Patent Application
20140238543
The present invention relates to funnel components for use in packaging containers in which fluid substances such as powdery, granular, and liquid substances are packaged and by which the contents are transferred from one case to another case or the like, and packaging containers in which the funnel components are used.
In general, powdery or granular food such as instant coffee is sold in a state where the food is packaged in a high-hermetically sealed packaging container such as a capped bottle so as to maintain a sealed state during storage or the like. As such a packaging container, a packaging container, for refilling, which can facilitate transfer of contents is suggested in Patent Literature 1. When the contents are transferred from the packaging container to a storage container or the like, the packaging container is opened and put in an opening portion of the storage container, to gradually transfer the contents.
The packaging container disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a cylindrical container body, a funnel component, a sealing lid, and a covering cap. The funnel component includes a funnel portion, and a side wall portion connected with an end portion, on a wide opening side, of the funnel portion. The side wall portion is fitted into the container body, and joined to an inner surface of the container body. The funnel portion has such a shape as to reduce its diameter toward an outer side of an opening portion of the container body. Further, an edge, on a narrow opening side, of the funnel portion and an edge of an open end of the container body are coplanar with each other. The container body is filled with contents, and the edge of the open end of the container body is sealed with the sealing lid. In the sealing lid, a plurality of perforation lines are formed so as to extend radially from the center of the sealing lid. Further, the covering cap for covering the top of the sealing lid during storage, circulation, or the like is mounted to prevent the sealing lid from being cut.
When contents in the packaging container are transferred for refilling, the covering cap is removed from the packaging container, and the sealing lid is put and pressed into an opening of a case to be refilled with the contents. Thus, the sealing lid is cut along the perforation lines, whereby the contents can be easily transferred through the funnel component.
In the packaging container, since sealing between the funnel component and a membrane is not performed, a problem arises that the contents are moved onto the outer side of the funnel component through a gap between the funnel component and the membrane during transportation or the like. In a case where the contents are transferred from a package for refilling to a storage container or the like in a state where the contents have been moved onto the outer side of the funnel component, the contents having been moved onto the outer side of the funnel component are not transferred to a case, such as the storage container, to be refilled, and may scatter (externally) on the outside of the case to be refilled. Therefore, the contents are spilled on/around a refilling work space such as a table, and clearing such as cleaning is necessary. Therefore, in Patent Literature 3, it is suggested that an end portion, on a narrow opening side, of the funnel component projects outward of an open end of the container body such that the membrane and the end portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component are maintained so as to be in close contact with each other, thereby preventing the movement of the contents (see, for example, FIG. 9 of Patent Literature 3).
Such a packaging container may be subjected to an environment where air pressure inside the packaging container becomes different from air pressure outside the packaging container during circulation. In a case where, for example, packaging containers that are filled with contents in summer in which the temperature is high are in shops in winder in which the temperature is low, air pressure inside the packaging containers is reduced relative to air pressure outside the packaging containers, and the side surface portions of the packaging containers are recessed toward the inside of the packaging containers. Therefore, a problem may arise that the design of the packaging containers is degraded. On the other hand, in a case where, for example, packaging containers that are filled with contents in a place such as a flat land in which the altitude is relatively low, are circulated and placed in a place in which the altitude is high, air pressure inside the packaging containers is increased relative to air pressure outside the packaging containers, and the side surface portions of the packaging containers expand outward of the packaging containers. Therefore, problems may arise that the design of the packaging containers is degraded and contents are ejected due to, for example, breakage caused by a small impact. In order to solve the problems, a container is suggested in which a laminated member of the side surface portion of the container is formed so as to be partially separable, and, particularly when an internal pressure is reduced, an inner layer of the laminated member is separated and expanded toward the inside of the container, to alleviate reduction of pressure in the container, thereby preventing the side surface portion of the container from being recessed (see, for example, Patent Literature 4).
To date, funnel components have been formed by using resin. However, from the viewpoint of environmental issues, usage of plastics, aluminium foils, and the like is preferably to be reduced for resource saving, and paper, instead of aluminium, needs to be used as main materials of the container bodies, the sealing lids, the funnel components, and the like.
