JP2020158164A - Distribution device and distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a distribution device and a distribution method which can suppress air bubbles from generating into a soft packaging container, in which a liquid composition is stored, and getting mixed with the liquid composition when the liquid composition is distributed from the soft packaging container and obtain distribution accuracy.SOLUTION: A distribution device which distributes a liquid composition to another container from a soft packaging container which includes a container body to store the liquid composition and a discharge part provided on one side of the container body includes a support stand, lifting means for lifting a part of the container body from the support stand, moving means for moving the lifting means, and fixing means for fixing the other side of the container body. The lifting means is set such that the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition is higher than the height of the discharge part, and the lifting means is moved toward the discharge part of the soft packaging container by the moving means, therefore the liquid composition in the soft packaging container is distributed to another container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing device and a dispensing method for distributing a liquid composition from a flexible packaging container containing the liquid composition.

Conventionally, it has been practiced in various fields to subdivide a pre-produced liquid composition into a predetermined amount (hereinafter, referred to as distribution). For example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the liquid composition contained in one original container is distributed to a container for subdivision (hereinafter, referred to as a distribution container). As the original container, a flexible packaging container made of a plastic film or the like may be used. Compared to glass containers, flexible packaging containers have the advantages of being less likely to be damaged, being lighter, being able to reduce volume after use, and being easier to handle.

However, on the other hand, when the liquid composition is distributed from the flexible packaging container, when the remaining amount of the liquid composition in the flexible packaging container becomes low, the liquid composition is contained in the flexible packaging container due to surface tension or the like. Spreads thinly. For this reason, it becomes difficult to collect the liquid composition in the discharge part of the flexible packaging container, and when the liquid composition thinly spread in the flexible packaging container is to be collected in the discharge part, bubbles are generated in the flexible packaging container and the liquid Bubbles may be mixed in the composition.

If air bubbles are mixed in the liquid composition in the flexible packaging container, it becomes difficult to distribute a predetermined amount of the liquid composition to the distribution container, the accuracy of distribution cannot be obtained, and the liquid composition is distributed to the distribution container. There is a problem that the yield of the finished product is also reduced.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-238890 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-139625

In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the liquid composition is distributed from the original flexible packaging container to the distribution container in a state where the original flexible packaging container is turned upside down with the discharge portion of the original flexible packaging container up or down. Will be done. In addition to the above problems, in the case of dispensing in an inverted state in this way, for example, in the case of a liquid composition containing solids such as particles, the solids such as particles settle when the flexible packaging container is inverted. Therefore, the accuracy of distribution cannot be obtained, and it becomes more serious.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is that when the liquid composition is distributed from the flexible packaging container containing the liquid composition, air bubbles into the flexible packaging container are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution device and a distribution method capable of suppressing the generation of air bubbles and mixing of air bubbles into the liquid composition and obtaining the accuracy of distribution.

The present invention achieves the above problems by the following aspects. In the first aspect of the present invention, a container body for accommodating the liquid composition and a discharge portion provided on one side of the container body for discharging the liquid composition to the outside of the container body are provided. A distribution device for distributing the liquid composition from a provided flexible packaging container to another container, wherein the distribution device is provided on a support base and the support base, and is one of the surface of the container body. Contact between the lifting means and the lifting means for lifting a part of the container body from the support so that the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition is higher than the height of the discharging portion in the state of being in contact with the portion. The liquid composition is provided by providing a moving means for moving the contact portion in a predetermined direction, and moving the contact portion of the lifting means toward the discharging portion of the flexible packaging container by the moving means. It is a dispensing device characterized in that articles are collected in the direction of the discharging section and the liquid composition in the flexible packaging container is distributed from the discharging section to another container.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, in the distribution device of the first aspect, the lifting means has a raised structure in which the contact portion that comes into contact with the flexible packaging container is raised upward. The raised structure is characterized in that it is movable in the vertical direction.

A third aspect of the present invention is the dispensing device of the second aspect, wherein the contact portion has a roller structure.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the dispensing device of the second aspect, wherein the contact portion has a clamp structure for sandwiching the flexible packaging container.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the dispensing device of the second or third aspect, a plate-shaped member is provided above the contact portion of the lift means.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is that the dispensing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects includes a fixing means for fixing the position of the flexible packaging container on the side where the discharge portion is not provided. It is a feature.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the dispensing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the discharge portion of the flexible packaging container includes a plurality of discharge ports. ..

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, a container body for accommodating the liquid composition and a discharge portion provided on one side of the container body for discharging the liquid composition to the outside of the container body are provided. This is a method of distributing the liquid composition from the provided flexible packaging container to another container, in which the support base and the support base are provided on the support base and are in contact with a part of the surface of the container body. The step of lifting the flexible packaging container by a lifting means for lifting a part of the container body from the support base so that the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition is higher than the height of the discharging portion, and the step of lifting the container. A step of moving the abutted contact portion by a moving means for moving the contacted portion in a predetermined direction is provided, and the abutting portion of the lifting means is moved toward the discharging portion of the flexible packaging container by the moving means. Thereby, the liquid composition is collected in the direction of the discharge part, and the liquid composition in the flexible packaging container is distributed from the discharge part to another container.

