavage is first generated from the end portion 9 toward the outer
edge portion 6.
[0108] FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a
cleavage has been generated after starting the opening action of
the package bag 1 with safe notch.
[0109] As described in FIG. 4A, once the cleavage is generated from
the end portion 9 of the through hole 5 of the notch 4, the through
hole 5 is extended toward the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG.
4B. Thereafter, the stress Fu toward the front face, the stress Fd
toward the back face, the stress Ft toward the upper end, and the
stress Fb toward the lower base, which are subsequently applied,
further extend the through hole 5 toward the outer edge portion 6
as shown in FIG. 4C.
[0110] As the above mentioned stress persists, the extended through
hole 5 of the notch 4 is further extended and ultimately reaches
the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 4D. In this state in
which a long slit is formed from the outer edge portion 6 to the
end portion 10 of the notch 4 on an inner side, opening can easily
proceed in a direction of the slit, under a relatively small force
applied to the end portion 10.
[0111] As described above, in the first embodiment, a plurality of
bow-shaped notches 4 are provided at a position distant by the
predetermined distance D from the outer edge portion 6 of the
package bag 1 with safe notch.
[0112] The package bag 1 with safe notch with the notches 4
provided at a position distant by the predetermined distance D from
the outer edge portion 6 can prevent unintentional breakage or
opening, since there is no cutout or slit in the outer edge portion
6.
[0113] In addition, since the notch 4 has the shape of a bow, a the
tensile force component can be concentrated at the end portion 9 of
the notch 4 and only a small force can make a cleavage from the end
portion 9 on the outer edge side of the through hole 5 of the notch
4, thereby facilitating opening.
Second Embodiment
[0114] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different
from that of FIG. 1, of the package bag with a safe notch as an
embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the
present invention.
[0115] In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the second
embodiment, the outer edge portion 6 of the opening start part Ro
is not straight and is provided with a concave portion 12 formed by
cutting out a trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 5A. Other
configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to
the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment
and a description thereof is therefore omitted.
[0116] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the concave portion 12 shown
in FIG. 5A and illustrates the outer edge portion that is cut out
in a trapezoidal shape, with the outer edge portion 6 being an
upper base of the trapezoidal shape. An appropriate distance D
between the outer edge portion 6 corresponding to the upper base of
the trapezoidal shape and the closest end of the notches 4 is 0.5
mm to 2 mm and preferably approximately 1 mm to 1.25 mm; an
appropriate length Y of the upper base of the trapezoidal shape in
the outer edge portion 6 is approximately 5 mm to 15 mm; an
appropriate length Z of a lower base of the trapezoidal shape being
cut out from the concave portion is approximately 7 mm to 25 mm;
and an appropriate height H of the trapezoidal shape is
approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.
[0117] The concave portion 12 can easily be visually recognized by
a user as the opening start part Ro, and can also allow a visually
handicapped user to easily recognize the opening start part Ro by
touch. Users can thus readily recognize the position of the opening
start part of the package bag 1 with safe notch.
Third Embodiment
[0118] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different
from those of FIGS. 1 and 5, of the package bag with a safe notch
as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the
present invention.
[0119] In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the third
embodiment, the outer edge portion 6 of the opening start part Ro
is not straight and is provided with a convex portion 13 that
projects in a trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 6A. Other
configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to
the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment
and a description thereof is therefore omitted.
[0120] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the convex portion 13 shown
in FIG. 6A and illustrates the outer edge portion that projects in
a trapezoidal shape, with the outer edge portion 6 being an upper
base of the trapezoidal shape. An appropriate distance D between
the outer edge portion 6 corresponding to the upper base of the
trapezoidal shape and the closest end of the notches 4, an
appropriate length Y of the upper base of the trapezoidal shape in
the outer edge portion 6, and an appropriate length Z of a lower
base of the trapezoidal shape that projects are the same as those
in the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the second
embodiment.
[0121] The convex portion 13 can easily be visually recognized by a
user as the opening start part Ro, and can also allow a visually
handicapped user to easily recognize the opening start part Ro by
touch. Users can thus readily recognize the position of the opening
start part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch.
Fourth Embodiment
[0122] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different
from those of FIGS. 1, 5A and 6A, of the package bag with a safe
notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according
to the present invention.
[0123] In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fourth
embodiment, the concave portion 14 as in the second embodiment and
the convex portion 15 as in the third embodiment are provided
respectively in the opening start portions Ro on the two sides of
the package bag 1 with safe notch. Other configurations of the
package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fourth embodiment
are similar to those of the first embodiment and a description
thereof is therefore omitted. The sizes of the concave portion 14
and the convex portion 15 are the same as those in the second
embodiment and the third embodiment, and a description thereof is
therefore omitted.