However, when the funnel component is formed by a sheet member containing paper being subjected to pressing process, a problem arises that a strength becomes insufficient. It is effective that the end portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component projects as described above in order to prevent contents from moving onto the outer side of the funnel component. Therefore, it is considered that, also when the funnel component made of paper is used, the end portion on the narrow opening side is formed so as to project from the container body. However, before contents are packaged, a plurality of packaging containers in which the funnel components are mounted to the container bodies are stacked so as to sandwich plate members, and stored. Therefore, when the paper funnel components project from the container bodies, the funnel components are likely to be buckled due to load applied through the plate members. Further, shapes formed by press work are limited, and shaping of the funnel components is difficult. On the other hand, when the funnel components are formed by a pulp molding method, although a strength is obtained, problems arise that cost for introducing facilities is high, and mass productivity is disadvantageous. Further, an optimal projection for paper funnel components is not clearly known.
Further, to the packaging containers, sticker labels, for indicating information or representing design, on which, for example, a trade name, an opening method, explanation of usage of contents and the like, and advertisement for sales promotion are indicated, are often adhered.
In the packaging container disclosed in Patent Literature 5, the sealing lid is pressed and expanded outward of the packaging container by an end portion of the funnel component.
When the sticker label 901 is adhered along a shape of a surface of the sealing lid 1960 that is expanded, the circumferential edge portion of the sticker label 901 is folded and gathered, to be crinkled, whereby appearance is spoiled. A portion of the circumferential edge portion of the sticker label 901 is lifted from the sealing lid 1960, and a gap, called lifting, may be generated between the sticker label 901 and the sealing lid 1960, whereby adhesion may become insufficient. As described above, when a sticker label is adhered to a non-flat surface, in particular, when a circular sticker label is adhered to a concentrically expanded or recessed surface, crinkling or insufficient adhesion may occur. Therefore, it is difficult to adhere a sticker label to such a surface to indicate information and represent design thereon.
In a case where, for example, a circular expansion having a height that is greater than or equal to 1 mm is included in the sealing lid 1960 having a diameter that is greater than or equal to 50 mm, and is not greater than 100 mm, when a sticker label that is formed by using synthetic paper as a main component and has a thickness that is greater than or equal to 50 μm and not greater than 100 μm, is adhered, crinkles are likely to occur. When a sticker label having a thickness greater than 100 μm is adhered, lifting is likely to occur. In a case where a sticker label is formed by using a stretchable material, when the sticker label is adhered with an adhesion surface being flat, crinkles or lifting can be reduced. However, when it is difficult to obtain a flat state as in the sealing lid 1960, reduction in crinkle and lifting is difficult.
An object of the present invention is to provide, at low cost, a funnel component that is formed by using paper as a main material, that maintains a strength sufficient for reducing deformation such as buckled state caused by, for example, load applied during storage, circulation, refilling, and the like, and that addresses environmental issues by, for example, reducing usage of aluminium foils.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging container in which a funnel component formed by using paper as a main material is fitted into a container body, in which contents can be effectively prevented from moving onto an outer surface side of the funnel component, and in which resistance to buckling is also exhibited during storage.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide, at low cost, a sealing lid, for use in the packaging container, which is less likely to be cut during storage, circulation, or the like, and which addresses environmental issues.
Still another object of the present invention is to allow the sealing lid to prevent contents from spilling through perforation lines, and prevent excessive enhancement of cutting strength with which the sealing lid is cut along the perforation lines.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a packaging container that does not degrade design such as an outer appearance even when internal pressure is changed relative to external pressure.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sticker label that is less likely to generate crinkles or lifting even when such a packing container includes a non-flat surface and the sticker label is adhered to the non-flat surface.
The present invention is directed to a funnel component that is fitted into a cylindrical container body having an open end, a bottom portion, and a side wall, and that forms a packaging container. The funnel component includes: a funnel portion having a diameter that is increased from a narrow opening side toward a wide opening side; a tubular discharge portion that connects with an end portion on the narrow opening side; and a cylindrical side wall portion that surrounds an opening portion, on the wide opening side, of the funnel, connects with the funnel portion, and is fitted into the container body. The funnel, the discharge portion, and the side wall portion are integrally formed by using a sheet member including paper and a sealant layer. A folded portion formed by the sheet member being folded back and welded over an entire circumference is provided at an opening portion of the discharge portion.