The present invention suppresses the generation of air bubbles in the flexible packaging container and the mixing of air bubbles in the liquid composition when the liquid composition is distributed from the flexible packaging container containing the liquid composition to another container. It is possible to obtain the accuracy of distribution.

It is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the top view which shows the flexible packaging container. It is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view which shows the flexible packaging container. It is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, is the side view corresponding to FIG. 2, and is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state which the liquid composition in a flexible packaging container has reduced weight. It is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the top view which shows the distribution container. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and distribution method. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the top view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and distribution method. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method. It is a figure for demonstrating the 4th specific example of this embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method.

The above invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings and the like.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment according to the present invention, which is a plan view showing a flexible packaging container, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention, which is a flexible packaging. A side view showing the container, FIG. 3 is a view for explaining one embodiment according to the present invention, and is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 to explain a state in which the amount of the liquid composition in the flexible packaging container is reduced. 4 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a distribution container, and FIG. 5 is a first specific example of the present embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view for explaining a distribution device and a distribution method, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a first specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention for distribution. A plan view for explaining the device and the distribution method, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the first specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention, and is for explaining the distribution device and the distribution method. A side view and FIG. 8 are views for explaining a second specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining a distribution device and a distribution method, and FIG. 9 is a view according to the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd specific example of this Embodiment, the side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method, FIG. 10 explains the 4th specific example of this Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating the distribution apparatus and the distribution method, in which 10 is a flexible packaging container, 10a and 20a are one end, and 10b and 20b are the other end. Parts 11, 21 are container bodies, 12 and 22 are film base materials, 13 is a discharge part, 14 is a discharge port, 15 and 25 are seal parts, 20 is a distribution container, and 20'is filled with a liquid composition. Dispensing container, 23 is the pouring inlet, 24a is the first pouring port, 24b is the second pouring port, 24c is the third pouring port, 30 is the liquid composition, 31 is the gas, 40 is the dispensing device, 41 is the support. Means, 41a is a support, 42 is a lifting means, 42a is a lifting member, 42b is a contact portion, 42c is a roller structure, 42d is a clamp structure, 43 is a fixing means, 43a is a fixture, 44 is a moving means, 45 is. Liquid composition transfer means, 45a is a pumping device, 46 is a plate-shaped member, L1 is the first line, L2 is the second line, h1 is the height from the horizontal plane of the support base to the contact portion of the lifting member, and h2 is the support. The height from the horizontal plane of the table to the liquid surface of the liquid composition, and h3 indicates the height from the horizontal surface of the support base to the upper surface of the discharge port. For convenience, the drawings attached to the present specification may be appropriately scaled, and the dimensions and shapes of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis in the three-dimensional direction may be changed to the actual scales, dimensions and shapes. It is not limited to these. Further, the X-axis may be referred to as a left-right direction, the Y-axis may be referred to as a front-back direction, and the Z-axis may be referred to as a up-down direction.

In the distribution device 40 and the distribution method of one embodiment according to the present invention, a predetermined amount of the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10 is distributed, and the liquid composition 30 is distributed to, for example, the distribution container 20 or the like. Equipment and method. In the distribution device 40 and the distribution method, the liquid composition 30 prepared in advance is stored in the flexible packaging container 10. After that, when the volume to be distributed is determined, the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10 is distributed to the distribution container 20 in the determined amounts. The liquid composition 30 may contain a solid substance.

The flexible packaging container 10 is a container made of the film base material 12. The film base material 12 is a resin film having a resin layer capable of heat-sealing at least on the inner surface, and has flexibility. Such a film base material 12 can be easily deformed according to the amount of the liquid composition 30 contained therein. A container having such flexibility and deformability is referred to as a flexible packaging container in the present invention. Therefore, in the flexible packaging container 10 containing the liquid composition 30, the film base material 12 of the flexible packaging container 10 is deformed when the liquid composition 30 is discharged from the flexible packaging container 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the soft packaging container 10 is brought into contact with a part of the surface of the main body of the flexible packaging container 10 so as to be linearly bent (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a sideways state) on the support base 41a. When the packaging container 10 is lifted across or across the flexible packaging container 10 across the opposing ends of the flexible packaging container 10, it bends at a portion that comes into contact with the flexible packaging container 10 and is deformed into a U shape. Alternatively, when the flexible packaging container 10 is placed on the pedestal of the ridges in a sideways state, the flexible packaging container 10 is deformed into a U-shape with a portion that abuts on the ridges in a vertical section or a crossing portion as a bent portion. Therefore, even if the flexible packaging container 10 is in a sideways state, the lift means 42 makes it possible to make the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 of the flexible packaging container 10 higher than the height of the discharge portion 13. Such a flexible packaging container 10 has an effect of being excellent in disposability because it can be folded after use and the volume can be reduced without being bulky. Further, depending on the layer contained in the film base material 12, various properties such as light-shielding property, weather resistance, and barrier property can be imparted to the flexible packaging container 10.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining one embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a flexible packaging container 10, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a flexible packaging container 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible packaging container 10 has a container body 11 and a discharge unit 13 that communicates the inside and the outside of the container body 11. The flexible packaging container 10 has a substantially rectangular shape, and has a discharge portion 13 at one end portion 10a. The discharge unit 13 has a discharge port 14 that serves as a flow path for discharging the liquid composition 30, and the discharge port 14 is, for example, a tubular member made of a plastic molded product that closes the inside and the outside of the container body 11. It is preferable to communicate as much as possible. By doing so, the flexible packaging container 10 can hold the liquid composition 30 in the container body 11. In addition, the flexible packaging container 10 can discharge the liquid composition 30 held through the discharge unit 13. FIG. 1 shows an example in which one discharge port 14 is formed as the discharge unit 13, but it is preferable that the discharge port 14 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports depending on the application.

