JP7449475B2 - pouch - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a pouch comprising a container for containing contents and a first non-sealed portion separated from the container by a first side seal.

Conventionally, many pouches made of plastic laminates are filled and sealed with cooked or semi-cooked liquid, viscous, or a mixture of liquid and solid contents on the market. In the pouch, a non-sealed portion where the laminates are not joined constitutes a storage portion in which the contents are stored. Further, the seal portion where the laminates are joined together seals the housing portion. The contents are, for example, cooked foods such as curry, stew, and soup. The contents are heated in the pouch using a microwave oven or the like.

By the way, when the contents housed in a sealed pouch are heated using a microwave oven, the water contained in the contents evaporates as the contents are heated, increasing the pressure in the containing part. If the pressure in the pouch storage area increases, there is a risk that the pouch will burst and the contents will scatter, contaminating the inside of the microwave oven. In consideration of such issues, Patent Document 1, for example, proposes that the pouch be provided with a steam release mechanism that automatically communicates the housing part with the outside when the pressure in the housing part increases and releases the steam inside the housing part to the outside. is suggesting. In Patent Document 1, the steam release mechanism includes an intermediate seal portion located between the upper side seal portion and the lower side seal portion of the pouch, and is isolated from the storage portion by the intermediate seal portion, and a non-sealing portion that extends to reach the side edge of the non-sealing portion. When the pressure in the accommodating part increases, the intermediate seal part peels off, and the accommodating part and the non-sealed part communicate with each other. When the accommodating part and the non-sealed part communicate with each other, steam in the accommodating part flows into the non-sealed part. The steam that has entered the non-sealed portion is exhausted to the outside through the openings on the side edges of the pouch.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-74457

In a type of pouch in which steam is discharged to the outside through an opening at the side edge of the pouch, if steam remains in the non-sealed portion, the opening may become clogged.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pouch that can effectively solve these problems.

The present invention provides a pouch in which a storage part for accommodating contents is defined between a front film and a back film, and the pouch is located on a first side of the pouch, and is arranged between an inner surface of the front film and the back film. a first side seal part that joins the inner surface of the pouch; and a second side part of the pouch opposite to the first side part, the housing part being defined between the first side seal part and the first side seal part. a second side seal part, a lower seal part connected to the first side seal part and the second side seal part, and a lower seal part located near the top of the pouch, and the first side seal part a first non-sealed portion separated from the accommodating portion by a first non-sealed portion, the first non-sealed portion extending to reach a first side edge of the first side of the pouch; an upper seal portion extending along the first side portion from the first non-seal portion toward the top of the pouch; and an upper seal portion extending from the first non-seal portion toward the bottom of the pouch. a lower seal portion extending along the upper seal portion, one end of which is connected to the upper seal portion, the other end of which is connected to the lower seal portion, and located between the accommodation portion and the first non-seal portion. an intermediate seal portion, the inner edge of the intermediate seal portion is located closer to the lower seal portion, a first inner edge, a second inner edge, and connects the first inner edge and the second inner edge. an inner edge first connecting portion, the first inner edge extending from the inner edge first connecting portion toward the lower seal portion, and the second inner edge extending from the inner edge first connecting portion to the lower seal portion. The edge of the first non-sealed portion extends toward the upper side of the pouch, and the edge portion of the first non-sealed portion has a first connecting portion located opposite to the inner edge first connecting portion, and a first connecting portion of the pouch that is closer to the first connecting portion than the first connecting portion. a guide edge located on an upper side and extending so as to be at least partially displaced toward the first side toward the top of the pouch.

In the pouch according to the invention, the guide edge may extend to the first side edge of the first side.

In the pouch according to the invention, the guide edge may extend linearly.

In the pouch according to the present invention, the guide edge portion may at least partially include a shape that is convex from the first non-sealing portion side toward the accommodating portion side.

In the pouch according to the invention said guide edge may be at least partially curved.

In the pouch according to the present invention, the edge of the first non-sealed part includes a first edge and a second edge connected by the first connecting part, and the first edge is connected to the first connecting part. The second edge extends from the first connecting portion toward the first side edge, and the second edge extends at least partially toward the first side edge as it moves from the first connecting portion toward the top of the pouch. and may function as the guide edge.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the steam that has flowed into the non-sealed portion from the accommodating portion from remaining.

It is a front view showing a pouch in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the pouch shown in FIG. 1 taken along line II-II. It is a front view which expands and shows the intermediate seal part and the 1st non-seal part of the 1st side seal part of a pouch. It is a front view which shows the relationship between the intermediate seal part of the 1st side seal part of a pouch, a 1st non-seal part, and an imaginary straight line. It is a figure for demonstrating the inner edge 1st connection part. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the layer structure of a laminate that constitutes a pouch. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the state when the pouch is heated. It is a figure which shows a mode that the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part peels off at an inner edge 1st connection part, and an accommodating part connects with a 1st non-seal part. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how steam is discharged from the storage section to the first non-sealed section. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the pouch. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the pouch. 14 is an enlarged front view showing an intermediate seal portion of the second side seal portion of FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the intermediate seal portion of the second side seal portion. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the intermediate seal portion of the second side seal portion. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. It is a front view which shows the intermediate seal part of a 1st side seal part, and a modification of a 1st non-seal part. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the pouch.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In addition, in the drawings attached to this specification, for convenience of illustration and ease of understanding, the scale and the vertical and horizontal dimension ratios are appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual drawings.

In addition, terms such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "identical" and values of length and angle used in this specification that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and their degrees must be strictly The term shall be interpreted to include the extent to which similar functions can be expected, without being bound by meaning.