The present invention is also directed to a packaging container that includes: a cylindrical container body having an open end, a bottom portion, and a side wall; a funnel component which is fitted into the container body such that a narrow opening side portion is directed toward an open end side of the container body; and a sealing lid that seals the open end of the container body, and is cut by an external pressing force.
An opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component preferably projects from a plane of the container body including the open end of the container body, and a projecting distance is preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.
Further, the sealing lid preferably includes: a lower film that has a circumferential edge portion which is sealed to an opening portion of the container body to seal the container body, that has the perforation lines that are provided in a center portion other than the circumferential edge portion so as to radially extend, and that is to be cut by being externally pressed; and an upper film that is adhered to the lower film over the entire circumference of the circumferential edge portion of the lower film and in at least one adhesion region that is partially formed in a region which does not include the perforation lines of the center portion, such that the upper film is separable from the lower film.
An upper film may be adhered to the lower film over the entire circumference of the circumferential edge portion of the lower film and in at least one adhesion region that is partially formed in a region which includes the perforation lines of the center portion, such that the upper film is separable from the lower film.
Further, in the container body, a rigidity of the side wall is preferably higher than a rigidity of the bottom portion, and a plurality of ruled lines are preferably provided on an outer surface portion of the bottom portion so as to radially extend as viewed from a center portion of the bottom portion.
Further, the packaging container may further include a sticker label having, in a part of a circumferential edge portion, a plurality of recesses each formed in a curved line in a planer shape, and the sticker label may be adhered to a surface of the sealing lid, which forms an outer side of the packaging container.
According to the present invention, a funnel component that is formed by using paper as a main material and has strength can be provided at low cost.
Further, according to the present invention, an opening portion, on a narrow opening side, of a funnel portion projects from an open end of a container body, whereby contents can be prevented from moving onto an outer side of the funnel component in a state where the contents are packaged and the container body is sealed with a sealing lid. Further, projection of the funnel portion is optimized for paper funnel components, whereby the funnel components can be prevented from being irreversibly deformed when packaging containers are stacked and stored, for example, before contents are packaged.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, a sealing lid, of a packaging container, which is less likely to be cut during storage, circulation, or the like, can be provided. Further, such a sealing lid can prevent contents from spilling through perforation lines, and prevent excessive enhancement of cutting strength with which the sealing lid is cut along the perforation lines.
Moreover, according to the present invention, a packaging container that does not degrade design even when internal pressure is changed relative to external pressure, can be provided. Namely, rigidity of a bottom portion of the packaging container is set so as to be lower than rigidity of a side surface portion, and a plurality of ruled lines that radially extend as viewed from the center portion of the bottom portion are provided, whereby the rigidity of the bottom portion is further reduced. Therefore, even when pressure inside the packaging container is changed relative to external pressure, the bottom portion projects or is recessed to reduce change in pressure, and design such as an outer appearance of the packaging container may not be degraded. In particular, the center portion of the bottom portion is caused to project outward of the packaging container in advance. Therefore, even when pressure inside the packaging container in which contents are packaged is reduced relative to external pressure, the bottom portion having a relatively low rigidity is recessed inward of the packaging container to alleviate reduction in pressure in the container, whereby the side surface portion of the packaging container or the like is not recessed, and design such as an outer appearance of the side surface portion is not degraded. Further, a non-sealed portion is provided at an upper end of a fixing portion which is an outer edge portion of a bottom member forming the bottom portion, whereby stress is prevented from being concentrated on a portion near the outer edge of the bottom portion when the bottom portion is recessed inward, and no crinkles are generated near the outer edge and design of the bottom portion may not be degraded.