Specifically, the flexible packaging container 10 overlaps the sealable surfaces of the two film base materials 12 with each other, and discharges the tubular member between the two film base materials 12 at the position where the discharge portion 13 is planned to be formed. A seal portion 15 is formed by joining the discharge port 14 and the film base material 12 and joining the peripheral edges of the two laminated film base materials 12 with the outlet 14 sandwiched between them. As a joining method, the sealing portion 15 can be provided by a heat sealing method, an impulse sealing method, a high frequency heating sealing method, an ultrasonic sealing method, or the like for heat welding. The discharge port 14 extends across the seal portion 15, and the region surrounded by the seal portion 15 is defined as the inside in which the liquid composition 30 is housed, and communicates with the inside and the outside. By doing so, the liquid composition becomes a flow path that can be discharged and received.
The shape of the flexible packaging container 10 is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and is provided on one side of the container body for accommodating the liquid composition and the container body, and discharges the liquid composition to the outside of the container body. Any form provided with a discharge unit can be appropriately changed.

A heat-sealable resin can be used as the film base material 12, for example, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, linear (linear) low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, ethylene. From one or more resins such as -propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer resin, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, etc. Can be made of resin. It can also be a laminated body, and these resins can be used as a heat seal layer, and a stretched or unstretched film such as nylon, polyester, or polypropylene can be used as a base material layer, and these can be combined and used.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the flexible packaging container 10, in which the flexible packaging container 10 before the liquid composition 30 is contained and distributed is placed on its side in a sideways state. The liquid composition 30 is contained in the container body 11 of the flexible packaging container 10, and the gas 31 is contained in the head space above the liquid composition 30. Before being dispensed, the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 is higher than the upper part of the discharge portion 13.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining one embodiment according to the present invention, and is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining a state in which the liquid composition 30 in the flexible packaging container 10 is discharged and the weight is reduced. It is explanatory drawing. As the discharge of the liquid composition 30 in the container body 11 of the flexible packaging container 10 progresses, the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 gradually lowers, and eventually the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 is lower than the upper part of the discharge portion 13. It becomes the position. In such a state, the discharge unit 13 comes into contact with the gas 31 of the container body 11, and when the liquid composition 30 is discharged in a sideways state, the gas 31 is caught in the discharged liquid composition 30 and becomes bubbles. Bubbles are also mixed in the liquid composition 30 that is mixed or remains in the container body 11. If bubbles are generated and mixed in the liquid composition 30, it becomes difficult to quantify the liquid composition 30 with high accuracy and distribute the liquid composition 30. Therefore, the liquid composition 30 is distributed to the distribution container 20, and the distribution container 20'(see FIG. 7) to which the liquid composition is distributed causes a decrease in yield and a decrease in productivity.

As described above, the generation of bubbles in the liquid composition 30 in the container body 11 and the mixing of the bubbles cause a decrease in the yield and a decrease in productivity of the distribution container 20'to which the liquid composition is distributed. It is necessary to suppress the generation of air bubbles and the mixing of air bubbles. Of course, if the liquid composition 30 is discharged in a state where the flexible packaging container 10 is inverted with the discharge unit 13 facing downward as in the conventional case, the discharge unit 13 can be prevented from coming into contact with the gas 31, so that bubbles are generated and mixed. It can be suppressed. However, in the case of the flexible packaging container 10 containing the liquid composition 30 containing a solid, the solid contained in the liquid composition 30 settles and gathers around the discharge portion 13 when the container is suspended. There is a drawback that the ingredients vary. In such a case, it is advantageous to distribute the flexible packaging container 10 in a sideways state.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining one embodiment according to the present invention, and is a plan view showing a distribution container 20. The distribution container 20 is a container for subdivision for distributing the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the distribution container 20 has a container main body 21 and a pouring port 23 that communicates the inside and the outside of the container main body 21. The distribution container 20 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is provided with one end portion 20a and the other end portion 20b facing each other, and one end portion 20a is provided with a pouring inlet portion 23. The injection port 23 serves as a flow path for injecting and discharging the liquid composition 30, and has a first injection port 24a, a second injection port 24b, and a third injection port 24c. For example, it is composed of a tubular member made of a plastic molded product, and communicates between the inside and the outside of the container body 21 so as to be closed. FIG. 4 shows an example in which three inlets / outlets are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the shape can be appropriately designed according to the application, and for example, a three-way seal bag, a four-way seal bag, a self-standing bag, or the like can be used.

