JP2826305B2 - Sealing method for retort pouch with suction pipe - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe filled with beverages such as sports drinks and soups.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of research and development of packaging materials and the development of sterilization technology, foods and drinks such as meat products, juices and marine products have been packed in plastic film or aluminum foil laminated bags. The use of hermetically sealed, pressurized and heat-sterilized retort foods has become widespread, expanding the range of demand.

[0003] Generally, a container for packaging this kind of retort food is called a retort pouch, in which a film of polyester or the like as an outer layer, an aluminum foil as an intermediate layer, and a polyolefin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene as an inner layer are laminated and bonded. (laminate)
This is made into a bag. The retort pouch is, for example, a retort pouch filled with soft drinks such as juices and sports drinks, and drinks such as soup, miso soup, and juice powder, and ingesting these retort drinks through a plastic suction pipe.

[0004] In order to seal such a retort pouch with a suction pipe, a heat fusion method utilizing the property that plastic is fused by heat is used. Conventionally, this type of retort pouch with a suction pipe is sealed as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the suction pipe 2 is inserted into the retort pouch 1 from the pouch opening 1a by an arrow a.
6 by inserting a part of the inserted portion and the opening edge 1b of the retort pouch 1 between upper and lower heater plates 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 5, and then applying heat and pressure as shown in FIG. Fused.

4 to 6, a retort pouch denoted by reference numeral 1 is formed of a three-layer retort pouch made of a plastic film such as polyester as an outer layer, an aluminum foil as an intermediate layer, and a plastic film such as polyethylene as an inner layer. .

The suction pipe denoted by reference numeral 2 has a suction part 5, a straw part 6, and a suction pipe mounting part 7, and is entirely formed of a plastic such as polypropylene. The suction part 5 and the straw part 6 are formed by circular pipes that open in both axial directions and have different pipe diameters. The pipe diameter of the suction part 5 is set to be larger than the pipe diameter of the straw part 6. The length of the suction section 5 is
Is set to a dimension smaller than the pipe length. After the retort pouch is sealed, a part of the suction part 5 is exposed outside the retort pouch 1, and a part of the straw part 6 faces the inside of the retort pouch 1.

[0008] On the outer peripheral surface of the suction portion 5, reinforcing portions 8, 9 facing each other and a screw portion (not shown) for screwing a cap (not shown) for opening and closing the suction portion 5 are integrally formed. It is provided in.

The suction pipe mounting portion 7 is formed by a flat ring-shaped body including two arc portions 7a and 7b facing each other and two connection portions 7c and 7d connected to both sides of the two arc portions 7a and 7b. ing. The straw part 6 is inserted through the suction pipe attachment part 7. On the outer surface of the suction pipe mounting part 7, there are provided a plurality of protrusions 10 for preventing the suction pipe from coming off and extending over the arc parts 7a, 7b and the connection parts 7c, 7d. When the retort pouch 1 is sealed, the suction pipe mounting portion 7 contacts the inside of the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch 1 and is melted together with the opening periphery 1b.

In FIG. 5, a first pouch, which is fitted to the upper and lower heater plates indicated by reference numerals 3 and 4 through the opening edge 1b of the retort pouch 1, is fitted to the outer surface of the suction pipe mounting portion 7. Notches 11, 12 having contact surfaces 11a, 12a and each of these notches 1
Second pouch contact surfaces 13 and 14 connected to the first and second pouch contact surfaces 11a and 12a are formed. Thereby, when the retort pouch is sealed, the first pouch contact surface 1
The opening peripheral edge 1b of the retort pouch 1 contacts the first and second pouch contact surfaces 13 and 14, and the suction pipe mounting portion 7 has the retort pouch 1 in the notches 11 and 12.
Through the opening edge 1b.

The upper and lower heater plates 32,
Heating at about 100-200 ° C according to 42;
The suction pipe mounting portion 7 and the central portion of the opening edge 1b of the retort pouch 1 are fused and the both sides of the opening edge 1b are fused. In this case, since the suction pipe 2 is thicker than the inner and outer plastic layers of the retort pouch 1, a large amount of heat is required for melting.

[0012]

However, in the conventional method of sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe, the heat from the heaters 3 and 4 is directly transmitted to the opening edge 1b of the retort pouch 1. In addition, since the heat is indirectly transmitted to the suction pipe mounting portion 7 through the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch 1, most of the heater heat by the heater plates 3 and 4 is radiated to the atmosphere from the pouch middle layer (aluminum foil). As a result, the heat from the heaters 3 and 4 was not effectively used.