Further, according to the present invention, when a sticker label is adhered to the sealing lid, the width of the recesses at a circumferential edge portion of the sticker label is reduced, whereby generation of crinkles or lifting can be reduced.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The funnel component 101 is integrally formed by using a sheet member including paper and a sealant layer, and includes a funnel portion 102, a discharge portion 103, and a side wall portion 104. A material of the sheet member is, for example, PE (polyethylene), paper, and PE which form a laminated structure. The funnel portion 102 has a circular truncated cone shape in which the diameter is reduced from a wide opening side toward a narrow opening side. An opening 105, that is, one of openings of the funnel component 101 is formed on the wide opening side. The discharge portion 103 is connected on the narrow opening side. The discharge portion 103 has a cylindrical shape, and has an opening portion 106, that is, the other of the openings of the funnel component 101. The side wall portion 104 has a cylindrical shape in which the diameter is almost uniform, surrounds the outer surface of the funnel portion 102, and is connected with the circumferential edge around the opening 105.
In the discharge portion 103, a folded portion 206 is formed by a portion of the sheet member being folded back inward. The folded portion 206 is welded to another portion of the sheet member of the discharge portion 103. The folded portion 206 allows enhancement of a strength at the opening portion 106. Further, a plurality of ruled lines 107 are provided on the funnel portion 102 and the discharge portion 103. The ruled lines 107 extend radially along lines of intersections between the funnel component 101 and planes including the central axis of the funnel component 101. Each of the ruled lines 107 is welded in a state where the ruled lines are squeezed to have recesses buried as described below. Thus, strength is enhanced in the entirety of the funnel component 101.
As shown in a partially enlarged portion in (b) of
A sector-shaped blank material by which the funnel component 101 is formed is formed by a sheet member in which paper and resins are layered being punched by using a die. The blank material is rolled to overlay and seal linear side edge portions onto each other, thereby temporarily forming a circular-truncated-cone-shaped intermediate product. Thereafter, the intermediate product is subjected to drawing process to form each part of the funnel component 101. The blank material has the plurality of ruled lines 107 as shown in (a) of
The enhancement of the strength as described above prevents deformation of the funnel component 101 when the funnel component 101 is mounted to the container body 120, or during storage and usage (when the contents are transferred to a storage container) after the contents 150 are packaged. For example, during storage, a state where a position of the edge of the opening portion 106 of the discharge portion 103 is lowered to generate a gap at a contact portion with the sealing lid 160, and the contents 150 are moved through the gap onto the outer side of the funnel component 101, can be prevented. Further, by the ruled lines 107 being squeezed, when the contents 150 are transferred to a storage container, the contents 150 are prevented from being caught and left in the ruled lines 107. As a material of the sheet member, a sealant layer in which a thermoplastic resin or a hot-melt adhesive is used for one of or both of an outermost layer and an innermost layer, may be used. Further, the sheet member may not include paper.
As shown in (a) of
When the sealing lid 160 is cut by an opening member 713 of the tank 710, the center portion of a rubber member 712 that covers the tank 710 is pressed and widened by the discharge portion 103 of the packaging container 100 as shown in (b) of
However, when the packaging container 100 is pressed and inserted in the state shown in (a) of
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
In the forming process for the funnel component 301, when a narrow opening side portion of a circular-truncated-cone-shaped intermediate product is folded back such that the taper angle is greater than or equal to about 10°, a difference between a circumferential length of a folding line portion and a circumferential length of a portion near the edge of the sheet member is increased, and this difference cannot be absorbed by elongation of the sheet member. Therefore, when folding-back is performed, the edge of the folded portion may be cut due to a high tensile force being applied along the circumferential direction.
On the other hand, in the folded portion 406 of the present embodiment, high tensile force is not applied to peak portions (portions that are far from a folding position that is the edge of the opening portion 106) of the corrugated line during folding-back. Further, in valley portions of the corrugated line, stress is likely to be dispersed as compared to a case where slits that are cut portions having acute angles are provided. Therefore, cut is less likely to be generated, whereby degradation in quality as described above can be prevented. Therefore, in the present embodiment, folding-back and welding processes for the folded portion 406 can be performed prior to processes of forming the discharge portion 103 and removing the taper.
Further, high resisting force is not applied to an inward curling die used for forming the folded portion 406, from the edge of the folded portion 406, whereby the folding-back process can be performed by low pressing pressure. Therefore, manufacturing failure where portions other than the folding lines are bent to buckle the funnel component 301 can be reduced even when little fluid paraffin is applied for improving slidability of the die and the sheet member,
A funnel component 501 of the third embodiment is different from the funnel components of the first and second embodiments in shapes of the funnel portion and the side wall portion. In the below description, the same components as described for the first or the second embodiment are not described.
A funnel portion 502 is tapered so as to have a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis, and includes a first tapered portion 512 on the wide opening side, and a second tapered portion 522 that is closer to the narrow opening than the first tapered portion 512 is. A taper angle θ2 of the second tapered portion 522 is greater than a taper angle θ1 of the first tapered portion 512. Further, a discharge portion 503 is tapered so as to have a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis, and has a taper angle represented as θ3. As in the first embodiment, θ3 is preferably set so as to range from 0° to 15°. Further, as shown in
The funnel component 501 formed as described above is mounted in the container body 120 as shown in
In a process of forming the funnel component 501, in a case where the edge portion, on the wide opening side, of a circular-truncated-cone-shaped intermediate product is simply folded back to form the side wall portion, warping occurs at the top end of the side wall portion due to difference in circumferential length between a folding portion (namely, a connection portion between the side wall portion and the funnel portion) and the top end of the side wall portion, as shown in
On the other hand, in the funnel component 501 of the third embodiment, the side wall portion 504 has a corrugated horizontal cross-sectional shape, and thus a difference of the circumferential length of the side wall portion 504 as described above can be absorbed, and warping of the top end of the side wall portion 504 can be reduced. Further, since the side wall portion 504 having the corrugated shape is stretchable, the outer diameter of the side wall portion 504 is designed so as to be slightly less than the inner diameter of the container body 120, and the side wall portion 504 is pressed and widened when joined, thereby enabling prevention of friction occurring when the funnel component 501 is inserted into the container body 120.
As shown in
An exemplary case is assumed where the funnel component 501 that was 45 mm high, and had an outer diameter of 94 mm on the wide opening side and an outer diameter of 64 mm on the narrow opening side, was formed by using a sheet in which polyethylene layers having a thickness of 30 μm were layered on both sides of a sheet of paper having a basis weight of 300 g/m2 (thickness was 350 μm). In this case, even when the funnel component 501 was deformed so as to change the height by 3 mm (a load of 120 N was applied to the end of the discharge portion of the funnel component), no buckling occurred.
The funnel component 501 is joined to the inner portion of the container body 120 such that the open end of the discharge portion 503 slightly projects from the container body 120 outward of the plane including the edge of the open end of the container body 120, as shown in
The funnel component of the third embodiment may include a side wall portion having a corrugated horizontal cross-section that is formed by embossing process.
A funnel component 701 of the fourth embodiment includes the same funnel portion and discharge portion as described for the funnel component 501 of the third embodiment, and includes a side wall portion 704 which is different from the side wall portion of the third embodiment. The side wall portion 704 is formed by the end portion, on the wide opening side, of the opening portion being folded back outward, and the side wall portion 704 has a plurality of ruled lines 707 that extend parallel to the central axis of the funnel portion.
In a process step of forming the side wall portion 704, the folded portion on the wide opening side is drawn by using a die, whereby the folded portion is compressed in the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the side wall portion 704 is designed so as to be less than the inner diameter of the container body, as a result of the drawing process, before the funnel component 701 is mounted to the container body. After the funnel component 701 is inserted into the container body, the side wall portion 704 is pressed and widened by using a die, and welded to the inner surface of the container body. In a case where the ruled lines 707 are provided, and expanded and contracted at the side wall portion 704 as described above, when a sealant on the outer surface of the side wall portion 704 is melted and insertion in to the container body is performed, generation of resin dusts due to friction between the sealant and the inner surface of the container body, or reduction in adhering strength can be prevented, as in the third embodiment.
As described above, a sheet member containing paper is punched and is thereafter subjected to press work, whereby the funnel component in which strength is maintained can be provided at low cost. Further, resource saving can be made as compared to a case where a conventional funnel component made of resin is provided. Such a method for manufacturing the funnel component can be applied in various manners to other products, such as paper cups, which are thus formed. Further, the method can be applied to products which are thus formed and have polygonal horizontal cross-sections as well as products that are thus formed and have circular horizontal cross-sections.
An example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present example, the container body 120 includes a side wall 17 formed into a cylindrical shape by using a rectangular sheet member, and a bottom portion 18 formed by using a circular bottom member. Further, a flange portion 12 is formed, at an open end of the container body 120, by a portion of the side wall 17 being folded outward. The flange portion 12 may be a curled portion formed by the end portion of the side wall 17 being folded back outward over the entirety of the circumference so as to have a curved surface. Alternatively, the flange portion 12 may be formed by the curled portion being squeezed and flattened.
The container body 120 is made of a material including paper as a main component, in consideration of reduction in weight of the container, facilitation of disposal, and resource saving. For example, a laminated film formed by paper and resin may be used. When gas barrier property is required, a gas barrier layer, such as a transparent deposition film, an aluminium foil, or the like, is included in the laminated structure.
As described above, since the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 projects from the open end of the container body, the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 and the sealing lid 160 are maintained so as to be in close contact with each other at a contact portion 24 in a state where the contents 150 are packaged and sealing with the sealing lid 160 is performed. As a result, even when the packaging container 100 turns over and lies on its side, or is turned upside down when used, the contents 150 are prevented from moving onto the outer side of the funnel component 701.
When the packaging containers 100 are transported or stored, a plate member 20 such as a laminated board or laminated paper is put, at the open end portion of the container body 120, on a plurality of the packaging containers 100 aligned and erected on a pallet, and, on the plate member 20, a plurality of the packaging containers 100 and the plate member 20 are further stacked alternately. When the plate member 20 is put on the packaging container 100 as shown in (a) of
A distance by which the funnel component 701 projects when the funnel component 701 is formed by a material including paper as a main component, will be described.
More specifically,
According to the result shown in
As described above, it is advantageous that the funnel component 701 is fitted into the container body 120 such that the opening portion on the narrow opening side projects from a plane including the open end of the container body 120, and a distance d by which the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 projects from the plane including the open end of the container body 120 is set so as to be greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm. In particular, when the distance d by which the opening portion on the narrow opening side projects is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, and not greater than 1.5 mm, positioning of the funnel component 701 relative to the container body 120 is facilitated, whereby the packaging container 100 can be easily manufactured.
As described above, in the present example, since the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 projects from the open end of the container body 120, the contents 150 can be prevented from moving onto the outer side of the funnel component 701 in a state where the container body 120 is filled with the contents 150 and sealed with the sealing lid 160. Further, since a distance by which the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 projects is optimized for the funnel component 701 made of paper, the funnel component 701 can be prevented from being irreversibly deformed when the packaging containers 100 are stacked and stored.
Since the funnel component 701 of the present example can be elastically deformed due to the first tapered portion 512 and the second tapered portion 522, even when force applied from the sealing lid 160 to the funnel component 701 is changed due to internal pressure being changed after the open end of the container body 120 is sealed with the sealing lid 160 as shown in
In the present example, the sealing lid 160 has a tab 164 that extends from a portion of the circumferential portion of the sealing lid 160. However, the sealing lid 160 may not have the tab 164.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Description of the same contents as described for the example of the fourth embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
(b) of
Table 1 indicates a result of comparison as to the sealing lid 160B in sealing property (adhesiveness), pressing strength required for opening operation, openability, and opened state among the packaging containers according to the present embodiment that had the adhesion portions 25 having the width W of 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm, and the adhesion portion 25 in which the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 was adhered to the entirety of the circumference of the contact portion 24. In this case, the diameter of each sealing lid 160B was 85 mm. For the adhesion portions 25 having the width W of 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm, the number of the adhesion portions 25 between the perforation lines 22 was one and the total number of the adhesion portions 25 was six, in each packaging container. In this case, when the width W ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm, it is confirmed that, although there is a slight difference in the sealing property (adhesiveness) and openability, opening operation is favorably performed in each packaging container.