In the distribution container 20, the sealable surfaces of the two film base materials 22 are overlapped with each other, and the first pouring port made of a tubular member is formed between the two film base materials 22 at the position where the pouring port 23 is planned to be formed. The 24a, the second injection port 24b, and the third injection port 24c are sandwiched apart from each other, and each of them is joined to the front and back film base materials 22 and the peripheral edges of the two laminated film base materials 22 are joined to form a seal portion. 25 is formed. As a joining method, the sealing portion 25 can be provided by a heat sealing method, an impulse sealing method, a high frequency heating sealing method, an ultrasonic sealing method, or the like for heat welding. The first inlet / outlet 24a, the second inlet / outlet 24b, and the third inlet / outlet 24c extend across the seal portion 25, and contain the liquid composition 30 to which the region surrounded by the seal portion 25 is distributed. The inside is connected to the inside and the outside. By doing so, the distributed liquid composition becomes a flow path that can be received and discharged.

The film base material 22 for producing the distribution container 20 is a resin film having a resin layer capable of heat-sealing at least on the inner surface, and has flexibility. Further, depending on the layer contained in the film base material 22, various properties such as light-shielding property, weather resistance, and barrier property can be imparted to the distribution container 20. Further, the distribution container 20'to which the liquid composition is distributed may be stored frozen, and the film base material 22 preferably has cold resistance. As the film base material 22, a heat-sealable resin can be used as in the film base material 12, and for example, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear (linear) low density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene- α-olefin copolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer resin, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, etc. It can be formed of a resin consisting of one or more resins. Further, a laminated body can also be used, and the laminated body can be, for example, a laminated body having two or more layers such as an outer layer / inner layer and an outer layer / intermediate layer / inner layer. As the base material of the outer layer, a synthetic resin film having excellent mechanical, physical, chemical and the like properties can be used, and for example, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polypropylene-based resins and the like can be used. .. Further, as the film using these resins, either an unstretched film or a stretched film stretched in the uniaxial or biaxial direction can be used, and the film thickness can be used as a base material. The thickness may be as long as it can be held to the minimum necessary for the strength, rigidity, etc.

Further, the intermediate layer is intended to impart gas barrier properties such as oxygen gas and water vapor gas and / or light shielding properties as a protective function required for the distribution container 20 depending on the liquid composition and the storage conditions thereof. It is provided between the base material layer and the inner layer. Examples of the material constituting this intermediate layer include metal foils such as aluminum, iron, copper, and tin, films such as polyvinyl alcohol, a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinylidene chloride, or polyester. A film obtained by applying polyvinylidene chloride to a film such as polyolefin such as polyamide and polypropylene and polyvinyl alcohol, or an inorganic substance such as aluminum, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, and zirconium oxide was vaporized to form a vapor-deposited layer. A film or the like can be used.

As the base material of the outer layer, a metal vapor deposition layer such as aluminum or an inorganic substance vapor deposition layer such as silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, and zirconium oxide is formed on the polyester-based, polyamide-based, or polypropylene-based film. It is possible to use the one obtained by forming a coating film of polyvinylidene chloride, and in this case, the intermediate layer may be omitted. As the inner layer, the above heat-sealable resin can be used. As the laminating method, a dry laminating method using a two-component curable adhesive, an extrusion laminating method in which a thermoplastic resin is melt-extruded, or the like is used.

As the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10 and distributed to the distribution container 20, the liquid composition 30 containing a solid is particularly preferable, for example, beverages such as juice containing fruits and cells in which cells are suspended. Examples thereof include suspensions, protein suspensions in which proteins are suspended, suspensions in which particles and the like are dispersed, and the like. In the present invention, the liquid composition may be a water-soluble composition or a simple liquid substance containing no composition.