Pouch FIG. 1 is a front view of a pouch 10 according to the present embodiment, viewed from the front side. In this embodiment, the pouch 10 is a bottom gusset type pouch that is configured to be self-supporting. The pouch 10 includes an upper part 11, a lower part 12, a first side part 13, and a second side part 14, and has a substantially rectangular outline in a front view. In addition, names such as "upper part", "lower part", and "side part", and terms such as "upper part" and "lower part" are based on the state in which the pouch 10 stands on its own with the gusset part facing down. It is merely a relative representation of the positions and directions of 10 and its constituent elements. The posture of the pouch 10 during transportation or use is not limited by the names and terms used in this specification.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the pouch 10 is shown in a state in which no contents are accommodated. The pouch 10 according to the present embodiment is configured so that it can be suitably used as a microwave pouch whose contents are heated in a microwave oven. The contents accommodated in the pouch 10 are not particularly limited as long as they can be heated in a microwave oven. For example, the contents accommodated in the pouch 10 include cooked foods such as curry, stew, soup, boiled food, and hamburger steak.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pouch 10 includes a front film 15 constituting the front surface, a back film 16 constituting the back surface, and a lower film 17 constituting the lower part 12. A storage section 18 for accommodating contents is defined between the front film 15 and the back film 16. The lower film 17 is placed between the front film 15 and the back film 16 in a folded state at the folded portion 17f. In FIG. 1, components such as the back film 16 that are not visible when the pouch 10 is viewed from the front side are indicated by dotted lines.

Note that the terms "front film", "back film", and "lower film" mentioned above are merely divisions of each film according to the positional relationship, and the method of providing the film when manufacturing the pouch 10 is It is not intended to be limited by the above terms. For example, the pouch 10 may be manufactured using one film in which the front film 15, the back film 16, and the lower film 17 are arranged in series, or the pouch 10 may be manufactured using one film in which the front film 15 and the lower film 17 are arranged in series. It may be manufactured using a total of two films, a film and one back film 16, or a total of three films, one front film 15, one back film 16, and one bottom film 17. It may be manufactured using

The inner surfaces of the front film 15, the back film 16, and the lower film 17 are joined to each other by a seal portion. In a plan view of the pouch 10 such as in FIG. 1, the seal portion is hatched. Note that the method for forming the seal portion is not particularly limited as long as opposing films can be joined together. For example, the sealed portion may be formed by melting the inner surfaces of the film by heating and welding the inner surfaces together, that is, by heat sealing. Alternatively, the seal portion may be formed by bonding the inner surfaces of opposing films together using an adhesive or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seal portion of the pouch 10 includes a first side seal portion 30, a second side seal portion 35, and a lower seal portion 12a. The first side seal 30 is located on the first side 13 of the pouch 10. The second side seal portion 35 is located on the second side 14 of the pouch 10 opposite to the first side 13 . The lower seal portion 12 a is located at the lower portion 12 of the pouch 10 and is connected to the first side seal portion 30 and the second side seal portion 35 . A non-sealed portion surrounded by the first side seal portion 30, the second side seal portion 35, and the lower seal portion 12a functions as the accommodating portion 18 for accommodating the contents.

The first side seal portion 30 and the second side seal portion 35 join the inner surface of the front film 15 and the inner surface of the back film 16. On the other hand, the lower seal portion 12a joins the inner surface of the front film 15 and the inner surface of the lower film 17, or the inner surface of the back film 16 and the inner surface of the lower film 17.

In addition to the non-sealed portion functioning as the storage portion 18, the pouch 10 further includes a first non-sealed portion 40 separated from the storage portion 18 by a first side seal portion 30, as shown in FIG. . The non-sealed portion is a portion where there is a film whose opposing inner surfaces are not bonded to each other. The first non-sealed portion 40 is located closer to the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10. "Close to the upper part 11" means that the first non-sealed part 40 and the second non-sealed part 45 are located closer to the upper part 11 than the center point C of the accommodating part 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first non-sealed portion 40 widens to reach the first side edge 13x of the first side portion 13 of the pouch 10. In other words, the first non-sealed portion 40 has an opening edge 41 that overlaps the first side edge 13x and is open to the outside.

The first side seal portion 30 and the first non-seal portion 40 will be further explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first side seal portion 30 has an upper seal portion 31, a lower seal portion 32, and an intermediate seal portion 33. The upper sealed portion 31 extends along the first side portion 13 from the first unsealed portion 40 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 . The lower sealed portion 32 extends along the first side 13 from the first unsealed portion 40 toward the lower portion 12 of the pouch 10 . The intermediate seal portion 33 is located between the accommodating portion 18 and the first non-seal portion 40 . The intermediate seal portion 33 includes one end connected to the upper seal portion 31 and the other end connected to the lower seal portion 32.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pouch 10 shown in FIG. 1, taken along line II-II. When the pouch 10 is heated and steam is generated in the accommodating part 18 and the pressure in the accommodating part 18 increases, the intermediate seal part 33 is partially peeled off and the accommodating part 18 and the first non-sealed part 40 communicate with each other. The steam that has flowed into the first non-sealed portion 40 from the accommodating portion 18 is discharged to the outside from the opening edge 41. In this way, the intermediate seal portion 33 and the first non-seal portion 40 function as a steam release mechanism that discharges steam from the storage portion 18 to the outside.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged front view showing the intermediate seal portion 33 and the first non-seal portion 40 of the first side seal portion 30 of the pouch 10. FIG. The intermediate seal portion 33 includes an inner edge 34 that is an edge located on the accommodating portion 18 side, and an outer edge that is an edge located on the first non-sealed portion 40 side. The outer edge of the intermediate seal portion 33 defines the outline of a portion of the edge of the first non-seal portion 40 that is located closer to the accommodating portion 18 than the upper seal portion 31 or the lower seal portion 32 .

In this embodiment, the inner edge 34 of the intermediate seal portion 33 includes a first inner edge 341, a second inner edge 342, a third inner edge 343, and an inner edge first connecting portion 346 that connects the first inner edge 341 and the second inner edge 342. and an inner edge second connecting portion 347 that connects the second inner edge 342 and the third inner edge 343.

The first inner edge 341 extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the lower seal portion 32 . The first inner edge 341 may extend linearly as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the first inner edge 341 extends substantially in the left-right direction D1 toward the lower seal portion 32. The angle between the direction in which the first inner edge 341 extends and the left-right direction D1 is, for example, 10 degrees or less. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first inner edge 341 may be connected to the inner edge of the lower seal portion 32.

The second inner edge 342 extends from the first inner edge connecting portion 346 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 so as to be at least partially displaced toward the second side portion 14 . The angle θ1 formed by the direction in which the first inner edge 341 extends and the direction in which the second inner edge 342 extends in the first inner edge connecting portion 346 is, for example, 30° or more and 120° or less.

The second inner edge 342 may at least partially include a shape that is convex from the first non-sealing portion 40 side toward the accommodating portion 18 side. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the second inner edge 342 as a whole includes a shape that is convex from the first non-sealing part 40 side toward the accommodating part 18 side. Additionally, the second inner edge 342 may be at least partially curved, as shown in FIG. 3A.

The third inner edge 343 extends from the inner edge second connecting portion 347 toward the upper seal portion 31 side. The third inner edge 343 may extend linearly as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the third inner edge 343 extends substantially in the left-right direction D1 toward the upper seal portion 31. The angle between the direction in which the third inner edge 343 extends and the left-right direction D1 is, for example, 10 degrees or less. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first inner edge 341 may be connected to the inner edge of the upper seal portion 31.

Inner edge connecting portions such as the first inner edge connecting portion 346 and the second inner edge connecting portion 347 are defined as portions where the direction in which the inner edge 34 extends changes. For example, when the first inner edge 341 and the second inner edge 342 extend linearly, the inner edge first connecting portion 346 is located between the first inner edge 341 and the second inner edge 342, and the first inner edge 341 extends in the direction in which the first inner edge 341 extends. are portions extending in different directions and in a direction different from the direction in which the second inner edge 342 extends.

Further, when the first inner edge 341 and the second inner edge 342 are partially curved, the inner edge first connecting portion 346 is a portion including an angle change point where the amount of change in the direction in which the inner edge 34 extends is 30 degrees or more. may be defined. The same applies to other inner edge connecting portions such as the second inner edge connecting portion 347. Connection portions at the edges of the first non-sealed portion 40, such as a first connection portion 436 and a second connection portion 437, which will be described later, are also defined in the same manner as the inner edge connection portions. Hereinafter, the angle change point will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the inner edge 34. As shown in FIG. The symbol P0 represents one point located on the inner edge 34. In the example shown in FIG. 4, point P0 is located on the inner edge first connecting portion 346. In the example shown in FIG. The symbol P1 represents an upper point displaced along the inner edge 34 by 5 mm from the point P0 toward the upper seal portion 31. The symbol P2 represents a lower point displaced along the inner edge 34 by 5 mm from point P0 toward the lower seal portion 32. The symbol D(P1) represents the direction in which the inner edge 34 extends at the upper point P1. The symbol D (P2) represents the direction in which the inner edge 34 extends at the lower point P2. The symbol θ (P0) represents the angle formed by the direction D (P1) and the direction D (P2). The angle θ(P0) calculated in this way is the amount of change in the angle of the inner edge 34 at the point P0. Further, a point P0 where the angle θ(P0) is 30° or more is referred to as an angle change point. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner edge first connecting portion 346 includes an angle change point P0.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the amount of angular change is 30° or more not only at point P0 but also at points P0' and P0'' located near point P0 on the inner edge 34. . In this case, the first inner edge connecting portion 346 is defined as a portion of the inner edge 34 that includes a point where the amount of angular change is 30° or more.

The first inner edge connecting portion 346 is located closer to the lower seal portion 32. “Close to the lower seal portion 32” means that the inner edge first connecting portion 346 is located closer to the lower seal portion 32 than the center of the opening edge 41 in the vertical direction D2. On the other hand, the inner edge second connecting portion 347 is located closer to the upper seal portion 31. “Close to the upper seal portion 31” means that the inner edge second connecting portion 347 is located closer to the upper seal portion 31 than the center of the opening edge 41 in the vertical direction D2.

The first inner edge connecting portion 346 is configured such that the distance from the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 to the first inner edge connecting portion 346 is smaller than the distance from the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 to the other inner edge connecting portions. ing. For example, in this embodiment, the distance from the center point C to the first inner edge connecting portion 346 is smaller than the distance from the center point C to the second inner edge connecting portion 347. For this reason, peeling of the inner edge connecting portion that occurs when the pouch 10 is heated tends to occur first at the inner edge first connecting portion 346.

Next, the edge of the first non-sealed portion 40 will be explained. The edge of the first non-sealed portion 40 includes an opening edge 41 located at the first side edge 13x of the first side portion 13, a lower edge of the upper seal portion 31, a lower edge of the lower seal portion 32, and an intermediate portion. and an edge 43 on the sealing part side defined by the outer edge of the sealing part 33. In this embodiment, the edge 43 on the sealing side connects the first edge 431 and the second edge 432, and the first edge 431 and the second edge 432, as shown in FIG. 3A. A first connecting portion 436 is included. The first connecting portion 436 faces the inner first connecting portion 346 .

