JP5918513B2 - Mouth plug and flexible container with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible container provided with a plug and the plug.

  Many products containing liquid seasonings such as vinegar and soy sauce in flexible containers such as film packaging bags and plastic containers are supplied to the market. In such a container, a cap is generally provided at the spout in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the container and deterioration of the quality of the liquid seasoning.

  In such a flexible container, when the liquid seasoning is poured out from the spout, the liquid seasoning comes out by removing the cap and then directing the spout downward or pressurizing the container from the outside. In particular, when the spout is relatively small, the liquid seasoning is dispensed by pushing the barrel of the container.

  Since the spout cannot be closed when the liquid seasoning is poured out, air may enter the container. Under the influence of this air, the liquid seasoning deteriorates with time, and the flavor immediately after production is impaired.

  In addition, when a liquid seasoning is poured out by pushing the drum of the container in a state where air is contained in a container having a relatively small spout, the liquid seasoning is reduced when the remaining amount of the liquid seasoning decreases. In some cases, there is a risk that the liquid seasoning may come out together with the air from the spout and scatter.

  Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, in a normal state, the mouth portion of the container is closed with a valve body, and when the container is pressurized from the outside, the contents move the valve body to open the mouth. An invention has been proposed in which the portion is opened and the contents are discharged.

JP 2010-149938 A JP 2003-191973 A JP 2001-278297 A

  In the stoppers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the valve member is movably disposed inside the mouth portion of the tube container, and when the inside of the tube container is in a decompressed state, the side surface portion of the valve member is the inner wall of the cylindrical body. When the inside of the tube container is in a pressurized state, the side surface portion of the valve member is separated from the inner wall of the mouth portion. However, in this plug structure, since the valve member itself does not have a self-return function, unless the inside of the tube container is in a reduced pressure state, the side portion of the valve member remains separated from the inner wall of the mouth portion and the valve member. The flow path between is not closed. Therefore, it is considered that air easily enters the tube container.

  Further, in the spigot disclosed in Patent Document 3, a channel hole is formed between the inner wall of the mouth portion and the outer wall of the pillar portion while the columnar portion is formed inside the mouth portion of the container, and the opening of the mouth portion is further formed. A pouring tube is joined to the end, and the pouring tube is in contact with an elastic seal valve formed on the side of the columnar portion while covering the columnar portion. According to this plug structure, the space between the columnar part and the dispensing cylinder is normally closed by an elastic seal valve, but the contents in the container retract the elastic seal valve only when the container body is pushed. It is possible to pass between the columnar part and the dispensing cylinder. However, in this spigot structure, it is necessary to make the elastic seal valve so as to abut on the entire inner peripheral surface of the dispensing cylinder, making it difficult to manufacture, and the sealing performance of the elastic seal valve tends to vary. Moreover, it is not easy to adjust the discharge property of the contents.

  Accordingly, in view of the above-described problems of the background art, the present invention has an object to provide a mouth plug that is less likely to allow air to enter the container and has good manufacturability, and a flexible container including the mouth plug. To do.

One aspect of the present invention provides a plug used as the mouth of a flexible container. The plug includes a cylindrical plug body, a valve body having a self-restoring force, and a dispensing cylinder. The spigot body has a cylindrical portion whose upper end is closed and whose lower end is open. A first opening for discharging the liquid is formed on the side surface of the cylindrical portion. The valve body has a cylindrical shape with both ends opened, and is covered on the side surface of the cylindrical portion of the plug body. Further, the lower end portion of the valve body is fixed to the plug body, and the non-fixed portion excluding the lower end portion covers the first opening. The dispensing cylinder is formed so as to cover the valve body, and a second opening for pouring the liquid is formed at the upper end of the dispensing cylinder. The lower end portion of the dispensing tube is fixed to the plug body, and the side wall portion of the dispensing tube is formed away from the non-fixed portion of the valve body. In one aspect, there is a gap between the side surface of the cylindrical portion and the non-adhered portion of the valve body, and the gap includes a portion including the first opening on the side surface of the cylindrical portion near the lower end from the upper end of the cylindrical portion. It is a gap that can be made flat by the surface tension in a state in which the valve body is not pressurized. In another aspect, there is a gap between the side surface of the cylinder part and the non-adhered portion of the valve body, and the gap does not include the first opening on the side surface of the cylinder part from the upper end to the lower end of the cylinder part. A gap formed by being formed flat to the vicinity, and a gap formed on a portion including the first opening on the side surface of the cylindrical portion, and capable of retaining the liquid with surface tension when the valve body is not deformed. ,including.

