JPH111268A - Discharge opening for bag-in-box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge opening for a bag-in-box which enables a fixed, steady filling operation even in the case requiring the prevention of the turn of a grommet when a cap is detached. SOLUTION: A bag-in-box has on its cylindrical part a guide rail groove 6 formed from upper and lower guide plate 4 and 5, and a chucking part 8 having a parallel plane or imaginary parallel plane capable of restricting at least the direction of a bag flow to a fixed direction. The discharge opening has such a structure that a grommet and a cap are spirally engaged, thereby fastening the cap. An inner ring 22, which closely contacts the inner angular part of the opening of the grommet, and a contact rib 23, which contacts the top face of the opening of the grommet, are formed on the inner face of the top plate of the cap. The chucking part is provided between a flange and a lower guide 5, and a projecting circular ring is formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spout of a bag-in-box filled with a liquid or a viscous substance such as food, industrial chemicals and ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bag-in-box is a packaging type in which a bag made of a relatively large flexible film is stored in, for example, an outer box made of cardboard, and is mainly used for liquids and viscous materials used for business purposes. It is often used for
In many cases, the pouch is bonded at a predetermined position with a pouring inlet (hereinafter, referred to as a pouring outlet) formed by a molded product for the purpose of pouring in the content. The feature of this bag-in-box is that, according to the use of the contents, the container (bag) is crushed by the atmospheric pressure while the bag is sealed, so that there is no need for air to flow into the container like a rigid container. . Therefore,
During the period from the beginning to the end of use of the contents, deterioration of the contents due to the atmosphere is prevented. In addition to the quality preservation characteristics of the contents, the packaging material after use is foldable, and the outer box (box) and inner bag (bag) can be separated, thus disposing after use. Is easy and
It is inexpensive as a packaging material per unit content. In the bag of the bag-in-box, there are a case where the bag is supplied to the filling machine as a bag for each unit and a case where the bag is supplied to the filling machine as a continuous bag in which each bag is continuously connected. Since it is automatically supplied at the time of filling, there is an advantage that the number of labors can be reduced as compared with the case of supply in the unit bag.

[0003] Examples of the structure of the spout in the bag-in-box include a grommet, an inner plug and a cap, or a grommet and a stopper-type cap. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view and S ₂ moiety of the prior art in the fitting state of the grommet and cap of the continuous bag-type bag-in-box, Figure 8, of another continuous bag-in-box according to the prior art it is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view and S ₃ portion in a fitted state of the grommet and cap. Both the inner plug h as shown in FIG. 8 and the cap C 'as shown in FIG. 7 are of the stopper type, and these inner plugs or caps are sealed by pressing from above. As described above, the sealing is merely performed by fitting, and in order to further enhance the sealing performance, an elastic inner plug h or cap C ′ having elasticity with respect to the rigidity of the grommet is often used. However, even with such a method, there are cases where sealing by tapping alone is not sufficient.
For this reason, in the case of using the inner plug, for example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, there is an example in which after the inner plug h is mechanically plugged, the cap C ″ is screwed by hand as a separate step. Conventionally, there has been no screw cap capable of continuous filling and sealing in a continuous bag type bag-in-box.
Further, in the case of conventional continuous filling, so-called airless filling has been performed in which the inside diameter of the grommet pouring inlet and the outside diameter of the filling nozzle are made the same and air is not mixed in during filling. However, when the filling nozzle is brought into close contact with the opening of the pouring inlet as described above, the contents may adhere to the opening. It was not a problem with the stopper type,
If a screw-type cap was used, the tip of the grommet would be dirty, and a reliable seal could not be obtained. For this reason, there was a case where it was tightened by hand again.

[0004]

In the bag-in-box, the grommet is securely set at a predetermined position of the filling portion and is chucked at the time of filling, and the cap is a screw cap type. Provided is a bag-in-box in which the grommet is fixed and a stable filling operation is possible even when it is necessary to prevent the grommet from rotating when detaching.