Therefore, if the heating temperature is set to a high temperature, the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch 1 is melted more than necessary before the suction pipe mounting portion 7 is melted. For this reason,
The heating temperature of the heater plates 3 and 4 must be set to a temperature low enough that the plastic film on the periphery 1b of the opening of the retort pouch is not melted more than necessary. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time to melt the tube mounting portion 7. As a result, the number of retort pouches with suction pipes produced by the conventional method was about several per minute.

In addition, due to the above circumstances, since heat cannot be sufficiently applied to the suction pipe mounting portion 7, the melting of the suction pipe 2 becomes insufficient. As a result, the opening of the retort pouch 1 In many cases, it did not fuse sufficiently to the periphery of the part, causing poor sealing, often causing liquid leakage of the beverage.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and increases the melting temperature of the suction pipe mounting portion of the suction pipe by the heater plate, and shortens the suction pipe mounting portion by preventing heat radiation of the heater heat. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe, which melts in a time to increase production efficiency and prevents liquid leakage by preventing poor sealing.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe, wherein the suction pipe mounting portion of the suction pipe for the retort beverage is heated by a heater. A step of heating and melting, and a step of inserting a part of the suction pipe from the pouch opening into a retort pouch for filling a retort beverage while maintaining the molten state of the suction pipe mounting section; Of the retort pouch and the central portion of the opening edge of the retort pouch are sandwiched by a heater plate for heat welding, and both sides of the opening peripheral edge of the retort pouch are sandwiched by the heater plates for heat fusion. And a step of performing Therefore, the suction pipe mounting portion can be heated by the heater at a high temperature, and all the heat of the heater is directly transmitted to the suction pipe mounting portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to the first aspect, the heating temperature at the time of melting the suction pipe mounting portion is set at the time of fusing the opening periphery of the retort pouch. Is set higher than the heating temperature in the above.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe described,
When the suction tube mounting portion is heated and melted, a concave and convex portion for preventing the suction tube from coming off from the retort pouch is formed integrally with the suction tube mounting portion and a central portion of the opening periphery of the retort pouch. . According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to the third aspect, the uneven portion is formed by a convex portion and / or a concave portion provided on the heater plate. . Therefore, when the suction pipe mounting portion and the retort pouch are thermally melted, an uneven portion is formed on the outer surface of the suction pipe mounting portion.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe before sealing in a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the retort pouch with. The same members as those in FIGS. 4 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the notch 1 of the upper heater plate 31
The suction pipe mounting portion 7 faces the cutout 121 of the lower heater plate 41 and the lower heater plate 41, and the upper heater plate 31 and the lower heater plate 41 are moved in the approaching direction to operate the suction pipe 2 by the two heater plates 31 and 41. The suction pipe mounting part 7 is clamped. At this time, the upper heater plate 31
The second pouch contact surface 131 and the second pouch contact surface 141 of the lower heater plate 41 face each other,
The suction pipe mounting part 7 faces the first pouch contact surfaces 111a, 121a facing the notches 111, 121.

Next, the suction pipe mounting portion 7 of the suction pipe 2 is heated by the two heater plates 31 and 41. At this time, the heating temperature of each heater plate 31, 41 is
Although it depends on the relationship with the heating time, the temperature is usually set to about 120 to 400 ° C. so that the surface of the suction pipe mounting portion 7 made of polypropylene can be melted in a short time. Here, if the heating temperature of the heater plates 31 and 41 is lower than 120 ° C., it takes a long time to melt the suction pipe mounting part 7, and if it is higher than 400 ° C., the suction pipe mounting part 7 is melted more than necessary. Of course, if the material of the suction pipe 2 changes,
It is natural to change the heating temperature and the heating time. In addition, as a heater for melting the suction pipe mounting portion 7, various heaters using a laser, infrared rays, or the like can be used in addition to those shown in the figure.

Next, a part of the straw portion 6 of the suction pipe 2 is indicated by an arrow A from the pouch opening 1a in the retort pouch 1 positioned at a predetermined position while maintaining the molten state of the suction pipe mounting section 7. Insert in the direction.

Thereafter, the suction tube mounting portion 7 and the central portion of the opening edge 1b of the retort pouch 1 in the insertion portion of the straw portion 6 into the retort pouch 1 are sandwiched between the heater plates 32 and 42 and pressurized. Heating / pressing is performed by sandwiching both sides of the opening peripheral edge 1b between the two heater plates 32 and 42. At this time, the suction pipe mounting portion 7 that has been melted first is brought into contact with the first pouch contact surface 1 via the central portion of the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch 1.
Since it is pressed by 12a and 122a, the center of the opening peripheral edge 1b of the retort pouch 1 and the suction pipe mounting portion 7 are fused.