When the adhesion portions 25 as described above are provided, generation of a gap between the opening portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701 and the sealing lid 160B due to the sealing lid 160B being expanded according to change of air pressure or temperature, can be prevented. Thus, movement of the contents 150 onto the outer side of the funnel component 701 in the case of, for example, the contents being transported is more assuredly prevented, and resistance to buckling during storage can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the sealing lid 160B has the tab 164 that extends from a portion of the circumferential portion of the sealing lid 160B. However, the sealing lid 160B may not have the tab 164.
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Description of the same contents as described for the example of the fourth embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
(a) of
Alternatively, as illustrated in a cross-sectional view of (c) of
In the lower film 162, the perforation lines 22 are formed so as to extend radially from the center over a predetermined length. Namely, the perforation lines 22 are formed so as not to reach a portion in the vicinity of the end portion of the outer circumferential edge of the sealing lid 260. Further, the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are partially sealed to each other in regions each of which is between the perforation lines 22, and a plurality of circular adhesion regions 163 are formed. The upper film 161 acts to protect the lower film 162 that is easily cut by the perforation lines 22.
When the container body 120 is sealed with the sealing lid 260, a circumferential edge portion 167 of the lower film 162 and the flange portion 12 of the container body 120 are heat-sealed to each other, and the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are simultaneously heat-sealed to each other at a circumferential edge portion 166. The heat-sealing is performed in not only the top surface of the flange portion 12 but also a region outward of the top surface of the flange portion 12 as indicated by an arrow in
Further, the tab 164 is formed so as to connect with a portion of the circumferential edge portions of the upper film 161 and the lower film 162. At the tab 164, the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are adhered to each other in a region 168 that is a portion, of the tab 164, including the tip of the tab 164. Another region at which no adhesion is performed is provided so as to extend across the tab 164. The lower film 162 includes, in the region where no adhesion is performed, a cut 165 that extends across the tab 164. Namely, the lower film 162 is separated by the cut 165, and the tab 164 is connected by only the upper film 161.
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case is described in which the diameter of the sealing lid 260 is 88 mm and the perforation lines 22 are formed as six straight lines that extend radially from the center of the sealing lid 260. The length of each perforation is 1.5 mm, and the length of a portion connecting between adjacent perforations is 2 mm. The number of the adhesion regions 163 is six, and each adhesion region 163 is formed between the perforation lines 22.
A procedure for refilling will be described. Firstly, the tab 164 is pinched to pull the sealing lid 260 so as to be removed from the container body 120.
The sealing lid 260 needs to maintain the container body 120 in a sealed state even when the flange portion 12 is deformed due to a force applied externally to the container body 120. The upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are adhered to each other at not only the circumferential edge portions 166 and 167 but also the adhesion regions 163. Therefore, even when the flange portion 12 is deformed in the radial direction due to falling or the like, and tensile force is applied to the surface of the sealing lid 260 in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 260, the upper film 161 is not separated from the lower film 162, and concentration of the tensile force on the perforation lines 22 of the lower film 162 is avoided, to prevent the lower film 162 from being cut. In general, when adhering strength is evaluated, test for separation is performed by generating tensile force in a direction perpendicular to an adhesion surface. However, the adhesion regions 163 need to prevent separation due to tensile force in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 260. Therefore, the adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 is appropriately evaluated in the test for separation by generating tensile force in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 260. An adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 is advantageously such a strength that prevents separation even when a tensile force ranging from 30N to 70N is applied in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 260. It is confirmed that, in a case where the adhering strength is higher than or equal to 30N, even when deformation of the flange portion 12 of the container body 120 reaches 25 mm, separation of the upper film 161 from the lower film 162 can be prevented and the lower film 162 can be prevented from being cut. On the other hand, when the adhering strength is higher than or equal to 70N, it is difficult to separate the upper film 161 from the lower film 162 for refilling.