[0005]

A bag-in-box to which a spout comprising a combination of a grommet and a cap is attached, wherein the grommet is used to pour out a content and a flange portion bonded to an inner surface of a pouch. The cylindrical portion has a guide rail groove formed by two upper and lower guide plates, and a chuck having a parallel surface or an imaginary parallel surface that can be defined at least in a certain direction with respect to the flow direction of the bag. This is a spout of a bag-in-box provided with a king portion, and includes the following inventions. That is, the spout has a structure in which the grommet and the cap are screwed together, and an inner ring that is in close contact with the inner corner of the opening of the grommet on the inner surface of the top plate of the cap, and the opening of the grommet. Forming a contact rib in contact with the top surface; providing the chucking portion between the flange portion and the lower guide; and providing an annular ring protruding from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a bag-in-box, which enables reliable transport of a packaging material such as a continuous bag and fixing of a grommet at a predetermined position. A perforation or the like is provided between the bags made in a sealed and continuous state so that each bag can be separated one by one. The fixed position of each bag is a main object of the present invention. A spout having a structure that ensures reliable conveyance and chucking of the grommet portion to a fixed position is attached. In addition, the grommet has a structure that can be surely applied to a screw-type cap. FIG. 1 is a perspective view (a) showing an embodiment of a spout of a bag-in-box according to the present invention, an explanatory view (b) of the spout with a cap removed, and a cross-sectional view of a part X ₁ -X ₁ (c). ), Figure 2 is a front view in partial cross-section of the structure of a spout of the grommet according to the invention (a), X ₂ -X ₂ sectional _{view, (b), X 3 -X} 3
Sectional view (c), sectional view (d) of another shape of X ₃ -X ₃ ,
Figure 3 is a front view in partial cross-section of the structure of a cap of the spout according to the invention (a), enlarged view of S ₁ part (b), FIG. 4, according to the guide rail groove at the spout of the present invention front view illustrating an induced state (a), top view (b) 5, Note grommet fixed at the outlet, front view showing a state of inserting the filling nozzle of the present invention (a), X ₄ for explanation −
X ₄ and chucking portion of the grommet receiving part and the grommet of the filling machine shown in isolation in a perspective view as seen from the parts of FIG. (B), FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state during the filling of the grommet portion of the present invention It is.

In the case of the stopper cap C according to the prior art, since the stopper is fitted into the opening of the grommet G by pressing from above, it is not necessary to take special measures to prevent the grommet G from rotating. Did not. However, when a screw cap is used, the grommet G side needs a resistance against tightening torque or opening torque. That is, the grommet G needs to be surely chucked at a predetermined position in order to hold the grommet G in the rotation-prevented state. Therefore, in the present invention, the grommet G
A chucking portion 8 is formed between the flange 1 and the lower guide plate 5 so that the screw cap C can be securely screwed even when the screw cap C is used. The chucking portion 8 is fixed at least in a certain direction on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion forming the chucking portion so that the chucking portion 8 has a shape adapted to the structure of the grommet receiving portion when the contents are filled or the cap C is attached or detached. forming an imaginary parallel surface p ₀ by parallel planes p or ribs or the like which is. As shown in FIG. 2, the structure of the grommet G in the present invention has a flange 1 having an area which can be adhered to the inner surface of the bag B.
And a cylindrical portion 2 forming a liquid conduit portion when the contents are poured in and out from the center of the flange 1, and a tip portion of the cylindrical portion 2 is an opening 3 for pouring out and in the liquid. Two upper and lower guide plates 4 and 5 are provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion between the opening and the opening 3. Further, between the flange 1 and the lower guide plate 5 forms a chucking section 8 comprising a rib forming a parallel plane p or imaginary parallel planes p _0. further,
An annular ring 13 can be formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 2 if necessary.

The upper and lower guide plates 4 and 5 form a guide rail groove 6 for reliably transporting a continuous bag-type bag-in-box. Upper guide plate 4
The guide rail groove should be formed as deep as possible. However, it is desirable that the guide rail groove be circular as long as it does not interfere with the ring seal when the grommet is adhered to the bag. It is desirable to form a parallel piece for the purpose of setting, and for this purpose, for example, a hexagonal shape as shown in FIG. 2 is used. Providing the irregularities 10 on the outer periphery of the upper guide is effective as a slip prevention measure when the grommet G is provided.

A parallel plane p is formed on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion between the lower guide 5 and the flange 1. The shape of the outer wall of the cylinder is 4
A parallel plane can be obtained by forming an even polygon such as a corner or a hexagon or an octagon. Alternatively, a cylindrical portion having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 2E is provided, and a vertical rib-shaped portion 7 is provided between the lower portion of the lower guide 5 and the flange 1, and two outer peripheries of the vertical rib-shaped portion 7 are provided. two surfaces of the surface in contact with the surface may be a condition for forming an imaginary parallel surface p _0. Parallel surface p or imaginary parallel planes p ₀ obtained in this way is held between the grommet receiving part of the filling machine, reliable chucking is possible.

[0010] Depending on the type of the contents, an annular ring 13 protruding from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion can be provided. When filling the content, the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 32 is
3 allows airless filling without incorporation of air into the contents at the time of filling, and because the annular ring 13 is provided inside the opening 3 away from the contents, Filling can be performed without objects adhering. However, depending on the type of the contents, airless filling that does not contaminate the opening 3 can be similarly performed even by using the filling nozzle 32 provided with the annular ring 13 on the outer peripheral surface.