The first edge 431 extends from the first connecting portion 436 toward the opening edge 41 side. For example, the first edge 431 extends substantially in the left-right direction D1 toward the opening edge 41. The angle between the direction in which the first edge 431 extends and the left-right direction D1 is, for example, 10 degrees or less. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the first edge 431 extends linearly until it reaches the opening edge 41. In the example shown in FIG.

The second edge portion 432 is connected to the first connecting portion 436 closer to the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 than the first connecting portion 436 is. Further, the second edge 432 extends from the first connecting portion 436 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 so as to be at least partially displaced toward the first side portion 13 side. Therefore, the second edge 432 can function as a guide edge that guides the steam that has entered the first non-sealed portion 40 to the opening edge 41. The angle θ2 formed by the direction in which the first edge 431 extends and the direction in which the second edge 432 extends in the first connecting portion 436 is, for example, 30° or more and 120° or less.

The second edge portion 432 may at least partially include a shape that is convex from the first non-sealed portion 40 side toward the accommodating portion 18 side. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the second edge portion 432 as a whole includes a shape that is convex from the first non-sealing portion 40 side toward the accommodating portion 18 side.

Additionally, the second edge 432 may be at least partially curved. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the second edge 432 extends such that the curved portion reaches the opening edge 41. A direction D21 in which the second edge 432 extends at the end of the second edge 432 on the first connecting portion 436 side, and a direction in which the second edge 432 extends at the end of the second edge 432 on the opening edge 41 side. The angle θ20 (see FIG. 3A) formed by D22 is, for example, 10° or more and 90° or less. The traveling direction of the steam flowing into the first non-sealed portion 40 and flowing along the second edge 432 may be changed by the second edge 432 by an angle θ20.

Next, the dimensions of the first side seal portion 30 and the first non-seal portion 40 will be explained.

In FIG. 3A, the symbols W1 and W2 represent the width of the upper seal portion 31 and the width of the lower seal portion 32, respectively. The width W1 of the upper seal portion 31 and the width W2 of the lower seal portion 32 are, for example, 4 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

In FIG. 3A, symbols W7 and W8 represent the width of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 extending along the first inner edge 341 and the width of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 extending along the second inner edge 342, respectively. Preferably, width W7 and width W8 are smaller than width W1 of upper seal portion 31 and width W2 of lower seal portion 32. For example, the width W7 and the width W8 are 1 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and may be 2 mm or more and 6 mm or less. Note that the width of each portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 is a dimension of the intermediate seal portion 33 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the inner edge 34 of the intermediate seal portion 33 extends.

In FIG. 3A, the symbol L1 represents the dimension of the opening edge 41 in the vertical direction D2. Preferably, the dimension of the first non-sealed portion 40 in the vertical direction D2 overlaps with the first side edge 13x of the first side portion 13 of the pouch 10 in the first non-sealed portion 40. It is configured to be maximum at the opening edge 41, that is, at the opening edge 41. Thereby, steam can be smoothly discharged from the opening edge 41 to the outside. The dimension L1 is, for example, 4 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

Next, the relationship between the first side seal portion 30 intermediate seal portion 33 and first non-seal portion 40 of the pouch 10 and the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 will be explained based on the virtual straight line M. As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual straight line M is a virtual straight line that extends from the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 to the first non-sealed portion 40 in the shortest distance.

FIG. 3B is a diagram in which a virtual straight line M is added to FIG. 3A and some of the symbols are deleted. As shown in FIG. 3B, the virtual straight line M may intersect with the above-mentioned inner edge first connecting portion 346 of the intermediate seal portion 33. As shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the angle θ21 between the virtual straight line M and the direction in which the first edge 431 extends is smaller than the angle θ22 between the virtual straight line M and the direction in which the second edge 432 extends. Note that the above-mentioned angle θ2 formed by the direction in which the first edge 431 extends and the direction in which the second edge 432 extends is the sum of the angle θ21 and the angle θ22. Although not shown, the angle θ21 between the virtual straight line M and the direction in which the first edge 431 extends may be larger than the angle θ22 between the virtual straight line M and the direction in which the second edge 432 extends.

Next, the relationship between the first side edge 13x of the first side portion 13 of the pouch 10 and the virtual straight line M will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, the intersection M3 between the first side edge 13x and the virtual straight line M may be located in the first non-sealed portion 40 in plan view. In other words, the virtual straight line M may intersect with the first side edge 13x in plan view at the opening edge 41, which is the portion of the first side edge 13x that overlaps with the first non-sealed portion 40.

Next, the layer structure of the laminate 50 that constitutes the front film 15 and the back film 16 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the layer structure of the laminate 50.

The laminate 50 includes at least a base material layer 51 and a sealant layer 52. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the base material layer 51 constitutes the outer surface 50y of the laminate 50, and the sealant layer 52 constitutes the inner surface 50x of the laminate 50. Moreover, the laminate 50 may further include an adhesive layer 53 that adheres the base material layer 51 and the sealant layer 52. The thickness of the laminate 50 is, for example, 60 μm or more, more preferably 70 μm or more. Further, the thickness of the laminate 50 is, for example, 110 μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or less.