In the distribution device 40 and the distribution method of the present embodiment, for example, when the liquid composition 30 is distributed from the flexible packaging container 10 to the distribution container 20, the flexible packaging container 10 is laid on its side and the liquid is supplied to the distribution container 20. One of the features is that even if the composition 30 is distributed, the generation of bubbles and the mixing of bubbles can be suppressed. Specifically, the distribution method of the present invention is a method of distributing the liquid composition 30 from the flexible packaging container 10 containing the liquid composition 30 to the distribution container 20, and the flexible packaging container 10 is a liquid. A container body 11 for accommodating the composition 30 and a discharge portion 13 for discharging the liquid composition 30 from the container body 11 are provided on one end 10a, and the flexible packaging container 10 is provided on one end 10a. A step of supporting the flexible packaging container 10 in a sideways state with the discharge unit 13 and the other end 10b facing the discharge unit 13 in the left-right direction, and a flexible packaging container 10 supported in the sideways state as the discharge unit 13. A step of lifting the flexible packaging container 10 upward by the lifting means 42 and a fixing means for fixing the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 in the vertical direction intersecting the left-right direction of the container body 11 between the other end portions 10b. A step of fixing by 43 and a step of moving the lifting means by a movable moving means 44 are provided, so that the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 is higher than the height of the discharging portion 13 by the lifting means 42. The liquid composition 30 is distributed from the flexible packaging container 10 to the distribution container 20. According to the distribution method of the present invention, the generation and mixing of air bubbles in the liquid composition 30 in the flexible packaging container 10 can be effectively suppressed, so that the distribution accuracy is obtained and the liquid composition is distributed. The yield of the distribution container 20'can be improved, and the productivity is improved. Therefore, the distribution method and the distribution device 40 according to the present embodiment described below are particularly suitable for the liquid composition 30 containing a solid, which is preferably distributed in a sideways state. Further, the moving means 44 moves the lifting means 42 in parallel in the left-right direction.
It is preferable that the fixing means 43 fixes the side of the flexible packaging container 10 without the discharge portion 13 and the support base, but the position of the flexible packaging container 10 does not necessarily have to be fixed by the fixing means 43. For example, the weight of the flexible packaging container 10 may be used.

Next, the first to fourth specific examples according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. In the first to fourth specific examples, the lifting means 42 of the flexible packaging container 10 is different. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals will be given to the corresponding configurations between the first to fourth specific examples, and duplicate description will be omitted. In FIGS. 5 and 7 to 10, the portion of the container body 11 bent by the lift means 42 is shown with the two film base materials 12 slightly separated from each other for convenience, but in reality, two films are shown. The film base material 12 of the above is in contact with each other, and it is possible to prevent the backflow of the liquid composition 30.

[First specific example]
First, a first specific example will be described. 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining a first specific example of the present embodiment. 5 is a side view for explaining the distribution device 40 and the distribution method, FIG. 6 is a plan view, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the lift means 42 is moved as the distribution operation progresses.

The distribution device 40 is a device that distributes the liquid composition 30 from the flexible packaging container 10 filled with the liquid composition 30 to the distribution container 20, and is a support means 41 that supports the flexible packaging container 10 in a sideways state. A lifting means 42 for lifting the flexible packaging container 10 upward, a fixing means 43 for fixing the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10, and a moving means 44 for which the lifting means 42 can move in parallel in the left-right direction. To be equipped. Further, it has a liquid composition transfer means 45 for transferring the liquid composition 30 from the flexible packaging container 10 to the distribution container 20.

As the supporting means 41 for supporting the flexible packaging container 10 in a lying state, for example, a support base 41a having a horizontal plane capable of supporting the flexible packaging container 10 containing the liquid composition 30 in a lying state is preferable. The support base 41a preferably swings, and more preferably swings in the vertical direction. Regarding the size of the horizontal plane of the support base 41a, it is preferable that the flexible packaging container 10 does not protrude from the horizontal plane of the support base 41a when the flexible packaging container 10 is placed on its side, and the outer shell of the flexible packaging container 10 supports it. It is preferable that the table 41a fits within the horizontal plane.

The lifting means 42 for lifting the flexible packaging container 10 upward is composed of a lifting member 42a that can control the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 to be higher than the height of the discharge portion 13, and FIGS. As shown in 6, the lifting member 42a has a convex structure upward from the support 41a, and is orthogonal to the direction (left-right direction) of the opposite one end 10a and the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10. It is preferable to have a length that straddles the front-back direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the lift member 42a includes a contact portion 42b that abuts on the flexible packaging container 10 and bends the flexible packaging container 10. The contact portion 42b preferably has a raised structure that is raised upward, and may have a structure having an acute angle or a radius (R) at the upper portion. The lift member 42a bends the flexible packaging container 10 upward at the contact portion 42b to collect the liquid composition 30 on one end portion 10a side and prevent the liquid composition 30 from flowing back to the other end portion 10b side. Is. Further, the height of the lifting member 42a is the height h1 from the horizontal plane of the support base 41a to the contact portion 42b, which is the height of the liquid level formed when the liquid composition 30 is collected on the one end portion 10a side. That is, the relationship with the height h2 from the horizontal plane of the support 41a to the liquid surface of the liquid composition 30 satisfies h1> h2.