  Another aspect of the present invention provides a flexible container with a spigot according to the above aspect.

  According to the present invention, by pressurizing the inside of the flexible container, the liquid in the container can be discharged by pushing the valve body from the first opening on the side surface of the plug body. Also, when the inside of the container is not pressurized, the valve body returns to its original shape by the self-restoring force and closes the opening on the side surface of the plug body, so there is no cap or the like that closes the second opening from which liquid is poured. However, air does not enter the container. For this reason, the liquid in the container is not deteriorated by the influence of air.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap with a cap by one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the example of a shape of the cylinder part of the plug main body of one Embodiment. The typical perspective view of the component of the cap with a cap by one Embodiment. The figure which shows the example which mounted | wore with the cap with a cap by one Embodiment as a mouth part of a film packaging bag. The figure which showed a mode that the content was poured out from the film packaging bag provided with the cap with a cap by one Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the example of a shape of the cylinder part of the plug main body by another embodiment. The top view which showed the motion of the valve body when a liquid comes out from the cylinder part of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cap with a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut along its central axis. The cap with cap of this embodiment is preferably used as a mouth part of a flexible container such as a film packaging bag or a plastic container.

  Referring to FIG. 1, this cap-attached plug includes a plug body 1 having a cylindrical portion 1 a, a tubular valve body 2 fixed to the side surface of the plug body 1, and a plug that covers the valve body 2. A pouring tube 3 joined to the main body 1 and a cap 4 screwed onto the pouring tube 3 are provided.

  More specifically, the plug body 1 has a cylindrical portion 1a having an upper end closed and a lower end opened. A first opening 1b for discharging liquid (for example, liquid seasoning such as soy sauce) that flows upward from the lower end side of the plug body 1 is formed on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a. One or a plurality of first openings 1b may be formed. When forming a plurality of openings 1b, it is desirable to arrange openings of the same size at equal intervals. The material of the plug body 1 is preferably polyethylene.

  The valve body 2 is a flexible part made of an elastomer such as silicone rubber, and has a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The valve body 2 is placed on the side surface of the tube portion 1 a of the plug body 1, and the lower end portion of the valve body 2 is fixed to the tube portion 1 a of the plug body 1. On the other hand, the part of the valve body 2 that is not fixed to the cylinder part 1a (hereinafter referred to as a non-adhered part) is arranged so as to cover the opening 1b on the side surface of the cylinder part 1a. On the other hand, it can be freely deformed. Further, since the valve body 2 is made of an elastomer, it has a self-restoring force.

  Further, a predetermined clearance CL is opened between the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a and the non-fixed portion of the valve body 2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the cylindrical portion 1a has a shape in which a part of the side surface of the cylinder whose upper end is closed is a flat surface 1c from the upper end of the cylinder to the vicinity of the lower end. An opening 1b is formed. The place where the flat surface 1c is provided does not have to be in two opposite places like the side face of the cylindrical portion 1a shown in FIG. 2, and may be in at least one place. A valve body 2 having an inner diameter equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the cylinder is placed on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a formed in this manner. Thereby, a clearance CL is formed between the flat portion 1c on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a and the non-fixed portion of the valve body 2.

  The clearance CL may be formed over the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 1a. In this case, the cylindrical part 1a is such that the outer diameter of the part corresponding to the non-fixed part of the valve body 2 is reduced compared to the outer diameter of the part corresponding to the lower end part of the valve body 2 (not shown). .