As the material constituting the base layer 51, for example, plastics such as polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon, and polyolefins such as high-density polyethylene and polypropylene can be used. The thickness of the base material layer 51 is, for example, 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

As the material constituting the sealant layer 52, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene such as ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMMA), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) can be used. The thickness of the sealant layer 52 is, for example, 40 μm or more, and more preferably 50 μm or more. Further, the thickness of the sealant layer 52 is, for example, 100 μm or less, and more preferably 70 μm or less.

The laminate 50 may include layers other than the base layer 51, the sealant layer 52, and the adhesive layer 53. For example, the laminate 50 may further include an intermediate layer located between the base layer 51 and the sealant layer 52. An appropriate intermediate layer may be selected depending on the required performance, such as water vapor and other gas barrier properties, light shielding properties, and various mechanical strengths.

Next, the layer structure of the lower film 17 will be explained. The layer structure of the lower film 17 is arbitrary as long as it has an inner surface that can be joined to the inner surface of the front film 15 and the inner surface of the back film 16. For example, similarly to the front film 15 and the back film 16, the above-mentioned laminate 50 may be used as the lower film 17. Alternatively, a film whose inner surface is composed of a sealant layer and whose structure is different from that of the laminate 50 may be used as the lower film 17.

Method for Manufacturing Pouch Next, a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned pouch 10 will be described. First, the front film 15 and the back film 16 made of the laminate 50 are prepared. Further, a folded lower film 17 is inserted between the front film 15 and the back film 16. Subsequently, the inner surfaces of each film are heat-sealed to form seal parts such as the lower seal part 12a, the first side seal part 30, and the second side seal part 35. Further, the films joined together by heat sealing are cut into an appropriate shape to obtain the pouch 10 shown in FIG. 1. Subsequently, the contents are filled into the pouch 10 through the opening in the top 11. Thereafter, the upper portion 11 is heat-sealed along the upper edge 11x to form the upper sealed portion 11a. In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, a sealed pouch 10 containing the contents can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the second inner edge 342 of the inner edge 34 of the intermediate seal portion 33 is at least partially on the first side as it goes from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the upper part 11 of the pouch 10. It extends so as to be displaced toward the portion 13 side. In other words, the second inner edge 342 is inclined so as to be displaced downward toward the first inner edge connecting portion 346 . Therefore, during the process of filling the contents, the contents that have reached the second inner edge 342 of the intermediate seal portion 33 from the opening of the upper portion 11 can be guided downward. This can prevent the contents from remaining on the inner edge 34 of the intermediate seal portion 33.

Method for opening the pouch Next, a method for opening the above-mentioned pouch 10 will be explained. First, the pouch 10 is placed inside a microwave oven with the pouch 10 standing on its own with the lower part 12 facing down. Next, heat the contents using a microwave oven. As a result, the temperature of the contents increases, and the moisture contained in the contents evaporates, increasing the pressure in the storage section 18.

When the pressure in the accommodating part 18 increases, the pouch 10 expands into, for example, a circular shape around the center point C of the accommodating part 18, as shown by the dashed line labeled 18a in FIG. Therefore, a force in a direction from the center point C toward the seal portion is applied to each position of the seal portion. The force applied to each position of the seal portion becomes larger as the distance from the center point C becomes smaller. In this embodiment, the first side seal portion 30 includes an intermediate seal portion 33 located closer to the second side portion 14 than the inner edge 32a of the lower seal portion 32. Therefore, the force F applied to the intermediate seal portion 33 is greater than the force applied to the upper seal portion 31 and the lower seal portion 32. Further, the distance from the center point C to the first inner edge connecting portion 346 is smaller than the distance from the center point C to the other inner edge connecting portions. Therefore, a larger force is applied to the first inner edge connecting portion 346 than to other inner edge connecting portions such as the second inner edge connecting portion 347 .

Note that the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 is defined as the midpoint of a line segment connecting the midpoint Y1 of the inner edge 11c of the upper seal portion 11a and the midpoint Y2 of the inner edge 12c of the lower seal portion 12a in plan view. In FIG. 6, the symbol H3 represents the distance in the vertical direction D2 from the midpoint Y1 of the inner edge 11c of the upper seal portion 11a to the midpoint Y2 of the inner edge 12c of the lower seal portion 12a. Further, the symbol H4 represents the distance in the vertical direction D2 from the center point C of the accommodating portion 18 to the first continuous portion 334 of the intermediate seal portion 33. The distance H4 is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.05×H3 and less than or equal to 0.5×H3. In addition, in the pouch 10 before the upper seal part 11a is formed, the intermediate point Y1 can be specified as the midpoint of the inner edge of the part of the pouch 10 where the upper seal part 11a is to be formed.

When force F is applied to the intermediate seal portion 33, peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 progresses. Peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 first occurs at the inner edge first connecting portion 346. Thereafter, when the peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 progresses and reaches the first connecting portion 436, as shown in FIG. is formed.

When the communication port 44 is formed in the intermediate seal portion 33, the steam in the accommodating portion 18 flows into the first non-sealed portion 40 through the communication port 44, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the symbol T1 represents steam flowing from the center point C of the storage portion 18 toward the intermediate seal portion 33. The steam T1 that has entered the first non-sealed portion 40 is discharged to the outside from the opening edge 41.