[0124] The concave portion 14 and the convex portion 15 can easily
be visually recognized by a user as the opening start parts Ro, and
can also allow a visually handicapped user to easily recognize the
opening start parts Ro by touch. Users can thus readily recognize
the position of the opening start part Ro of the package bag 1 with
safe notch.
Fifth Embodiment
[0125] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a
configuration, different from that of FIG. 3A, of the package bag
with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag
according to the present invention.
[0126] In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fifth
embodiment, the plurality of notches 4 are arranged radially toward
the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 8, instead of being
arranged in parallel. In other words, from the viewpoint of
distances between adjacent notches, the distance between the end
portion 9 and the end portion 10 is greater on outer sides. Other
configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to
the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment
and a description thereof is therefore omitted.
[0127] The radial notches 4 are not particularly limited in terms
of number and radiation angle thereof; however, an appropriate
distance L between the end portion 9 that is close to the outer
edge portion 6 and the end portion 10 on an inner side is
approximately 1 mm to 2 mm, and an appropriate width W between the
uppermost end portion and the lowermost end portion of the
plurality of notches 4 is approximately 6 mm to 12 mm.
[0128] Since the plurality of notches 4 of the package bag 1 with
safe notch according to the fifth embodiment is arranged radially
toward the outer edge portion 6, stress upon opening is easily
concentrated from outer side to inner side. Given this, compared to
a case in which the notches 4 are arranged in parallel, the
resistance to opening is reduced and a user can open the package
bag 1 with safe notch more easily.
[0129] It should be noted that the radial arrangement of the
notches 4 in the fifth embodiment is not limited to an application
to a package bag with a straight outer edge portion as in the first
embodiment, and can also be applied to a package bag with the
concave portion 14 and the convex portion 15 as in the second to
fourth embodiments.
[0130] It should also be noted that, although the notches 4 of the
first to fifth embodiments have been described as bow-shaped
through holes, the notches in the package bag with notch are not
necessarily bow shaped through holes penetrating two sheets of film
and may also be configured such that only the linear portion 7
penetrates the film and the curved portion 8 does not penetrate the
film (the bow shaped part is not completely cut out, and a part of
the bow shaped part is connected to the film, looking like a slit
rather than a hole).
[0131] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a shape of the notch 4 in
the flexible film package bag 1 in this case that is different from
that of FIG. 3B.
[0132] In FIG. 9A, in the bow shaped part of the notch, the linear
portion 7 and a part of the curved portion 8 close to the two ends
of the linear portion 7 (shown by a solid line) penetrate two
sheets of film, and the remaining portion of the curved portion 8
(dotted line) does not penetrate the film.
[0133] As shown in FIG. 9B, if the bow shaped notch with a
nonpenetrating part is viewed along a cross section c-c' of FIG. 1,
a part corresponding to the linear portion 7 penetrates two sheets
of film, while a remaining part of the curved portion 8 (shown by a
dotted line in FIG. 9A) is connected to the film, and the bow
shaped part is thus not cut out.
[0134] This provides an effect of not generating bow shaped film
chads during the manufacturing process. Even if the bow shaped hole
is not completely cut out, the shapes of the notch 4 as shown in
FIGS. 9A and 9B can facilitate opening, as the stress is
concentrated to bowstring end parts of the bow shaped part.
[0135] In addition, since the linear portion 7 penetrates the film
while a part of the curved portion 8 remains connected, a cleavage
generated from the end portion 9 on the outer edge portion 6 side
can run straight toward the outer edge portion 6, thereby
facilitating opening.
[0136] The shape of the notch 4 in the above described first to
fifth embodiments is not necessarily limited to the bow shape and
can also be: a linear shape; an isosceles triangle shape arranged
with an apex on an outer side and a base on an inner side; a
rectangular shape arranged with an angle on an outer side
positioned at an end portion; and the like. These shapes can also
provide an effect of facilitating opening of the package bag,
similarly to the above described configuration, as the stress is
concentrated to an end portion (or an apex) on an outer side.
[0137] Several embodiments of the present invention have been
described above; however, these embodiments are merely examples and
do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The
present invention can also be embodied in many different ways and
can be modified in various ways such as by omission and
replacement, within a scope that does not depart from the spirit of
the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof
are within the scope and spirit of the invention described in the
present specification and the like, and are within the scope of the
invention recited in the claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *