JP2012025394A - Method of manufacturing self-supporting container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a flexible packaging self-supporting container which stably obtains and maintains a self-supporting function with no need of a complicated device or process, in manufacturing the self-supporting bag having a supporting structure for holding self-supporting of the flexible packaging bag container.SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing the self-supporting container includes: a process of, before the stage of filling the container with contents, making a blow opening by sending an air into the container, simultaneously, sealing the periphery of a gap part and forming the gap part; and a process of filling the container with the contents through the opening and sealing the opening.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible packaging bag container for storing and packaging liquids, solids, powders, granules and the like, and by providing the bag container with a specific function, the self-supporting property that improves impact resistance and various usability, etc. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container.

  Conventionally, various types of liquids, powders, solid and liquid mixtures, granular materials, etc. using soft packaging bags such as three-side seals, four-side seals, pillows, gusset pillows, tending pouches, and pouches with plugs A flexible packaging bag container is used. These soft packaging bag containers are excellent in compressibility and flexibility, but have poor shape retention as containers when the filled contents are reduced, and thus have various harmful effects. .

On the other hand, in recent years, standing pouches, etc. have been adopted in a wide range of fields as containers for flexible packaging bags and the like that are self-supporting when they are filled with contents and displayed at stores, etc. It is used for various purposes up to those with sealing properties.
However, when these standing pouches are displayed over a long period of time or when the content filled with the contents is reduced, the bag itself will not be able to maintain its independence due to crunchiness, and it will be held with both hands when the contents are opened. There is a problem that needs to be done.

  In order to solve these problems, a structure called an air bag part is provided in the bonding part (seal part), and gas is sealed in this gap part to maintain its self-sustainability by its internal pressure. Self-supporting bags have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 1, as a solving means, by changing the seal shape of the outer peripheral edge portion of the bag container into various shapes, a gap portion called a gate and an airbag portion is formed in the bonded portion (seal portion). A self-supporting bag having a provided structure has been proposed. That is, in a packaging bag container using a soft packaging material such as a standing pouch and a plugged pouch, a gap is formed in a part of a bonding portion (seal part) constituting the outer peripheral edge of the bag container, This is a self-supporting bag having an airbag structure that maintains the self-supporting property of the bag container by enclosing gas in the gap.

  In manufacturing a self-supporting bag, before filling the contents, first, air at atmospheric pressure or higher is fed into the gap, and the gap is inflated to form the airbag. Next, when the air bag portion is sufficiently inflated, the air filling port portion is sealed using means such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing to block the air passage. Thus, each airbag portion forms a completely independent air column and becomes a support structure that maintains the self-supporting property of the flexible packaging bag container.

However, since the inside of the air gap must be sealed with a positive pressure, there is no sufficient pressure due to air leakage at the time of sealing. Inconveniences such as pressure drop occurred.
In addition, when stored for a long period of time, the internal gas permeates through the film, which is a constituent material, so that the internal gas gradually escapes, the internal pressure decreases, and the ability as a support structure decreases.

As a flexible packaging bag container that can solve the problem of functional degradation due to gas leakage and can stably obtain and maintain a self-supporting function, Patent Document 2 discloses a packaging body made of a plastic film or a plastic film laminate. In a container in which a void portion is formed in a part of a bonding portion constituting the container and gas is sealed in the void portion to provide self-supporting property, the volume ratio is 78.
A free-standing bag has been proposed in which a gas composed of more than 084% nitrogen and less than 20.946% oxygen is enclosed. The difference in partial pressure generated between the inside and the outside of the airbag is utilized by enclosing a mixed gas having a volume ratio that is higher than the atmosphere (air) and having a nitrogen ratio and a smaller oxygen ratio.

  Moreover, in patent document 3, based on a similar principle, a void part is formed in a part of the bonding part of a container, water is enclosed in a part having a capacity of 10% or more and 90% or less of the void part, and the rest A self-supporting container having a columnar structure in which one of air, oxygen, nitrogen, or a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrogen is enclosed in a portion has been proposed.

  According to the self-supporting containers proposed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the problem of functional deterioration due to gas leakage can be solved and the self-supporting function can be stably obtained. It is inevitable that the process becomes a complicated process or apparatus as compared with the case where only air is sealed.

JP 2005-343492 A JP 2009-184690 A JP 2009-227326 A

In the production of a conventional self-supporting container, the step of filling and sealing the air in the gap, the step of blowing air into the container and opening the opening as the previous stage of filling the contents and filling the contents, The sealing process was essential.
However, since the inside of the air gap must be sealed with a positive pressure, inconveniences such as a decrease in internal pressure due to air leakage during sealing have occurred.
In addition, when the temperature is lowered or the container is used for a low-temperature storage container such as a refrigerated product, there are inconveniences such as a decrease in internal pressure and a loss of independence.

In addition, the number of manufacturing processes is large, and there is a limit to increasing production efficiency.
That is, in the conventional manufacturing method, in the case of a container in which air is blown into the void portion and the shape retaining force of the void portion due to the internal pressure of the air realizes self-sustainability and ease of handling, the void portion is formed by filling the contents. It was necessary to do this later or before feeding the empty container to the filling machine.

  In the former case, it is necessary to use a filling and packaging machine equipped with a process for blowing air. However, since ordinary filling and packaging machines do not have this process, it is not necessary to make a simple modification and the entire machine can be updated. There were many cases that could only be handled.

  In the latter case, it is necessary to supply a sealed bag by blowing air into the gap as an empty container, and not only an additional gap forming step must be added in the previous stage of the filling and packaging machine, but also the volume increases. It is also inefficient to move and supply bags with complicated shapes to the filling and packaging machine.

  The objective of this invention is providing the manufacturing method of the flexible packaging self-supporting container which can acquire and maintain a self-supporting function stably, without requiring a complicated apparatus and process.

In the self-supporting container according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, as a step before filling the contents into the container, air is blown into the container to open the opening and at the same time seal the gap (completion of the gap) and the contents The self-supporting container filled with the contents is completed only by filling the opening and sealing the opening.

  Furthermore, by sealing and crushing a part of the gap, the volume in the gap is reduced and the internal pressure is increased. Thereby, a space | gap part becomes difficult to be crushed and it is easy to hold and self-supporting property improves. This sealing can be performed without increasing the sealing step by simultaneously performing the sealing of the opening after filling the contents.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is such that a gap is formed in a part of a bonding portion constituting a packaging container made of a plastic film or a plastic film laminate, gas is sealed in the gap, and self-supporting property is achieved. In the production of containers with
As a pre-stage of filling the contents into the container, air is blown into the container to open the opening, and at the same time, the periphery of the gap is sealed to form the gap, and the opening is filled with the contents. And a step of sealing the part. A method for manufacturing a self-supporting container.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the method for manufacturing a self-supporting container according to claim 1, further comprising a step of sealing and crushing a part of the formed gap.

According to the invention of claim 1 of the present invention,
The conventional manufacturing method, that is, the step of filling and sealing the air in the gap, the step of blowing air into the container and opening the opening and the step of filling and sealing the content as a pre-stage of filling the content into the container For the method that was essential,
Air is blown into the container from the entire opening including the opening of the part forming the gap and the opening for filling the contents, and both the contents filling planned space and the gap forming planned space in the container are expanded. By sealing only the periphery of the gap in the state of being made to form, the gap is expanded by the internal pressure, and at the same time, an expanded state and an open state of the container for filling the contents can be formed to prepare for filling.
As a result, the step of forming the gap and the step of opening the opening, which were separated in the conventional manufacturing method, can be made into one step, and it has become possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps and contribute to the increase in production efficiency. .

  According to the invention according to claim 2 of the present invention, the internal pressure of the gas inside the gap is insufficient due to air leakage or the like when forming the gap by sealing and crushing a part of the formed gap. In this case, the internal pressure can be increased by reducing the volume inside the gap. As a result, self-supporting deterioration such as crushed waist is prevented, and the ease of handling is improved by maintaining the hardness of the gap.

Explanatory drawing for demonstrating embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the empty pouch of the unfilled state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the state which formed the airbag part in the container. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating embodiment of this invention. Schematic diagram showing a state in which the contents are stored from the opening and a top seal is formed. Explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of the package by this invention.

A method for producing a self-supporting container according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment of a self-supporting container according to the present invention, and an empty pouch in a state before filling contents. It is the shown schematic diagram.
This self-supporting container is a container of a form generally called a standing pouch, and heat-presses two films (main film (1)) constituting the main body and a bottom tape (2) constituting the bottom surface with a seal portion. Form by bonding. The seal portion includes a side seal that is a seal on the left and right side surfaces and a bottom seal (6) that is a seal on the bottom surface.
At this stage, the side seal on one side consists of the outer side seal (4), and the inner side seal (3) for forming the gap has not yet been formed. Next, FIG. 2 shows a state in which a gap (5) sealed by the top seal is formed between the two side seals.

In FIG. 2, one gap portion (5) is formed on one side of the bag, but the number of gap portions is arbitrary depending on the application and design.
In the following description, the standing pouch shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described. However, the method for manufacturing a self-supporting container according to the present invention is not limited to the standing pouch.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state where an airbag portion is formed in the container of FIG.
In FIG. 2, the opening (7) of the self-supporting container shown in FIG. 1 is opened, and at the same time, air is blown from the opening to widen the folded portion of the bottom tape (2) to form a content storage space. In addition, using a seal bar, the upper part (8) and the inner side seal part (3) of the gap part (5) which is positive pressure are sealed, and the air is sealed in the gap part (5). The state which formed the bag part (10) is shown.

  In the conventional method, the air bag part (10) needs to be formed in advance in a separate process before being put on the filling and packaging machine, or formed in the filling and packaging machine by adding one step to the filling and packaging machine. However, according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, the space for storing contents and the formation of the airbag portion can be performed in the same process step, so that a normal type packaging bag is filled and packaged. The machine can be used with almost no change. As a result, production can be performed while avoiding disadvantageous costs without reducing production efficiency.

  At this time, the gas (9) to be enclosed is not particularly limited, but considering safety, availability, etc., any gas of air, oxygen, nitrogen, or a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrogen is desirable, Usually, air is sufficient, but it is desirable to make it aseptic.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the contents (not shown) are accommodated from the opening (7) in the container in which the airbag portion of FIG. 2 is formed, and the opening (7) is sealed to form the top seal (13). It is a schematic diagram which shows.
If necessary, an additional upper gap seal (11) is provided at the lower part of the air bag part of the upper part of the gap (8) at the same time as the top seal (13) of the upper part of the content storage space. Can be done. This additional seal can reduce the volume of the airbag portion without increasing the number of steps, increase the internal pressure of the internal gas, increase the strength of the airbag portion, and increase the self-supporting property and ease of handling of the container.

The main body film (1) used for the self-supporting container according to the present invention has a base material layer in which an inorganic compound such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide is deposited on polyester, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate or a laminate of these, A heat-fusible layer (sealant layer) made of PP) or the like is laminated.
As a method for laminating them, known techniques such as a dry laminating method and a melt extrusion laminating method can be used.

The main body film forming the self-supporting container according to the present invention is obtained by laminating at least the outermost base material layer and the innermost sealant layer.
If necessary, an intermediate layer may be provided between the outermost base material layer and the innermost sealant layer. Note that the print layer and the adhesive layer are not essential layers but are provided as necessary.

The material of the outermost base material layer is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance and is generally used as a food packaging material. For example, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyamides such as nylon-6 and nylon-66 Stretched or unstretched films such as (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) , Nylon-6 / metaxylylenediamine nylon 6 coextruded film, polypropylene / ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer coextruded film, or a laminate of two or more of these films laminated. A film may be.
Further, the thickness of the base material layer is preferably in the range of 10 to 50 μm, more preferably in the range of 10 to 30 μm, in consideration of workability.

Next, the innermost sealant layer includes, for example, a low density polyethylene resin (LDPE), a medium density polyethylene resin (MDPE), a high density polyethylene resin (HDPE), a linear low density polyethylene resin (L-LDPE), Polypropylene resin (PP), ethylene-propylene copolymer (EP), ethylene-α olefin copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), ethylene-acrylic acid A resin such as methyl copolymer (EMA), ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMMA), ionomer resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or A film obtained by forming these resins into a film can be used.
The thickness of the sealant layer is preferably in the range of 20 to 100 μm, more preferably in the range of 30 to 70 μm, considering the sealing strength, physical properties, and workability.

Next, as a method of laminating the base material layer of the outermost layer and the sealant layer of the innermost layer through an adhesive layer, for example, a dry lamination method, an extrusion lamination method, and a sandwich using the extrusion lamination method A known method such as a lamination method can be used.
As the adhesive used in the dry lamination method, generally, an adhesive for laminating such as polyurethane, polyacrylic, polyester, epoxy, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose, or the like can be used.

  Next, the printed layer can be printed on either the front or back side of the base material layer, but in the same way as when printing on a general plastic film bag, considering the ink friction resistance, weather resistance, etc. It is preferable to provide a printing layer with a beautiful pattern on the inner surface of the base material layer by a gravure printing method or the like for the purpose of improving the sales promotion effect of the product.

Next, in the present invention, an intermediate layer may be provided between the base material layer and the sealant layer, and the intermediate layer usually has a sufficient function as a self-supporting packaging container only by the base material layer and the sealant layer. It is provided when it cannot be fulfilled.
The above functions include gas barrier properties, mechanical toughness, flex resistance, puncture resistance, impact resistance, wear resistance, cold resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc., which are required as packaging containers. This function is achieved by providing an intermediate layer.