The knurls 10 can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper guide plate 4. However, the provision of the knurls 10 prevents the grommet G from slipping when the grommet G is held in the hand. Is easier to do.

It is desirable that the planar shape of the lower guide plate 5 has the same parallel as the parallel side of the chucking portion 8. The reason for this is that it functions effectively when the grommet G is oriented with respect to the flow of the bag during bag making,
When the chucking portion 8 of the grommet G is fixed in the chucking of the filling machine, the two sides of the lower guide plate 5 are also fixed together, so that more secure fixing is possible. If the parallel sides of the lower guide plate and the parallel surfaces of the chucking portions 8 have a parallel relationship, the parallel intervals need not be the same.

The bag used for the bag-in-box of the present invention is sometimes stored in a box and supplied in a continuous state. In this case, a flexible film F is used, and a grommet is previously attached to the film on one side. After the mounting holes are opened and the grommet G is mounted, the opposing films are overlapped, and four sides having a predetermined size are formed by heat sealing or the like. In this case, the film constituting the bag is generally made by stacking two or more films. In the present invention, after the bags are made, the bags for each unit are not cut off, but are kept in a continuous state, and a weakening line (hereinafter referred to as perforation 1) which is easy to separate between the bags.
2).

The most suitable material and thickness of the film F used in the bag B are selected in consideration of the kind of the contents, the filling amount, etc., in accordance with the flexibility, bending strength, barrier properties and the like. In particular, under the condition that the content is a liquid and is subjected to bending due to vibration for a long time, the film is likely to generate pinholes (micropores) due to bending fatigue thereof. Therefore, a film used under such conditions is selected from a material having tough properties. The resin constituting the film used for the bag-in-box includes low-density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, linear low-density polyethylene, ionomer, and ethylene-α-olefin copolymerized using a single-site catalyst. Polymers and the like can be mentioned. Further, a single layer of these resins may be used, or a multilayer film formed by coextrusion film formation may be used. When a multilayer film is formed, a high barrier resin such as a saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a polyvinyl alcohol resin can be used.

The film F constituting the bag B may be a multilayer film laminated by a normal laminating method. In this case, a metal foil such as an aluminum foil, polyester, polyamide, An unstretched or stretched film made of polyvinylidene chloride, polypropylene, or the like, or a film in which a metal such as aluminum, an oxide thereof, or an inorganic oxide such as silicon is deposited on these films can also be used. The film forming the bag of the bag-in-box is formed by a general film forming method, for example, a casting method using a T-die,
It can be obtained by an inflation method using a circular die. Further, the film may be a multi-layer film by co-extrusion.

The cap in the bag-in-box according to the present invention may be a stopper-type cap C, but is characterized in that it can be stably sealed even if it is crowned with a screw cap. When the screw cap according to the present invention is used, the inner ring 2 is attached to the top plate 20 of the cap C.
2 and a contact rib 23 are provided. When the cap C is tightened, the inner ring 22 is inscribed in the grommet opening 3 to perform a first liquid-tight function. Further, a contact rib 23 is provided outside the inner ring 22. The contact rib 23 also comes into contact with the top surface of the grommet opening 3 when the cap C is tightened,
It fulfills the function of the second liquid seal, and realizes more reliable sealing together with the inner ring. In addition, by providing the unevenness 24 on the outer peripheral surface of the cap according to the present invention, when the cap C is detached by hand, slipping on the outer surface of the cap C can be prevented, and the detachment can be facilitated.

The grommet G is formed by injection molding a plastic resin. The resin used for the grommet G is made of a material that does not affect the quality of the contents when in contact with the contents and does not deteriorate when contacting with the contents. Select a resin that can be adhered to the inner surface and has good moldability. Examples of the resin used for molding the grommet G include low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, linear low-density polyethylene, and ethylene-α-olefin polymerized using a single-site catalyst. Examples include polymers and ionomers.

The cap C is injection-molded using a plastic resin in the same manner as the grommet G. Examples of the resin used for molding the cap C include low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, linear low-density polyethylene, and ethylene-polymerized using a single-site catalyst.
In addition to resins used for molding grommet G such as α-olefin copolymers and ionomers, resins of polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyester and polyamide can be mentioned. It is desirable to select resins having different hardnesses from each other for forming the cap C and the grommet G. That is, when screwing, fitting, or the like, the combination having different hardnesses has an effect of improving the adhesion. For example, if the grommet G is a linear low-density polyethylene (hereinafter, referred to as L-LDPE) and the cap C is a spout made of polypropylene, the tight contact of the cap C is ensured. By providing unevenness on the outer surface of the skirt portion of the cap C, the cap C can be easily attached and detached by hand.

For example, as a method for manufacturing a continuous bag type bag-in-box, for example, two films for forming a bag from a film supply using a special bag-making machine are stacked (FIG. 1F).
_1, F ₂ ), and this film is subjected to circular punching for mounting a grommet. The molded product of the grommet G is supplied from the parts feeder, and the cylindrical portion 2 is projected outward from the lower portion of the punched portion, and the flange 1 of the grommet G and the inner surface of the film at the periphery of the punched portion are heat-bonded. Then, the grommet G is bonded to the film F. Next, the corresponding films are supplied as two sheets (F _3, F ₄ ), polymerized on the films (F ₁ , F ₂ ), and the four sides of the bags are heat-sealed 11 to form each bag. Is completed. A perforation 12 or the like is provided without cutting between the bags so that the bags can be easily separated.
The grommet G uses the chucking portion 8 to regulate the direction when the grommet G is supplied to a predetermined position from the parts feeder, and adheres the inner surface of the film to the flange 1 thereof. At that time, always attached to the bag B in the state of being held a certain angle between its parallel faces p or imaginary parallel surface p ₀ and the bag in the flow direction. As a specific angle, the parallel surface p or the imaginary parallel surface p ₀ of the chucking portion 8 of the grommet G is set to coincide with the flow direction of the bag B or set in a direction perpendicular to the flow, and thereafter, The filling step and the capping step become easy.

Since the guide rail groove 6 is formed,
When the bag-in-box is supplied to the filling machine, the guide rail 30 installed in the supply unit is inserted into the guide rail groove 6, and the bag is pulled in the direction of the filling machine. Then, the grommet G is chucked in the grommet receiving portion 31 of the filling machine. At this time, the grommet receiving part 31, the parallel plane p or imaginary parallel planes p ₀ of the grommet G, and securely clamped, to resist the tightening torque or unplugging torque required when the desorption of the cap C The screw cap can be securely attached and detached.

At the time of filling the liquid, if the opening 3 and the outer diameter of the nozzle are not close to each other, there is a problem since air is entrapped in the liquid content. In the conventional filling, airless filling is performed by a filling nozzle 32 having substantially the same diameter and brought into contact with the inner wall of the grommet G. In this case, the nozzle 32 and the opening 3 are used.
, And the contents may adhere to the opening of the spout depending on the contents liquid. Therefore, in the present invention,
The annular ring 13 is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the grommet G,
The filling nozzle 3 is provided on the annular ring 13 below the opening 3.
2 was brought into close contact and filled, so that the filling could be performed in a state where the contents were not attached to the opening 3. That is, airless filling was possible, and capping was possible in a state where the contents did not adhere to the opening 3. Also, an inner ring 2 is provided on the lower surface of the top plate of the cap C.
2, the cap C is more securely sealed by providing contact ribs 23 which are in close contact with the inner corners of the opening and which are in contact with the entire circumference of the top surface of the opening.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A bag was composed of two laminated films of L-LDPE // L-LDPE, each having a thickness of 60 μm. The size of the unit bag is 450mm x 450m
m, the filling amount of the content (sake) was 10 liters / bag, and the box (outer box) to be used was cardboard of a predetermined size. The inner diameter is 220mm × 230mm × 250m
m. The bags were 30 bags in a row. Perforations 12 were provided between the bags to facilitate separation of each bag. Grommet G was molded by injection molding using L-LDPE as the molding material. Its main dimensions were a flange diameter of 75 mm, a tube inner diameter of 30 mm, a wall thickness of the tube portion of 2 mm, and an upper guide plate 4 having a circular shape of 47 mm in diameter. The lower guide plate 5 was a regular hexagon having a distance of 45 mm between opposing sides, and a distance of 4 mm between the upper and lower guide plates. And
The depth of the formed guide rail groove is 7 mm from the outer peripheral portion of the upper guide plate 4. The projection ring provided on the inner wall of the cylinder
The projection is 1.5mm larger than the inner wall of the cylinder. At this time, the filling nozzle 32 has an outer diameter of 28 mm at a portion that comes into contact with the annular ring 13, and has a 45 ° taper between its tip and base to fill the inside of the annular ring 13. The tip of the nozzle 32 is easily inserted. As a result, the filling in the airless state was possible without contaminating the opening with the liquid of the contents. The chucking portion 8 has vertical ribs on the outside of the circular cylindrical portion, and 6
This was set, and the parallel portions of two parallel sides of the imaginary hexagon formed by the six ribs were set parallel to the flow direction of the bag. The cap C was formed by injection molding using a polypropylene resin. An inner ring 22 and a contact rib 23 were provided on the top plate of the cap, and each of the inner ring 22 and the contact rib 23 was inscribed in the opening 3 of the grommet or abutted on the top surface of the opening.