By the way, as shown in FIG. It also includes steam T3 flowing in direction D2. After flowing into the first non-sealed portion 40 through the communication port 44, the steam T3 reaches the second edge 432 of the first non-sealed portion 40. In this embodiment, the second edge 432 extends from the first connecting portion 436 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 so as to be at least partially displaced toward the first side portion 13 side. Therefore, as shown by arrow T4 in FIG. 8, steam T4 can be smoothly guided to opening edge 41 along second edge 432. Therefore, it is possible to prevent steam from remaining in the first non-sealed portion 40, and thereby to prevent the opening edge 41 from being blocked.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the virtual straight line M overlaps with the inner edge first connecting portion 346 of the intermediate seal portion 33. The area of the intermediate seal portion 33 that overlaps with the virtual straight line M receives a strong load in the direction toward the first non-seal portion 40 . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the inner edge first connecting portion 346 can receive a strong load in the direction toward the first non-sealing portion 40 . Therefore, peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 easily reaches the first non-seal portion 40 quickly. As a result, before the seal portions other than the intermediate seal portion 33, such as the upper seal portion 31, the lower seal portion 32, and the second side seal portion 35, peel off, the inner edge first connecting portion 346 of the intermediate seal portion 33 can be peeled off, allowing communication between the accommodating portion 18 and the first non-sealed portion 40.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the intersection M3 between the first side edge 13x and the virtual straight line M is located in the first non-sealed portion 40 in plan view. Preferably, the imaginary straight line M that enters the first non-sealed portion 40 from the housing portion 18 extends along the first side edge 13x without touching any sealing portions such as the upper sealing portion 31, the lower sealing portion 32, and the intermediate sealing portion 33. It has reached the opening edge 41. Therefore, the steam flowing into the first non-sealed part 40 from the storage part 18 along the direction in which the virtual straight line M extends smoothly reaches the opening edge 41 of the first side edge 13x and is easily discharged to the outside. Thereby, it is possible to prevent steam from remaining in the first non-sealed portion 40 and blocking the opening edge 41.

Note that various changes can be made to the embodiments described above. Modifications will be described below with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used for corresponding parts in the above-described embodiment are used for parts that can be configured similarly to the above-described embodiment, Omit duplicate explanations. Furthermore, if it is clear that the effects obtained in the above-described embodiment can also be obtained in the modified example, the explanation thereof may be omitted.

First Modified Example In the above-described embodiment, the second edge 432 functioning as a guide edge in the edge 43 of the first non-sealed portion 40 extends from the side of the first non-sealed portion 40 to the accommodating portion 18. An example having a curved shape convex toward the side is shown. However, the shape that is convex from the side of the first non-sealed part 40 toward the side of the accommodating part 18 is not limited to a curved shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the second edge 432 is formed by connecting a plurality of straight line segments so as to be convex from the first non-sealing part 40 side to the accommodating part 18 side. may be configured. The second edge 432 shown in FIG. 9 also allows the steam that has flowed into the first non-sealed portion 40 to be guided to the opening edge 41 along the second edge 432.

In addition, in the second edge 432 shown in FIG. 9, the angle formed by two consecutive line segments is less than 45°. Therefore, the second edge 432 does not include the above-mentioned angle change point.

Second Modified Example In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the width of the intermediate seal portion 33 is substantially the same regardless of the position. In other words, an example has been shown in which the inner edge 34 of the intermediate seal portion 33 and the edge 43 of the first non-seal portion 40 extend substantially parallel to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width of the intermediate seal portion 33 may vary depending on the position. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the width W8 of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 corresponding to the second inner edge 342 increases at least partially from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 side toward the upper portion 11 side. It's okay. Thereby, excessive peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 between the inner edge first connecting portion 346 and the upper seal portion 31 can be suppressed.

Third Modified Example In the embodiment and each modified example described above, the second edge 432 functioning as a guide edge in the edge 43 of the first non-sealed part 40 is separated from the side of the first non-sealed part 40. An example having a curved shape convex toward the housing portion 18 side is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 11, the second edge 432 functioning as a guide edge moves toward the first side portion 13 as it goes from the first connecting portion 436 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10. It may extend in a straight line so as to be displaced to. Even in this case, the second edge 432 can guide the steam that has entered the first non-sealed portion 40 to the opening edge 41 along the second edge 432 . As shown in FIG. 11, the second edge 432 may extend linearly up to the opening edge 41.

Also in this modification, as in the case of the above-mentioned modification shown in FIG. may increase at least partially toward the side of . In the example shown in FIG. 11, the second inner edge 342 extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the upper portion 11 in substantially the vertical direction D2. The angle between the direction in which the second inner edge 342 extends and the direction in which the up-down direction D2 extends is, for example, 5 degrees or less.

Fourth Modified Example In the embodiment described above, the pouch 10 is a gusset type pouch including the front film 15, the back film 16, and the lower film 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pouch 10 may be a so-called flat pouch including a front film 15 and a back film 16, as shown in FIG. In this case, the pouch 10 is heated in the microwave oven while the pouch 10 is maintained in a position such that the intermediate seal portion 33 is located vertically above the center point C of the storage portion 18. For example, if the pouch 10 is sold in a paper box (not shown), the box can be used to maintain the pouch 10 in a predetermined position.

Fifth Modification In the embodiment described above, the first non-sealed portion 40 is formed between the first side edge 13x of the first side portion 13 and the first side sealed portion 30; An example is shown in which no non-sealed portion is formed between the second side edge 14x of the second side portion 14 and the second side seal portion 35. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It's okay. In this case, the second non-sealed portion 45 may widen to reach the second side edge 14x of the second side portion 14 of the pouch 10. In other words, the second non-sealed portion 45 may have an opening edge 46 that overlaps the second side edge 14x and is open to the outside.