Further, the lift means 42 preferably has a raised structure included in the lift member 42a that is movable in the vertical direction, and the lower limit position may be the same as the horizontal plane of the support base 41a or a position lower than the horizontal plane. By adopting a configuration that is movable in the vertical direction, the relationship with the height h2 from the horizontal plane of the support base 41a to the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 with the progress of the distribution work from the flexible packaging container 10 is h1>. It is preferable because it makes it easier to hold h2.

The fixing means 43 is for fixing the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10, and it is sufficient that at least the side of the other end 10b of the container body 11 can be fixed, and the fixing means 43 is, but is not limited to, for example, a clamp. A functional fixture 43a can be used. Alternatively, the structure may be such that the other end portion 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 is sandwiched by a screw method. Further, the other end portion 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 may be fixed to the support base 41a by using an adhesive tape such as cellophane tape (registered trademark).

In the lift means 42, the height h2 from the horizontal plane of the support base 41a to the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 is higher than the height h3 from the horizontal plane of the support base 41a to the upper surface of the discharge port 14 by the lift means 42. It is controlled, and it becomes easy to control because the lift means 42 is movable in the vertical direction. Further, the lift means 42 can be translated in the left-right direction by the moving means 44. As an example of the moving means 44, for example, a pair of carriages in which the lift member 42a straddles the support base 41a in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 6) and supports the lift members 42a at both ends by a bridge structure, and a lift member supported by the carriages. It includes a pair of rotatable screw spindles for translating 42a in the left-right direction, and a transmission housing for rotating the screw spindles.

The pair of carriages are arranged at the ends of the support base 41a in the front-rear direction so as to face each other via the support base 41a. The screws of the pair of screw spindles are engaged with the pair of carriages, respectively, and the carriage and the lift member 42a supported by the carriages can be moved in the left-right direction in conjunction with the rotation of the screw spindles. The pair of screw spindles have a rod shape, and the length thereof is determined according to the length of the support base 41a in the left-right direction, and one end in the length direction is the one end side of the support base 41a. It is rotatably supported in the circumferential direction, and at the other end, for example, each has a gear of the same diameter, and the gear is provided in the transmission housing. Each gear is driveably engaged with a toothed drive belt or the like provided in the transmission housing. Therefore, when the drive belt of the transmission housing is driven, the pair of screw spindles rotate in the circumferential direction at the same time, and the carriages engaged with both screw spindles are operated synchronously, so that the lifting member 42a supported by the carriages is operated. Is controlled to move along the left-right direction of the support 41a. The carriage, screw spindle, transmission housing, etc. are not shown.

The liquid composition transfer means 45 is for transferring the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10 to the distribution container 20, and in FIG. 5, for example, a pumping device 45a including a pump and a first pump. It has a line L1 and a second line L2. As the pump of the pumping device 45a, a syringe pump or a belister pump capable of quantitative transfer is used. The first line L1 connects the pumping device 45a and the flexible packaging container 10 and is inserted into the discharge port 14 of the flexible packaging container 10. The second line connects the pumping device 45a and the distribution container 20 and is inserted into the injection port 23 of the distribution container 20.

The distribution method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the method of distributing the liquid composition 30, the discharge portion 13 provided on one end 10a of the flexible packaging container 10 containing the liquid composition 30 and the other end 10b facing the discharge portion 13 are left and right. In the step of supporting the flexible packaging container 10 in the sideways state and in the vertical direction in which the flexible packaging container 10 supported in the sideways state intersects the left-right direction of the container body 11 between the discharge portion 13 and the other end portion 10b. , The step of lifting the flexible packaging container 10 upward by the lifting means 42, the step of fixing the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 by the fixing means 43, and the step of moving the lifting means 42 by the movable moving means 44. The step includes a step of distributing the liquid composition 30 contained in the flexible packaging container 10 to the distribution container 20.

First, in the step of supporting the flexible packaging container 10 in a sideways state, the lift member 42a is brought closer to the other end side of the support base 41a on the side opposite to the side where the liquid composition transfer means 45 is located. Next, the liquid composition 30 of the flexible packaging container 10 is brought closer to the discharge port 14, and the flexible packaging container 10 is brought into contact with the contact portion 42b of the lift member 42a, and the other end portion 10b is brought into contact with the fixture 43a. It is fixed to the support base 41a, and the liquid composition 30 is kept close to the discharge port 14 side from the contact portion 42b. FIG. 5 shows the state, and the flexible packaging container 10 is bent at the abutting portion 42b by the lift member 42a having a raised structure upward, and is shaped like a dogleg. The film base material 12 in the abutting portion 42b is pushed up by the abutting portion 42b to be brought into close contact with the film base material 12 and prevents the liquid composition 30 brought to the discharge port 14 side from flowing back to the other end portion 10b. There is. Then, the height h1 from the horizontal plane of the support base to the contact portion of the lifting member, the height h2 from the horizontal plane of the support base to the liquid surface of the liquid composition, and the height from the horizontal plane of the support base to the upper surface of the discharge port. The relationship of h3 is h1>h2> h3
I am satisfied.