The heating temperature of each of the heater plates 32 and 42 depends on the relationship with the heating time.
The temperature is set to 00 to 200 ° C., and both sides of the opening periphery 1 b of the retort pouch 1 are the second pouch contact surfaces 132 and 142
, The opening edge 1 of the retort pouch 1
b The inner layers on both sides are fused. In this way, the retort pouch with the suction pipe in the present embodiment is securely sealed. Here, if the heating temperature of the heater plates 32 and 42 is lower than 100 ° C., the melting of the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch becomes insufficient. If the heating temperature is higher than 200 ° C., the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch melts too much, and both are sealed. Failure to do so will occur.

According to the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe of this embodiment, the number of products produced is several tens per minute, which is approximately several tens per minute in the conventional sealing method. Increase significantly.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in which irregularities are formed in the suction pipe mounting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a heater for forming irregularities on the suction pipe mounting portion, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a suction tube-equipped retort pouch having irregularities on the suction pipe mounting portion.

In FIG. 2, a first pouch contact surface 112 as a cutout surface of heater plates 32 and 42 is shown.
A plurality of convex portions 212 and 222 for forming the concave-convex portion 10 are provided on a and 122a (the convex portions provided on the heater plate 32 are not shown). When the retort pouch with a suction pipe is sealed by using such a heater plate, the retort pouch is attached to the outer surface of the suction pipe mounting section 7 when the suction pipe mounting section 7 is sandwiched between the two heater plates 32 and 42 to be heated and melted. An uneven portion 10 for preventing the suction tube 2 from coming off from the pouch 1 can be integrally formed. In addition, the suction pipe mounting portion 7 and the opening periphery 1b of the retort pouch 1
Are fused in a state having irregularities, so that the affinity between the retort pouch 1 and the suction pipe 2 can be further enhanced.

The uneven portion 10 can also be formed by providing a concave portion or an uneven portion on the first pouch contact surfaces of the heater plates 32 and 42.
In addition, the step of forming the uneven portion 10 may be a separate step from the step of fusing the suction pipe mounting section 7 and the retort pouch 1.

Further, in each embodiment, a plastic film such as polyester is used as an outer layer of the retort pouch 1, an aluminum foil and a plastic film such as polyethylene are used as an inner layer, and a plastic tube such as polypropylene is used as a suction pipe 2. However, needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the suction pipe mounting portion is sufficiently heated and melted by the heater, and then a part of the suction pipe is inserted into the retort pouch. The fusion of the retort pouch with the center of the opening periphery and the fusion of both sides of the retort pouch with the opening periphery make it possible to attach and seal the suction pipe in a short period of time, and also cause poor sealing. Can be prevented.

Further, when the suction pipe mounting portion is fused with the retort pouch, irregularities can be simultaneously formed in the fused portion, so that sealing with improved retaining ability can be achieved in a short time. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe before sealing in a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe after sealing in a method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe sealed by the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe before sealing in a conventional method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe after sealing in a conventional method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a retort pouch with a suction pipe after sealing in a conventional method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Retort pouch 1a Pouch opening 1b Opening periphery 2 Suction pipe 5 Suction part 6 Straw part 7 Suction pipe mounting part 31, 32 Upper heater plate 41, 42 Lower heater plate

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A step of heating and melting a suction pipe mounting portion of a suction pipe of a retort beverage by a heater, and inserting the melted suction pipe mounting portion into a retort pouch for filling a retort beverage from a pouch opening thereof. Inserting the suction pipe mounting portion and the center of the opening perimeter of the retort pouch of the insertion portion by means of a heater plate and fusing the same, and fixing both sides of the opening periphery of the retort pouch to the two heater plates. And a step of heat-sealing the retort pouch with a suction pipe. 2. A retort with a suction pipe according to claim 1, wherein a heating temperature at the time of melting the suction pipe mounting portion is set higher than a heating temperature at the time of fusing the periphery of the opening of the retort pouch. Pouch sealing method. 3. When heating and melting the suction pipe mounting portion,
2. An uneven portion for preventing the suction pipe from coming off from the retort pouch is formed integrally with the suction pipe mounting portion and a central portion of an opening edge of the retort pouch.
Or the method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to 2 above. 4. The method for sealing a retort pouch with a suction pipe according to claim 3, wherein the formation of the uneven portion is performed by a convex portion and / or a concave portion provided on the heater plate.