The second side seal portion 35 may have an upper seal portion 36 , a lower seal portion 37 and an intermediate seal portion 38 . The upper sealed portion 36 extends along the second side portion 14 from the second unsealed portion 45 toward the upper portion 11 of the pouch 10 . The lower sealed portion 37 extends along the second side 14 from the second unsealed portion 45 toward the lower portion 12 of the pouch 10 . The intermediate seal portion 38 is located between the accommodating portion 18 and the second non-seal portion 45 . The intermediate seal portion 38 includes one end connected to the upper seal portion 36 and the other end connected to the lower seal portion 37.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view showing the intermediate seal portion 38 and the second non-seal portion 45 of the second side seal portion 35 of the pouch 10 of FIG. 13. The edge of the second non-sealed portion 45 includes the above-described opening edge 41 located on the second side edge 14x and an edge on the intermediate seal portion 38 side. The edge of the second non-sealed portion 45 on the intermediate seal portion 38 side includes a first edge 481 , a second edge 482 , and a third edge 483 . The first edge 481 and the third edge 483 extend from the opening edge 46 toward the accommodating portion 18 side. The first edge 481 may extend in the same direction as the first edge 431 of the first non-sealed portion 40 . Further, the third edge 483 may extend in the same direction as the third edge 433 of the first non-sealed portion 40. The second edge 482 includes a lower end connected to the first edge 481 and an upper end connected to the third edge 483, and extends in the up-down direction D2. The second non-sealed portion 45 having such a shape is formed at the same time as the first non-sealed portion 40 by cutting one non-sealed portion, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2016-74457. Ru. For example, when manufacturing a plurality of pouches 10 by cutting the front film 15, back film 16, and lower film 17, which are partially joined to each other and extend along the conveyance direction, along the sealed portion and the non-sealed portion, cutting is performed. One of the non-sealed parts becomes the first non-sealed part 40 and the other becomes the second non-sealed part 45.

In FIG. 14, symbols W11, W12, and W13 represent the width of the upper seal portion 36, the width of the lower seal portion 37, and the width of the intermediate seal portion 38, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 and the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37 are the same. The width W13 of the intermediate seal portion 38 is smaller than the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 and the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the pouch 10 may include a notch 35a formed in the upper seal portion 36 of the second side seal portion 35. The notch can serve as a starting point for opening the pouch 10 by tearing the film constituting the pouch 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a notch 30a is further provided in the upper seal portion 31 of the first side seal portion 30 so as to face the notch 35a of the second side seal portion 35 in the left-right direction D1. Good too.

Sixth Modification In the fifth modification described above, an example was shown in which the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 and the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37 in the second side seal portion 35 are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 15, the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 may be larger than the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37. Thereby, when the user pinches the upper seal portion 36 with his or her fingers after heating the pouch 10, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling excessively hot.

Seventh Modification In the sixth modification described above, the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 of the second side seal portion 35 is larger than the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37, and the second side seal An example is shown in which the second non-sealed portion 45 is formed between the portion 35 and the second side edge 14x. However, the invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 16, the width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 of the second side seal portion 35 is larger than the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37, The second non-sealed portion 45 may not be formed between the sealed portion 35 and the second side edge 14x. In this case, the intermediate seal portion 38 of the second side seal portion 35 is connected to the intermediate seal portion 33 of the first side seal portion 30 across the housing portion 18 in the left-right direction D1. Defined as opposing parts. The width W13 of the intermediate seal portion 38 may be greater than the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37. The width W11 of the upper seal portion 36 and the width W13 of the intermediate seal portion 38 may be the same or different.

Eighth Modification Example Similar to the case of the upper seal portion 36 and lower seal portion 37 of the second side seal portion 35 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the width of the upper seal portion 31 of the first side seal portion 30 is W1 may be larger than the width W2 of the lower seal portion 32. Thereby, when the user pinches the upper seal portion 31 with his fingers after heating the pouch 10, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling excessive heat. FIG. 17 is a front view showing a case where the upper seal portion 31 having a width W1 larger than the width W2 of the lower seal portion 32 is applied to the first side seal portion 30 of the above-described present embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. It is a diagram. Although not shown, the upper seal portion 31 having a width W1 larger than the width W2 of the lower seal portion 32 may be applied to the other modifications described above.

Ninth Modified Example In the third modified example described above, the second edge 432 functioning as a guide edge extends linearly from the first connecting portion 436 to the opening edge 41, and the intermediate seal An example is shown in which there are two linearly extending inner edges (a second inner edge 342 and a third inner edge 343) of the intermediate seal portion 33 between the first connecting portion 346 of the inner edge of the portion 33 and the upper seal portion 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if there is only one inner edge of the intermediate seal portion 33 extending linearly between the first connecting portion 346 and the upper seal portion 31, the inner edge of the intermediate seal portion 33 may be good. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 23, the second edge 432 of the first non-sealed portion 40 extends linearly from the first connecting portion 436 to the opening edge 41, and extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 to the opening edge 41. A second inner edge 342 of the intermediate seal portion 33 extending toward the upper seal portion 31 may extend linearly until connected to the upper seal portion 31 .

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the second inner edge 342 of the intermediate seal portion 33 and the second edge 432 of the first non-seal portion 40 may extend substantially parallel toward the upper seal portion 31. In this case, the width W8 of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 located between the second inner edge 342 and the second edge 432 is substantially the same regardless of the position. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 22, and 23, the width W8 of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 located between the second inner edge 342 and the second edge 432 It may increase at least partially from the side of the portion 346 toward the side of the upper portion 11. Thereby, excessive peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 between the inner edge first connecting portion 346 and the upper seal portion 31 can be suppressed.