Next, the first line L1 is liquid-tightly inserted into the discharge port 14 of the flexible packaging container 10 mounted on the support base 41a, and the second line L2 is liquid-tightly inserted into the pouring port 23 of the distribution container 20. It is connected and the distribution is started by the pumping device 45a.

Alternatively, the position of the contact portion 42b of the lift member 42a is lowered to a horizontal plane or a position lower than the horizontal plane of the support base 41a, and the lift member 42a is brought closer to the fixture 43a side. Next, it is supported on the support base 41a in a sideways state. The discharge port 14 of the flexible packaging container 10 is on the one end side of the support 41a, and the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 is on the fixture 43a side. Next, the other end portion 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 is fixed to the support base 41a with the fixture 43a. Then, the first line L1 is liquid-tightly inserted into the discharge port 14 of the flexible packaging container 10 mounted on the support base 41a, and the second line L2 is liquid-tightly inserted into the pouring port 23 of the distribution container 20. It is connected and the distribution is started by the pumping device 45a. As the dispensing work progresses, the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 drops, but the lifting member 42a is moved upward and further moved to the discharge port 14 side by the moving means 44, so that the support base The relationship between the height h1 from the horizontal plane to the contact portion of the lifting member, the height h2 from the horizontal plane of the support base to the liquid surface of the liquid composition, and the height h3 from the horizontal plane of the support base to the upper surface of the discharge port is h1. >H2> h3
To be controlled to satisfy. During this time, the flexible packaging container 10 is bent at the abutting portion 42b by the lift member 42a provided with the raised structure to form a dogleg shape, thereby preventing backflow.
Further, the support base 41a is not fixed but can be moved, and can be upright or tilted. Specifically, the other end 10b of the flexible packaging container 10 is fixed to the support 41a with the fixture 43a, and the other end side of the support 41a on the fixture 43a side is raised, or one of them is raised. The liquid composition 30 can be brought closer to the discharge port 14 side by its own weight by erecting or tilting the support base 41a by lowering the end side.

The gas 31 in FIG. 7 has almost no change from the amount of gas before the start of distribution even if the amount of the liquid composition 30 is reduced, but it is exaggerated for the sake of easy understanding. As shown in FIG. 7, when the distribution work progresses and the distribution container 20'to which the liquid composition is distributed is produced one after another, the amount of the liquid composition 30 decreases, but the lift member 42a decreases as the amount decreases. Moves to the discharge port 14 side by the moving means 44. Then, the lift member 42a controls the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition 30 to be higher than the height of the discharge portion 13, and the relationship of h1> h2> h3 is satisfied. Therefore, even if the distribution work proceeds. It is possible to suppress the mixing of air bubbles in the liquid composition 30, and it is possible to improve the distribution accuracy. The abutting portion 52b moves while sliding in contact with the surface of the film base material 12 on the lower side of the container body 11, the bent state is maintained, and the two film base materials 12 are in close contact with each other at the bent portion. Therefore, even if the lift member 42a moves, the backflow of the liquid composition 30 can be prevented.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention, is a side view for explaining a distribution device and a distribution method, and corresponds to FIG. is there. In FIG. 8, the abutting portion of the lift member 42a has a roller structure 42c. Others are the same as those of the first specific example, and the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted. Compared with the contact portion 42b provided with the raised structure of the first specific example, the roller structure 42c of the second specific example has an increased contact area with the film base material 12, and when the lift member 42a moves in the left-right direction, the contact portion 42a is hit. The contact resistance with the container body 11 applied to the roller structure 42c, which is the contact portion, is increased, but the rotatable structure reduces the contact resistance and facilitates the distribution work. As the roller structure 42c, a cylindrical roller may be provided on the shaft so as to be rotatable, or the shaft and the roller may be integrated into a rotatable structure. The roller structure 42c can be a rotating method based on frictional resistance with the container body 11 or a rotating method based on driving, and is optional.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention, is a side view for explaining a distribution device and a distribution method, and corresponds to FIG. .. The third specific example of the present embodiment has a clamp structure 42d in which the abutting portion of the lift member 42a straddles the container body 11 of the flexible packaging container 10 and sandwiches it in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 6). Others are the same as in the first specific example. The clamp structure 42d is not particularly limited as long as rod-shaped or plate-shaped members can be arranged vertically to face each other and the container body 11 can be clamped. When the lifting means 42 is moved by the moving means 44, a structure that reduces the contact resistance between the container body 11 of the flexible packaging container 10 and the clamp structure 42d is preferable, and a slip layer such as silicone may be provided on the surface to be clamped. The clamp pressure only needs to be nipable to such an extent that the liquid composition 30 can be prevented from flowing back toward the other end portion 10b when the lift means 42 moves, and is preferably small.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth specific example of the present embodiment according to the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 5 which is a side view for explaining a distribution device and a distribution method. The fourth specific example of the present embodiment is a configuration in which the plate-shaped member 46 is provided above the abutting portion 42b of the lift member 42a. Others are the same as in the first specific example. The plate-shaped member 46 is arranged so as to face above the contact portion 42b, and when the flexible packaging container 10 is placed on the lift member 42a, the bent portion of the flexible packaging container 10 bent by the contact portion 42b is formed. It is sandwiched between the abutting portion 42b and the plate-shaped member 46. The plate-shaped member 46 is provided independently of the lift means 42, and is fixed and provided on a fixed portion such as a support base 41a by the support means. Therefore, while the flexible packaging container 10 is sandwiched between the contact portion 42b of the lift member 42a and the plate-shaped member 46, only the contact portion 42b of the lift member 42a moves in parallel in the left-right direction. The plate-shaped member 46 is not particularly limited as long as it is a plate-shaped member, but it is preferable that the plate-shaped member 46 has a size that allows the lift means 42 to come into contact with the contact portion 42b while moving in parallel in the left-right direction. When the lifting means 42 is moved by the moving means 44, a structure that lowers the contact resistance with the container body 11 of the flexible packaging container 10 is preferable, and a slip layer such as silicone may be provided on the sandwiching surface. The pressure to be sandwiched may be as long as it can prevent the liquid composition 30 from flowing back toward the other end 10b when the lifting means 42 moves, and is preferably small. Further, in the second specific example, the plate-shaped member 46 is arranged above the roller structure 42c as in the fourth specific example, and when the flexible packaging container 10 is placed on the lift member 42a, or the lift member 42a rises. When the flexible packaging container 10 is lifted, the bent portion of the flexible packaging container 10 bent by the roller structure 42c may be sandwiched between the roller structure 42c and the plate-shaped member 46.

