JP2020172312A - Cylindrical container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cylindrical container that can be easily folded in a radial direction that intersects an axial direction of the cylinder.SOLUTION: A cylindrical container includes a cylindrical member 12 consisted of a cylindrical film and end face members 11 and 13 provided at an end part in an axial direction of the cylindrical member 12. The periphery of the end face members 11 and 13 and the cylindrical member 12 are joined via annular joint parts 12a and 12b. The end face member 13 has folds 21a and 21b for extending in a radial direction when the cylindrical member 12 is crushed in a radial direction intersecting an axis C thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a tubular container that is easy to fold.

Patent Document 1 describes a cylindrical storage cylinder having an open end portion and a base end portion, a bottom member provided at the open end portion of the base end portion, and a top plate member provided at the open end portion of the base end portion. A cartridge for a fluid substance, which is composed of, and is filled with a fluid substance inside, is described. In the case of Patent Document 1, since the cylindrical accommodating cylinder is crushed along the extrusion direction of the contents, substantially the entire area is crushed when the entire amount is discharged.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-566692

In the case of Patent Document 1, since the tubular container is crushed in the axial direction of the cylinder, if the cylinder is flexible, it can be easily crushed. However, when the tubular container is folded in the radial direction that intersects the axial direction of the cylinder, the annular end of the cylinder is crushed linearly, and finally, the length is approximately half the circumference of the cylinder in the radial direction. Since the width is increased, it is difficult to maintain the joint state between the end surface (top surface or bottom surface) that closes the end portion of the cylinder and the cylinder.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tubular container that can be easily folded in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction of the cylinder.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a tubular member made of a tubular film and an end face member provided at an axial end portion of the tubular member, and around the end face member. The tubular member is joined via an annular joint portion, and the end face member has folds for extending in the radial direction when the tubular member is crushed in the radial direction intersecting the axis thereof. Provided is a tubular container characterized by having.
The tubular member may be cylindrical.
The end face member may be at least one of a top surface member and a bottom surface member.

The folds may be formed in a stepped shape so that the cross section of the end face member bends in one direction along the axis toward the inside in the radial direction.
The folds may be formed in a zigzag shape so that the cross section of the end face member bends alternately in one direction along the axis and in the opposite direction as the cross section of the end face member goes inward in the radial direction.
In the region in contact with the joint portion, the fold has a convex portion extending in one direction along the axis as the cross section of the end face member goes inward in the radial direction, and a central portion away from the joint portion. In the above, a concave portion curved in a direction opposite to the convex portion may be included.
The folds may be formed in a cone shape in which the cross section of the end face member extends in one direction along the axis toward the inside in the radial direction.

According to the present invention, it becomes easy to fold the tubular container in the radial direction intersecting the axial direction.

It is a perspective view which illustrates the appearance of a tubular container. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the tubular container which has a step-like folding structure. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the tubular container which has a folding structure in both end face members. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the zigzag-shaped folding structure. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the folding structure of a middle fold shape. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the folding structure of a cone shape.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a tubular container. The tubular container 10 has a top surface member 11 having a spout 14, a tubular member 12 having the top surface member 11 joined to one end, and a bottom member 13 joined to the other end of the tubular member 12. It is configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape. The tubular container 10 can be self-supporting. Here, the self-supporting property of the tubular container 10 is a property capable of self-supporting at least in a state where the contents are filled. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tubular container 10 can stand on its own even when the contents are not filled.

The tubular container 10 has a top surface member 11 and a bottom surface member 13 as end surface members provided at the axial end portions of the tubular member 12. The top surface member 11 has an upper surface when it is self-supporting, and the bottom surface member 13 has a lower surface when it is self-standing. The tubular member 12 is made of a film so as to cover the circumferential direction intersecting in the vertical direction between the top surface member 11 and the bottom surface member 13. The tubular container 10 can be composed of three parts in which a top surface member 11, a tubular member 12, and a bottom surface member 13 are combined one by one. The top surface member 11 and the bottom surface member 13 of the present embodiment are substantially circular.

The top surface member 11, the tubular member 12, and the bottom surface member 13 can be made of a film such as a resin film or a laminated film. The resin film may be a single-layer resin film or a multi-layer resin film. Examples of different materials to be laminated with the resin in the laminated film include a metal foil, a metal vapor deposition layer, a metal plate, and paper. Even when the tubular container 10 is folded as described later, the barrier property is good when a metal foil or a metal plate is used. A film containing a metal plate can be used as a substitute for a can. The metal plate in this case is preferably thinner than the metal plate constituting the can. For example, the thickness of the metal plate is preferably 20% to 50% with respect to the thickness of the laminated film, and as specific examples, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc. Alternatively, an intermediate value between these can be mentioned. Examples of the material of the metal plate include aluminum, tin, tin plate (tin-plated steel plate), and steel. The laminated film has a resin layer on at least one side of a dissimilar material. From the viewpoint of barrier property, rigidity and the like, it is preferable that the laminated film contains a metal foil such as an aluminum foil.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top surface joint portion 12a, which is a joint portion between the top surface member 11 and the tubular member 12, has a tubular member obtained by bending the peripheral edge portion 11b of the top surface member 11 with respect to the top surface portion 11a. It can be configured to face the inner surface of the twelve. Further, the bottom surface joint portion 12b, which is a joint portion between the bottom surface member 13 and the tubular member 12, is configured such that the peripheral edge portion 13b of the bottom surface member 13 is bent with respect to the bottom surface portion 13a and faces the inner surface of the tubular member 12. can do. The top surface joint portion 12a and the bottom surface joint portion 12b are formed in an annular shape around the top surface member 11 or the bottom surface member 13, respectively.

In the present embodiment, in the top surface joining portion 12a, the outer surface of the top surface member 11 is joined to the inner surface of the tubular member 12, and the peripheral edge portion 11b is bent to the back side of the top surface member 11. Further, in the bottom surface joining portion 12b, the inner surface of the bottom surface member 13 is joined to the inner surface of the tubular member 12, and the peripheral edge portion 13b is bent toward the front side of the bottom surface member 13. Here, the inner surface and the back side are the sides in contact with the contents filled in the tubular container 10. The outer surface and the front side are opposite sides of the inner surface and the back side, respectively. Although not particularly shown, peripheral portions 11b and 13b of the top surface member 11 or the bottom surface member 13 may be joined to the outer surface of the tubular member 12. In particular, when the tubular member 12 has rigidity (the tubular member 12 is not flexible), after joining the peripheral edge portion 13b of the bottom surface member 13 to the inner surface of the tubular member 12, the top surface member 11 It is preferable to join the peripheral edge portion 11b to the outer surface of the tubular member 12.

The spout 14 has a tubular portion 14a having a flow path that can be opened and closed by a cap 15 or the like, and a flange portion 14b joined to the top surface member 11. In the case of the present embodiment, the top surface member 11 has an opening 11c in which the spout 14 is arranged at a substantially central portion. In particular, although not shown, it is also possible to provide the spout 14 on the bottom member 13. The top surface member 11 and the spout 14 are not indispensable configurations, and for example, a tubular container that opens upward from the tubular member 12 and the bottom surface member 13 can be configured. The cap 15 may be resealably coupled to the spout 14 by a screw, elastic contraction force, or the like. The spout 14 may be integrally molded with the top member 11 or the bottom member 13.

Next, an embodiment of the folding structure will be described. The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2 to 6 show a cross section of the tubular member 12 along a surface including the axis C. Of these, FIGS. 4 to 6 show only the bottom portion of the tubular container, but the upper portion of these tubular containers may be configured in the same manner as the upper portion of the tubular container shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, for example. The left-right direction in each cross-sectional view is a radial direction intersecting the axis C of the tubular member 12.

In the tubular container 10 shown in FIG. 2, a step-like folding structure 21 is provided on the bottom surface member 13. The folding structure 21 includes at least one fold fold 21a, 21b. It is preferable that a plurality of stepped folds 21a and 21b are provided between the peripheral edge portion 13b of the bottom surface member 13 and the shaft C. The folds 21a and 21b form a stepped cross section of the bottom member 13 so as to bend in one direction along the axis C toward the inside in the radial direction. The folds 21a and 21b may be formed concentrically around the axis C.

In the tubular container 20 shown in FIG. 3, not only the bottom surface member 13 but also the top surface member 11 is provided with a stepped folding structure 21. When the spout 14 and the folding structure 21 are combined with the top surface member 11, at least one fold is formed between the peripheral edge portion 11b of the top surface member 11 and the spout 14 with the circumference of the spout 14 being substantially horizontal. It is preferable to provide 21a and 21b. In order to protect the folding structure 21, cover caps 31 and 32 made of resin or the like may be provided. The cover caps 31 and 32 of the present embodiment have cover portions 31a and 32a that cover the top surface portion 11a or the bottom surface portion 13a, and mounting portions 31b and 32b that are fitted to the peripheral portions 11b and 13b. The cover portion 32a that covers the bottom surface portion 13a is preferably flat or concave when viewed from below. The cover portion 31a that covers the top surface portion 11a may be convex when viewed from above so as to cover the spout 14 and the cap 15. When the spout 14 and the cap 15 do not protrude from the top surface portion 11a, they may be flat or concave when viewed from above. When the cover portion 31a has an opening through which the spout 14 is passed, it is not necessary to cover the spout 14 and the cap 15. In this embodiment, one or both of the cover caps 31 and 32 may be omitted. Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 or 4 to 6, the cover cap 32 can be provided to protect the folding structures 21, 22, 23, 24.

The bottom surface member 13 shown in FIG. 4 has a zigzag-shaped folding structure 22. The folding structure 22 includes a plurality of folds 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. Due to these folds 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, the cross section of the bottom member 13 is zigzag so as to be bent alternately in one direction along the axis C and in the opposite direction as the cross section of the bottom member 13 is bent inward in the radial direction. Is formed in. The folds 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d may be formed concentrically around the axis C.

The bottom surface member 13 shown in FIG. 5 has a folding structure 23 having a middle fold shape. In the region of contact with the bottom surface joint portion 12b, the folding structure 23 has a convex portion 23a extending in one direction along the axis C as the cross section of the bottom surface member 13 goes inward in the radial direction, and the bottom surface joint portion 12b. In the distant central portion, the concave portion 23b curved in the direction opposite to the convex portion 23a is included. In the case of the present embodiment, the convex portion 23a extends from the bottom surface joint portion 12b to the back side of the bottom surface member 13. Further, the concave portion 23b extends from the convex portion 23a to the front side of the bottom surface member 13. The concave portion 23b may be folded in the radial direction like a so-called fedora hat (Panama hat, Bahamas hat).

The bottom surface member 13 shown in FIG. 6 has a cone-shaped folding structure 24. The folding structure 24 is formed in a cone shape in which the cross section of the bottom surface member 13 extends in one direction along the axis C as it goes inward in the radial direction. Specifically, it has a conical surface 24b that is inclined toward the apex 24a of the central portion of the bottom surface member 13. In the case of the present embodiment, the conical surface 24b extends from the bottom surface joint 12b to the back side of the bottom surface member 13. When the tubular member 12 is cylindrical, the conical surface 24b may be conical. The apex 24a may be located on the axis C or may be located radially offset from the axis C. The central portion of the conical surface 24b is not limited to the point-shaped apex 24a, and may be, for example, a planar shape or a hemispherical shape.

By providing the above-mentioned folding structures 21, 22, 23, 24 on at least one of the top surface member 11 and the bottom surface member 13, it is easy to fold the top surface member 11 or the bottom surface member 13 in the radial direction of the tubular member 12. Become. At the time of folding, it is also possible to configure the top surface joint portion 12a or the bottom surface joint portion 12b so that the joint between the top surface member 11 or the bottom surface member 13 and the tubular member 12 is not separated. In this case, the folded tubular container can be inflated again for use. For example, when the inside of a tubular container is empty, it is possible to transport the container in a folded state, inflate the container again to form a tubular shape, and then fill the contents.

The folding structures 21, 22, 23, 24 may be provided only on the top surface member 11, may be provided only on the bottom surface member 13, or may be provided on both the top surface member 11 and the bottom surface member 13. The folding structure provided on the top surface member 11 and the folding structure provided on the bottom surface member 13 may be the same type of folding structure, or may be a different type of folding structure. When the top member 11 and the bottom member 13 are provided with the same type of folding structure, the positions, numbers, dimensions, etc. of the folds may be the same or different from each other. In one end face member, for example, a structure in which different types of folding structures 21, 22, 23, 24 are combined, such as a combination of stepped folds 21a, 21b and zigzag folds 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. May be good.

Although the present invention has been described above based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Modifications include addition, replacement, omission, and other changes of components in each embodiment. It is also possible to appropriately combine the components used in the two or more embodiments.

The end surface member (top surface member or bottom surface member) can be composed of a laminate having, for example, a sealant layer, a base material layer, and the like. A barrier layer may be provided on the end face member. Examples of the material constituting the sealant layer include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cycloolefin polymers (COP), and cycloolefin copolymers (COC). At least one or more of cyclic olefin resins such as, adhesive resins, and coating agents can be mentioned. As the barrier layer, an aluminum foil or an aluminum-deposited film is preferable. As the material constituting the base material layer, nylon (aliphatic polyamide), polyester and the like are preferable. The thickness of the base material layer is, for example, 5 to 50 μm, more preferably 10 to 30 μm. For the flexible film, for example, the total thickness of each layer is preferably 500 μm or less, and may be about 350 μm or about 200 μm.

The planar shape of the end surface (top surface or bottom surface) of the tubular member is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse, an oval, an oval, a polygon, or the like. Examples of the polygon of the plane shape include a convex polygon such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a hexagon, and an octagon, and a concave polygon such as a star. The planar shape of the end face member and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the tubular member can be appropriately set according to the planar shape of the end face (top surface or bottom surface). For example, when the end face member has a polygonal shape, the tubular member also has a polygonal columnar shape. When the end faces of the tubular member are polygonal, the axial direction can be the direction connecting the substantially centers (for example, the center of gravity) of the polygons constituting both end faces. The radial direction intersecting the axis may be a direction that passes through the substantially center of the end face along the end face, for example, a direction connecting the midpoints of two opposing sides, and a direction connecting one vertex and the midpoint of the opposite side. , Diagonal direction (direction connecting two opposing vertices) and the like. Here, the end face of the tubular member refers to the inner side of the plane perpendicular to the axis surrounded by the tubular member, for example, at both ends of the tubular member in the axial direction regardless of the presence or absence of the end face member on each end face. It is a virtual plane consisting of areas.

The tubular member may be formed in a tubular shape having no joint in the circumferential direction, or one flat sheet may be rolled into a C-shaped cross section and joined by providing a seam parallel to the axis at one location in the circumferential direction. You may. When a joint portion is provided in the circumferential direction of the tubular member, it is preferable to superimpose and join the inner surface of one end edge and the outer surface of the other end edge because the joint portion does not easily protrude to the outer periphery. At the joint of the tubular members, the inner surfaces of both end edges or the outer surfaces may be opposed to each other and joined. The tubular member is not limited to the case where the top surface and the bottom surface are congruent (same shape and the same dimensions), for example, the top surface is large and the bottom surface is small, or the top surface is small and the bottom surface is large. It may have a taper. The top surface and the bottom surface may have similar shapes, or may have different shapes from each other. The cylindrical member may be formed by joining both ends of a substantially rectangular film. By forming the two opposite sides of a substantially rectangular film into an arc shape, the tubular member can be formed into a conical shape.