  The clearance CL provided by the two types of cylindrical portions 1a is desirably a clearance that can hold a liquid such as a liquid seasoning with surface tension when the valve body 2 is not pressurized.

  Further, the dispensing cylinder 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The material of the dispensing tube 3 is preferably polyethylene. The side wall portion of the dispensing cylinder 3 is formed so as to cover the valve body 2 away from the non-fixed portion of the valve body 2 and is fixed to the lower end portion of the spigot body 1. A second opening 3 a for pouring a liquid such as a liquid seasoning is formed in the upper end surface of the dispensing cylinder 3 in a trumpet shape.

  A male screw 3 b is provided on the outer surface of the side wall portion of the dispensing cylinder 3, and a screw-type cap 4 is attached from the outside of the dispensing cylinder 3. The material of the cap 4 is preferably polyethylene.

  A protrusion 4a for closing the second opening 3a is formed on the inner side of the cap 4, and the protrusion 4a enters the second opening 3a when the cap 4 is attached to the dispensing cylinder 3, and the second opening 3a is inserted into the second opening 3a. The opening 3a is closed. In addition, although the cap 4 of this embodiment is a screw cap of the type twisted and opened from the extraction | pouring cylinder 3, this invention is not limited to this.

  3 is a schematic perspective view of components of the cap with cap shown in FIG. However, the cap 4 is not illustrated. As can be seen from this figure, the plug body 1, the valve body 2, the extraction cylinder 3, and the cap so that the valve body 2, the extraction cylinder 3, and the cap 4 are covered in this order on the outside of the cylindrical portion of the plug body 1. By combining 4 and joining each other, a cap with a cap as shown in FIG. 1 is completed.

  FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the cap with cap shown in FIG. 1 is mounted as a mouth portion of a film packaging bag. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower end portion of the dispensing tube 3 has a shape projecting sideways (projecting portion 3 c). This overhanging portion 3c is sandwiched between the film portions at the upper end or the lower end of the film packaging bag 5, and both side surfaces of the overhanging portion 3c and each film portion are hermetically bonded by a heat fusion method.

  The container to which the cap with cap of the present invention can be attached is not limited to the above-described film packaging bag 5 and may be any flexible container such as a plastic container.

  Next, the liquid pouring method using the spigot of this embodiment will be described.

  In the film packaging bag 5 with the cap plug as described above, when the bag body is pressurized by hand as shown in FIG. 5, liquid such as liquid seasoning contained in the bag is discharged. Poured out.

  Specifically, when the cap 4 is removed from the dispensing tube 3 and the body of the film packaging bag 5 is pushed, the bag internal pressure increases. Thereby, as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 1, liquids, such as a liquid seasoning, pass through the inner side of the plug main body 1, and are discharged | emitted from the 1st opening 1b.

  The liquid discharged from the first opening 1b deforms the valve body 2 so as to widen the clearance CL between the valve body 2 and the cylinder portion 1a, passes between the valve body 2 and the cylinder portion 1a, and passes through the second It is poured out from the opening 3a.

  Thereafter, when the pressing of the body of the film packaging bag 5 is stopped, the non-fixed portion of the valve body 2 returns to its original shape by the self-restoring force, and the first opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a is covered. At this time, there is a clearance CL between the non-fixed member of the valve body 2 and the surface portion including the opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a, but the liquid remains in the clearance CL with surface tension. For this reason, air cannot enter the clearance CL, and air cannot enter the inside of the cylindrical portion 1a from the opening 1b. Therefore, the flavor immediately after manufacture can be maintained about the liquid seasoning in a bag.

  In order to satisfactorily realize the function of the valve body 2 as described above, the thickness of the valve body 2 made of silicone rubber is about 0.1 to 0.3 [mm], preferably 0.2 [mm]. good. The clearance between the cylindrical portion 1a and the valve body 2 is zero or less except for the flat surface 1c for providing the clearance CL, and the initial clearance CL at the flat surface 1c is 0 [mm. ] It was preferred by experiments that <CL <0.2 [mm].