The specific examples described so far show typical examples of the distribution device 40 and the distribution method of the present invention, and the distribution device 40 and the distribution method according to the present invention are included in this. Anything that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention is included in the present invention.

10 Flexible packaging container 10a, 20a One end 10b, 20b The other end 11, 21 Container body 12, 22 Film base material 13 Discharge part 14 Discharge port 15, 25 Seal part 20 Dispensing container 20'Liquid composition Distributing container 23 Dispensing container 23 Injection port 24a 1st injection port 24b 2nd injection port 24c 3rd injection port 30 Liquid composition 31 Gas 40 Dispensing device 41 Support means 41a Support stand 42 Lifting means 42a Lifting member 42b Contact 42c Roller structure 42d Clamp structure 46 Plate-shaped member 43 Fixing means 43a Fixing tool 44 Moving means 45 Liquid composition transfer means 45a Pumping device L1 1st line L2 2nd line h1 Contact part of lifting member from horizontal plane of support H2 Height from the horizontal surface of the support to the liquid level of the liquid composition h3 Height from the horizontal surface of the support to the upper surface of the discharge port

Claims (8)

The liquid from a flexible packaging container provided with a container body for accommodating the liquid composition inside and a discharge portion provided on one side of the container body for discharging the liquid composition to the outside of the container body. A dispensing device that dispenses the composition to other containers.
The distribution device is provided on the support base and the support base, and the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition becomes higher than the height of the discharge portion in a state of being in contact with a part of the surface of the container body. As a lifting means for lifting a part of the container body from the support base,
A moving means for moving the contacted portion of the lifting means in a predetermined direction is provided.
By moving the contact portion of the lifting means toward the discharge portion of the flexible packaging container by the moving means, the liquid composition is collected in the direction of the discharge portion, and the liquid composition is collected in the direction of the discharge portion, and the said in the flexible packaging container. A dispensing device characterized in that a liquid composition is dispensed from the discharge portion to another container. The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the abutting portion in which the lifting means comes into contact with the flexible packaging container has a raised structure that is raised upward, and the raised structure is movable in the vertical direction. Distributor. The distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has a roller structure. The distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has a clamp structure for sandwiching the flexible packaging container. The distribution device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a plate-shaped member is provided above the contact portion of the lift means. The distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a fixing means for fixing the position of the flexible packaging container on the side where the discharge portion is not provided. The distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the discharge unit of the flexible packaging container includes a plurality of discharge ports. The liquid from a flexible packaging container provided with a container body for accommodating the liquid composition inside and a discharge portion provided on one side of the container body for discharging the liquid composition to the outside of the container body. A method of distributing the composition to another container.
The container body is provided on the support base and the support base so that the height of the liquid level of the liquid composition is higher than the height of the discharge portion in a state of being in contact with a part of the surface of the container body. A step of lifting the flexible packaging container by a lifting means for partially lifting the support base, and
A step of moving the contact portion of the lift means in contact with the moving means by moving the contact portion in a predetermined direction, and
With
By moving the contact portion of the lifting means toward the discharge portion of the flexible packaging container by the moving means, the liquid composition is collected in the direction of the discharge portion, and the liquid composition is collected in the direction of the discharge portion, and the said in the flexible packaging container. A method for distributing a liquid composition from the discharge unit to another container.

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