As the guide rail 30, a metal plate having a thickness of 3 mm is kept parallel at intervals of 35 mm and held at a length of 800 mm.
The tip is structured to abut the filling portion chucking portion 8. When the grommet G is fixed to the chucking portion 8, the guide rail is caught in the guide rail groove 6 of the next grommet G, and is ready to transport the bag B again. After the filling and the attachment of the cap C are completed, the filling unit chucking unit 8 opens the chucking arm so that the filled bag can be transported to the next position. In this manner, successive bag-in-boxes can be filled one after another, and are cut into individual unit bags by perforations 12 provided between the bags above the position where they are stored in the outer box.

[0024]

According to the present invention, the bag can be stably and automatically conveyed by inserting the guide rail of the filling system into the guide rail groove formed by the two guide plates 4 and 5 provided on the grommet G. it can. When bag-in-box is continuously made (each piece is joined at perforation)
The direction of the grommet G position can always be fixed to the flow direction of the bag, and further, it can be fixed in a fixed direction at the time of filling or detachment of the cap C at all times. Can provide resistance against the tightening or opening torque added to the attachment and detachment. Since the filling nozzle 32 can be in close contact with the annular ring 13 provided inside the grommet cylindrical portion 2, airless filling is possible and capping is possible without adhering the contents to the opening 3.

[Brief description of the drawings]

[1] The present invention perspective illustrating an embodiment of a spout of the bag-in-box according to Figure (a), illustration of spout when opening the cap (b), X ₁ -X ₁ part cross-sectional view (c )

Front view in partial cross-section of the structure of a grommet of the spout according to the invention, FIG (a), X ₂ -X ₂ cross section,
(B), X ₃ -X ₃ cross-sectional view (c), cross-sectional view of another form of X ₃ -X ₃ (d)

Front view in partial cross-section of the structure of a cap of the spout according to the present invention; FIG (a), S ₁ part enlarged view (b)

FIG. 4 is a front view (a) and a top view (b) showing a guide state by a guide rail groove at a spout of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a grommet fixed at the spout of the present invention;
Front view showing a state of inserting the filling nozzle (a), illustrated by separating the grommet receiving portion of the filling machine in a perspective view from X ₄ -X ₄ parts of the grommet of the chucking portion for explaining FIG. ( b)

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the time of filling the grommet portion of the present invention.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the spout of the bag-in-box according to the prior art (a), enlarged view of S ₂ (b)

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another spout of the bag-in-box according to the prior art (a), enlarged view of S ₃ (b)

[Explanation of symbols]

 B Bag G Grommet C Cap F Film p Parallel plane h Inner plug 1 Flange 2 Tube part 3 Opening 4 Upper guide plate 5 Lower guide plate 6 Guide rail groove 7 Vertical rib 8 Chucking part 9 Screw 10 Upper guide plate Irregularities provided on the side surface 11 Bag seal portion 12 Perforation 13 Annular ring 20 Top plate 21 Skirt portion 22 Inner ring 23 Contact rib 24 Cap irregularities 25 Cap screw thread 30 Guide rail 31 Grommet receiving portion 32 Filling nozzle

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A spout for a bag-in-box comprising a combination of a grommet and a cap, wherein the grommet is formed from a flange portion bonded to an inner surface of the bag and a cylindrical portion for discharging contents. The cylindrical portion has a guide rail groove formed by two upper and lower guide plates, and a chucking portion having at least a parallel surface or an imaginary parallel surface that can be defined in a certain direction with respect to the flow direction of the bag. An outlet for a bag-in-box that is provided. 2. The spout has a structure in which a grommet and a cap are mounted by screwing, and the cap comprises a top plate and a skirt portion hanging from the periphery thereof, and the grommet is provided on a lower surface of the top plate. 2. The spout of a bag-in-box according to claim 1, wherein an inner ring which is in close contact with the inner corner of the opening and a contact rib which is in contact with a top surface of the opening of the grommet are formed. 3. The spout of a bag-in-box according to claim 1, wherein the chucking portion is provided between the flange portion and the lower guide. 4. The spout of a bag-in-box according to claim 1, wherein an annular ring protruding from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion is provided.