The diameter of the tubular member is, for example, in the range of 5 to 250 mm, preferably in the range of 10 to 200 mm. Here, the diameter when the tubular member has a square tubular shape is the distance between the vertices and the vertices, the sides and the sides, or the vertices and the sides facing each other, and when these are two or more, the minimum value and The maximum value is preferably within the above range. The diameter of the tubular member is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, or the like. The tubular member may be composed of a laminated body similar to the end face member, or may have a structure different from that of the end face member.

The properties of the contents contained in the tubular container are arbitrary, such as liquid, solid, powder, granular material, and a mixture of two or more of these. The type of contents is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include beverages, foodstuffs, seasonings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents, adhesives, household products, and industrial products. Each member constituting the tubular container may be provided with one or more functionalities such as an oxygen absorption function, an odor absorption function, and a non-adsorption function. The tubular member, the top surface member, the bottom surface member, and the spout may each have at least one or more printed patterns. Each member constituting the tubular container is not limited to resin, and different materials such as paper, cloth, non-woven fabric, and fiber may be laminated or blended.

The spout is not limited to a three-dimensional molded product having a tubular spout and a flange portion along the end face member, and may have any structure as long as it functions as an outlet for the contents. Further, the means for closing the spout is not limited to the cap, and any structure may be used. For example, the opening of the top surface member may be used as a spout as it is, a film for sealing may be attached to the opening, and a straw may be inserted into the film to suck out the contents. Further, although it is possible to provide a spout in the tubular member, the tubular member may have a structure having no spout from the viewpoint of the independence and strength of the container.

The direction of the spout is not limited to substantially perpendicular to the end face member as in the above-described embodiment, and may be oblique. When pouring out the contents, the spout may be turned sideways or downward, or the contents may be taken out by suction while the spout is facing upward. The number of spouts provided in the tubular container is not limited, and may be two or more. The spout may be used for purposes other than pouring the contents, such as injecting the contents and inflowing air.

C ... Shaft, 10, 20 ... Cylindrical container, 11 ... Top surface member, 11a ... Top surface portion, 11b ... Peripheral portion, 11c ... Opening, 12 ... Cylindrical member, 12a ... Top surface joint, 12b ... Bottom surface joint Part, 13 ... Bottom member, 13a ... Bottom part, 13b ... Peripheral part, 14 ... Spout, 14a ... Cylindrical part, 14b ... Flange part, 15 ... Cap, 21 ... Step-like folding structure, 21a, 21b ... Stairs Folded folds, 22 ... zigzag folds, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d ... zigzag folds, 23 ... middle folds, 23a ... convex, 23b ... concave, 24 ... cones Folding structure of shape, 24a ... vertex, 24b ... conical surface, 31, 32 ... cover cap, 31a, 32a ... cover portion, 31b, 32b ... mounting portion.

Claims (7)

A tubular member composed of a tubular film and
An end face member provided at an axial end of the tubular member is provided.
The periphery of the end face member and the tubular member are joined via an annular joint portion.
The end face member is a tubular container having folds for extending in the radial direction when the tubular member is crushed in the radial direction intersecting the axis thereof. The tubular container according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a cylindrical shape. The tubular container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end face member is at least one of a top surface member and a bottom surface member. Claims 1 to 3 are characterized in that the folds are formed in a stepped shape so that the cross section of the end face member bends in one direction along the axis toward the inside in the radial direction. The tubular container according to any one of the above items. The folds are characterized in that the cross section of the end face member is formed in a zigzag shape so as to be bent alternately in one direction along the axis and in the opposite direction as the cross section of the end face member is directed inward in the radial direction. The tubular container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the region in contact with the joint, the fold has a convex portion extending in one direction along the axis and a central portion away from the joint as the cross section of the end face member extends inward in the radial direction. The tubular container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tubular container includes a concave portion curved in a direction opposite to the convex portion. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folds are formed in a cone shape in which the cross section of the end face member extends in one direction along the axis toward the inside in the radial direction. The tubular container described in the section.

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