When the contents stored in the self-supporting container according to the present invention require resistance to oxygen gas, water vapor, light, etc. or long-term normal temperature circulation, a gas barrier layer (not shown) is provided on the intermediate layer. It is necessary to provide it.
For the gas barrier layer, a gas barrier film in which a gas barrier layer is provided on a gas barrier resin film or a base film, or a metal foil such as an aluminum foil is used. For example, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol film (PVA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) saponified film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) film coated with polyvinylidene chloride, inorganic oxide (silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, etc.) deposited thin film layer, or laminated film combining one or more of these films Among these, a gas barrier film provided with a deposited thin film layer of an inorganic oxide (such as silicon oxide or aluminum oxide) that can be heated in a microwave oven and can be easily disposed of is preferable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Example 1>
Use a laminate of a stretched polypropylene film (OPP, 20 μm) and a linear low-density polyethylene film (LLDPE, 50 μm) laminated by dry lamination as the main body film. The same main body film folded between the films was sandwiched between the side seal and the bottom seal by a heat sealing method, and an empty pouch with an opening not sealed as shown in FIG. 1 was produced.

Using a filling and packaging machine provided with process steps having the following functions, the empty pouch was filled with water as the contents to prepare a package using a self-supporting container.
(1) Empty pouch supply unit: Takes out the stacked empty pouches one by one and temporarily fixes them to the transport unit.
(2) Stamp printing part: Stamps information such as date on the surface of a temporarily fixed empty pouch.
(3) Pouch opening: The empty pouch is separated by suction and the bottom tape and opening are opened to prepare for filling.
At the same time, air is blown to widen the contents storage space, and the inner side seal (3) and the upper gap portion seal (8) are performed to form the airbag portion (10) (FIG. 2).
(4) Solid filling part: A solid substance is injected from an open opening.
(5) Liquid filling part: Liquid, for example, 150 ml of water is injected from the opened opening.
(6) Filling port opening / closing part: Closes the opening (7) (filling port) of the pouch that has been filled.
(7) Filling port first seal part: The filling port (7) is heat-sealed and sealed.
At the same time, the area below the upper part of the airbag part is heat-sealed to reduce the volume without changing the amount of air inside the gap part, thereby increasing the internal pressure and making it easier to hold.
(8) Filling port second sealing part: The filling port is heat-sealed and sealed.
At the same time, the area under the upper part of the airbag part is heat sealed to reduce the volume without changing the amount of air inside the gap part, thereby further increasing the internal pressure and making it easier to hold (FIG. 3).
(9) Cooling and discharging part: The sealing part is cooled by a cooling seal bar and discharged after being stabilized. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the appearance.

<Example 2>
The package shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the stretched polypropylene film (OPP, 20 μm) of Example 1 was replaced with the stretched polyamide film (ONy, 15 μm).

<Example 3>
The package shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the eighth step (filling port second seal part) in Example 1 was omitted.

<Comparative Example 1>
The air bag portion was not formed without performing the inner side seal (3) and the gap upper portion seal (8) in Step 3 of Example 1, and the upper portion of the air bag portion in Step 7 and Step 8. A package was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the lower region was not heat-sealed.

As a result of the above observation of the package, the packages of Examples 1 and 2 had sufficient degree of expansion of the airbag portion, and were easy to hold by hand and maintained independence. In the package of Example 3, the feeling of the airbag portion was slightly soft, but the self-supporting property was maintained.
On the other hand, the package of Comparative Example 1 was not self-supporting due to the absence of an airbag portion, and was in a state of being crushed and difficult to handle.
The package manufactured by the method for manufacturing a self-supporting container according to the present invention can be easily handled and maintain its independence by a minor change such as a change in the setting of a conventional device without major changes such as renewal of the filling device. It was shown that

  It can be used for pouches that contain solids such as foods, powders, granules, and liquid products.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body film 2 ... Bottom tape 3 ... Inner side seal 4 ... Outer side seal 5 ... Gap part 6 ... Bottom seal 7 ... Opening part 8 ... Gap part upper part 9 ... Gas 10 ... Air bag 11 ... Gap part upper part seal 12 ... Air gap upper seal 13 ... Top seal

Claims (2)

In the production of a container having a self-supporting property, forming a void portion in a part of a bonding portion constituting a packaging container made of a plastic film or a plastic film laminate, performing gas sealing in the void portion,
As a pre-stage of filling the contents into the container, air is blown into the container to open the opening, and at the same time, the periphery of the gap is sealed to form the gap, and the opening is filled with the contents. And a step of sealing the part. A method for producing a self-supporting container.   The method for producing a self-supporting container according to claim 1, further comprising a step of sealing and crushing a part of the formed gap.

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