Next, the first inner edge 341 of the intermediate seal portion 33 in the examples shown in FIGS. 18 to 23 will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 23 , the first inner edge 341 extending from the first inner edge connecting portion 346 toward the first side portion 13 extends linearly until it is connected to the lower seal portion 32 . In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the first inner edge 341 extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the first side portion 13 so as to be at least partially displaced toward the upper portion 11 side. In the example shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the first inner edge 341 extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the first side portion 13 so as to be at least partially displaced toward the lower portion 12 side. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the first inner edge 341 extends from the inner edge first connecting portion 346 toward the first side portion 13 side in substantially the left-right direction D1.

Next, the first edge 431 of the first non-sealed portion 40 in the examples shown in FIGS. 18 to 23 will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 23, the first edge 431 extends linearly from the first connecting portion 436 to the opening edge 41. In the example shown in FIGS. In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the first edge 431 extends so as to be at least partially displaced toward the upper portion 11 as it goes from the first connecting portion 436 toward the opening edge 41. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the first edge 431 extends so as to be at least partially displaced toward the lower portion 12 as it goes from the first connecting portion 436 toward the opening edge 41 side. In the example shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the first edge 431 extends from the first connecting portion 436 toward the opening edge 41 in substantially the left-right direction D1.

As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, 21, and 23, the first inner edge 341 of the intermediate seal portion 33 and the first edge 431 of the first non-seal portion 40 are substantially parallel toward the lower seal portion 32. It may extend to In this case, the width W7 of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 located between the first inner edge 341 and the first edge 431 is substantially the same regardless of the position. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, the width W7 of the portion of the intermediate seal portion 33 located between the first inner edge 341 and the first edge 431 is the same as the width W7 of the portion located between the first inner edge 341 and the first edge 431. It may increase at least partially toward one side 13. Thereby, excessive peeling of the intermediate seal portion 33 between the inner edge first connecting portion 346 and the lower seal portion 32 can be suppressed.

Although several modifications to the embodiment described above have been described, it is of course possible to apply a plurality of modifications in combination as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the pouch 10 includes a first side seal portion 30 including an upper seal portion 31 having a width W1 larger than a width W2 of the lower seal portion 32, as shown in FIG. and a second side seal portion 35 including an upper seal portion 36 having a width W11 larger than the width W12 of the lower seal portion 37, as shown, and an upper side of the second side seal portion 35. The seal portion 36 may be provided with a notch 35a, and the upper seal portion 31 of the first side seal portion 30 may be provided with a notch 30a. Furthermore, in the ninth modification shown in FIGS. 18 to 23, the width W1 of the upper seal portion 31 of the first side seal portion 30 and the width W2 of the lower seal portion 32 may be the same.

10 Pouch 11 Upper part 11a Upper seal part 12 Lower part 12a Lower seal part 13 First side part 13x First side edge 14 Second side part 14x Second side edge 15 Front film 16 Back film 17 Lower film 18 Storage part 30 First side Upper seal portion 31 Upper seal portion 32 Lower seal portion 33 Intermediate seal portion 34 Inner edge 341 First inner edge 342 Second inner edge 343 Third inner edge 346 Inner edge first connection portion 347 Inner edge second connection portion 35 Second side seal portion 40 First non-sealed portion 41 Opening edge 43 Sealed portion side edge 431 First edge 432 Second edge 433 Third edge 436 First connecting portion 437 Second connecting portion 50 Laminated body 50x Inner surface 50y Outer surface 51 Base Material layer 52 Sealant layer 53 Adhesive layer

Claims (1)

A pouch in which a storage part for accommodating contents is defined between a front film and a back film,
a first side seal portion located on a first side of the pouch and joining an inner surface of the front film and an inner surface of the back film;
a second side seal part located on a second side opposite to the first side part of the pouch and defining the accommodation part between the second side seal part and the first side seal part;
a lower seal part connected to the first side seal part and the second side seal part;
a first non-sealed portion located near the top of the pouch and separated from the accommodating portion by the first side seal portion, the first non-sealed portion expanding to reach a first side edge of the first side of the pouch; a first non-sealed portion;
The first side seal portion includes an upper seal portion extending along the first side portion from the first non-seal portion toward the top of the pouch, and an upper seal portion extending from the first non-seal portion toward the bottom of the pouch. a lower seal portion extending along the first side portion; one end connected to the upper seal portion and the other end connected to the lower seal portion; the housing portion and the first non-seal portion; an intermediate seal portion located between the
The inner edge of the intermediate seal portion includes a first inner edge, a second inner edge, and an inner edge first connecting portion located closer to the lower seal portion and connecting the first inner edge and the second inner edge. ,
The first inner edge extends from the inner edge first connecting portion toward the lower seal portion,
The second inner edge extends from the inner edge first connecting portion toward the upper side of the pouch,
The edge of the first non-sealed part includes a first connecting part located opposite to the inner edge first connecting part, and a first connecting part located on the upper side of the pouch than the first connecting part, and an edge of the first non-sealing part. a guide edge extending and curving so as to be displaced toward the first side as the guide edge moves toward the first side;
The guide edge extends to the first side edge of the first side part,
The guide edge portion at least partially includes a shape that is convex from the first non-sealing portion side toward the accommodating portion side ,
The edge of the first non-sealed portion includes a first edge and a second edge connected by the first connecting portion,
The first edge extends from the first connecting portion toward the first side edge,
The second edge extends from the first connecting portion toward the top of the pouch so as to be at least partially displaced toward the first side, and functions as the guide edge;
An angle between an imaginary straight line extending from the center point of the accommodating part to the first non-sealed part in the shortest distance and a direction in which the first edge extends is an angle between the imaginary straight line and the direction in which the second edge extends. A pouch that is smaller than the angle formed by the direction .