  Speaking of the range of the clearance CL, if the non-fixed member of the valve body 2 is brought into close contact with the flat portion 1c including the opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a, the intrusion of air into the bag can be sufficiently prevented. However, in this case, since the clearance CL is less than or equal to zero, an excessive pressing force is required on the bag in order to extend the clearance CL by extending the valve 2 so that the liquid can pass between the valve 2 and the cylindrical portion 1a. become. As a result, it is difficult for the liquid to come out from the bag mouth and to be poured. That is, the liquid discharge property is not good. On the other hand, if the clearance CL is too large, the liquid cannot remain in the clearance CL due to surface tension even if the body of the bag is stopped and the valve body 2 returns to its original shape, and air enters the bag. I will forgive you. For this reason, it is desirable to provide the first clearance CL in the range of about 0 [mm] <CL <0.1 [mm] as described above.

  Furthermore, if the clearance CL is adjusted in accordance with the properties of the liquid in the bag, a flexible container having an optimal discharge property and sealing property for the liquid can be provided.

(Other embodiments)
Moreover, even if the cylinder part 1a is a form different from the form of FIG. 2, the flexible container provided with the cap with a cap provided with the optimal discharge property and sealability can be provided. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the cylindrical portion 1a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical portion 1a of another form has a shape in which a part of a side surface of a cylinder whose upper end is closed is a flat surface 1c from the upper end of the cylinder to the vicinity of the lower end. An opening 1b is formed in the curved surface of the removed cylinder. The flat surface 1c may be provided at least at one location, but more preferably, the flat surface 1c may be provided at two opposing locations such as the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, openings 1b are respectively formed on two opposing curved surfaces of the cylinder excluding the flat surface 1c.

  The side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a formed in this way is covered with a valve body 2 having an inner diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder, and the flat portion 1c on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a and the valve body 2 A clearance CL is formed between the non-adhered portion (see FIG. 7A).

  Except such a form, it is the same as the cap with cap mentioned above with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the liquid pouring method using the spigot of this embodiment will be described.

  When the cap 4 is removed from the dispensing tube 3 and the body of the film packaging bag 5 is pushed, the pressure inside the bag increases. Thereby, liquids, such as a liquid seasoning, try to go out from the 1st opening 1b through the inner side of the plug main body 1. FIG. The liquid that has passed through the opening 1b pushes the part of the valve body 2 corresponding to the opening 1b. At this time, the valve body 2 tries to maintain its peripheral length so that the clearance CL at the flat portion 1c is narrowed by the amount of the portion of the valve body 2 corresponding to the opening 1b away from the side surface of the cylindrical portion 1a. Deformation (see FIG. 7B). As a result, a passage for the liquid S is formed between the valve body 2 and the cylindrical portion 1a, and the liquid S that has passed through the passage is poured out from the second opening 3a.

  Thereafter, when the pressing of the body of the film packaging bag 5 is stopped, the non-fixed portion of the valve body 2 returns to its original shape by the self-restoring force, and the first opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a is covered. At this time, the valve body 2 is in contact with the surface portion including the first opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a and closes the first opening 1b. For this reason, air cannot enter into the inside of the cylinder part 1a from the opening 1b. Therefore, the flavor immediately after manufacture can be maintained about the liquid seasoning in a bag.

  In order to satisfactorily realize the function of the valve body 2 as described above, the thickness of the valve body 2 made of silicone rubber is about 0.1 to 0.3 [mm], preferably 0.2 [mm]. good. The clearance dimension X (see FIG. 7A) between the cylinder portion 1a and the valve body 2 is about 0 <X <0.2 [mm] except for the flat surface 1c for providing the clearance CL. In addition, the initial clearance CL was preferably about 0.5 [mm] <CL <2.0 [mm] by experiments.

  Speaking of the gap size between the cylindrical part 1a and the valve body 2 except for the flat surface 1c, if the non-fixed member of the valve body 2 is brought into close contact with the surface part including the opening 1b of the cylindrical part 1a, Intrusion of air can be sufficiently prevented. However, in this case, it is necessary to stretch the valve body 2 with the pressure of the liquid from the opening 1 to secure a liquid passage between the valve body 2 and the cylinder portion 1a, and the pressing pressure of the bag becomes excessive. As a result, it is difficult for the liquid to come out from the bag mouth and to be poured. That is, the liquid discharge property is not good. On the other hand, if the gap between the non-adhering member of the valve body 2 and the surface portion including the opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a is too large, even if the valve body 2 returns to its original shape by stopping pressing the bag body, The liquid cannot stay in the gap due to the surface tension, allowing air to enter the bag. For this reason, it is desirable that the gap dimension X between the cylindrical portion 1a and the valve body 2 excluding the flat surface 1c is in a range of about 0 <X <0.2 [mm].

  Further, regarding the range of the clearance CL at the flat portion 1c, the portion of the valve body 2 corresponding to the opening 1b is included in the opening 1b of the cylindrical portion 1a while maintaining the circumferential length of the valve body 2 when the liquid is discharged. It may be a dimension range that makes it easy to move away from the surface portion. When the initial clearance CL is about 0.5 [mm] <CL <2.0 [mm], a liquid passage can be secured without applying a large liquid pressure to the valve body 2.

  If the gap dimension X and the clear rinse CL are adjusted according to the properties of the liquid in the bag, a flexible container having optimum discharge performance and sealing performance for the liquid can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plug body 1a Tube part 1b 1st opening 1c Flat surface 2 Valve body 3 Outflow cylinder 3a 2nd opening 3b Male screw 3c Overhang | projection part 4 Cap 4a Protrusion 5 Film packaging bag F Liquid flow S Liquid

Claims (4)

A plug used as a mouth of a flexible container,
A plug main body having a cylindrical portion whose upper end is closed and whose lower end is opened, and a first opening for discharging liquid is formed on a side surface of the cylindrical portion;
Both ends are formed into a cylindrical shape, covered on the side surface of the cylindrical portion, the lower end portion is fixed to the plug body, and the non-fixed portion excluding the lower end portion covers the first opening, A flexible valve body with self-restoring power,
A pouring cylinder formed so as to cover the valve body, the second opening for pouring out the liquid is formed at the upper end of the pouring cylinder, the lower end is fixed to the plug body, An extraction tube having a side wall formed away from the non-adhered portion of the valve body;
Equipped with a,
There is a gap between the side surface of the cylindrical portion and the non-fixed portion of the valve body, and the gap includes a portion including the first opening on the side surface of the cylindrical portion in the vicinity of the lower end from the upper end of the cylindrical portion. A mouthpiece that is a gap that can be formed to be flat and can hold the liquid with surface tension when the valve body is not pressurized . A plug used as a mouth of a flexible container,
A plug main body having a cylindrical portion whose upper end is closed and whose lower end is opened, and a first opening for discharging liquid is formed on a side surface of the cylindrical portion;
Both ends are formed into a cylindrical shape, covered on the side surface of the cylindrical portion, the lower end portion is fixed to the plug body, and the non-fixed portion excluding the lower end portion covers the first opening, A flexible valve body with self-restoring power,
A pouring cylinder formed so as to cover the valve body, the second opening for pouring out the liquid is formed at the upper end of the pouring cylinder, the lower end is fixed to the plug body, An extraction tube having a side wall formed away from the non-adhered portion of the valve body;
With
There is a gap between the side surface of the cylindrical portion and the non-fixed portion of the valve body, and the gap does not include the first opening on the side surface of the cylindrical portion from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical portion. A gap formed by being formed flat to the vicinity and a portion including the first opening on the side surface of the cylindrical portion, and the liquid is applied with surface tension in a state where the valve body is not deformed. and a gap to be fastened, the including mouth plug. The plug according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a cap that is attached to the outside of the dispensing tube and can close the second opening. A flexible container comprising the spigot according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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