Further, since the circumferential edge portion 166 is heat-sealed, air sealing property of the sealing lid 260 can be assuredly obtained by the layer of the barrier film of the upper film 161.
A method for manufacturing the sealing lid 260 and the packaging container 100 will be described with reference to
As shown in the perspective view of (a) of
Further, in a case where crinkling is performed, as further illustrated in a cross-sectional view of (b) of
By the above manufacturing method, a position at which the circumferential edge portion 167 of the lower film 162 and the flange portion 12 of the container body 120 are heat-sealed to each other, and a position at which the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are heat-sealed to each other become almost the same as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface of the sealing lid 260 even when alignment is not performed with enhanced accuracy. Thus, when the tab 164 is pinched and the sealing lid 260 is pulled so as to be separated from the container body, a portion of the lower film 162 closer to the center of the sealing lid 160 than the cut 165 is prevented from moving upward together with the upper film 161, as shown in
On the other hand, in a case where the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are previously adhered to each other at the circumferential edge portion 166, and thereafter the circumferential edge portion 167 of the lower film 162 and the flange portion 12 of the container body 120 are heat-sealed to each other, alignment needs to be performed with enhanced accuracy in order to align a heat-sealing position at which the lower film 162 and the flange portion 12 are heat-sealed to each other, with an adhesion position at which the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are adhered to each other, as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface of the sealing lid 260. When the accuracy for the alignment is low, the adhesion position may be displaced outward of the heat-sealing position as shown in (a) of
In general, the same problem arises in a general packaging container in which a sealing lid having an upper film and a lower film that are layered is used and only the upper film is separated when used. (b) of
In the present embodiment, separation of the upper film 161 is facilitated without performing alignment between the sealing lid 260 and the flange portion 12 with an enhanced accuracy, and the upper film 161 can protect the lower film 162 having the perforation lines 22. Therefore, strength of the sealing lid 260 itself is enhanced to reduce the number of components, thereby enabling reduction of production cost. As shown in
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case is described where the diameter of the sealing lid 360 is 86.8 mm, and the length of each perforation line 22 is 55 mm. Further, the inner diameter for the annular adhesion region 163 is 60 mm, and the outer diameter is 66 mm. The diameter of each adhesion area of the adhesion regions 169 in the tip portion of the tab 164 is 2 mm, and the adhesion areas are provided at intervals of 6 mm.
An adhering strength of the adhesion region 163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 360. Since the adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of an annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, an adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 360. In particular, in a case where the adhering strength ranges from 50N to 70N, it was confirmed that, even in the case of the atmospheric pressure or pressure inside the packaging container 100 being changed, separation of the upper film 161 from the lower film 162 was able to be prevented and the lower film 162 was able to be prevented from being cut, and transportation by air for about 10 hours was able to be performed under an external pressure of 0.8 atm.
Since ink, varnish, or the like is not used for adhesion in the sealing lids 260 and 360 of the above embodiments, no odor is generated. Further, since a transparent film is used, printing can be performed with excellent outer appearance, and printing can be also performed on the upper film 161 or the lower film 162 so as to obtain transparent visibility.
In the sealing lid 260, as shown in (a) of
Further, the sealing lid 260 according to a first modification of the present embodiment where, as shown in a plan view of (a) of
Furthermore, in the sealing lid 260 according to a second modification of the present embodiment, as shown in (a) of
Further, the following scope of the present invention based on the sixth to the seventh embodiments can be considered.
A packaging container in which the length of the perforation line ranges from 50% of the diameter of the sealing lid to 75% thereof.
An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The present embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the seventh embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
In the lower film 162, the perforation lines 22 extend radially from the center over a predetermined length. Namely, the perforation lines 22 are formed so as not to reach a portion near the end portion of the outer circumference edge of the sealing lid 460. Further, the upper film 161 and the lower film 162 are sealed so as to cover the perforation lines 22 in a circular region, to form the circular adhesion region 163. When the adhesion region 163 having such a structure is provided, contents are prevented from spilling through the perforation lines 22 to enhance its outer appearance and hygiene.
The following scope of the present invention based on the present embodiment can be considered.
A packaging container in which the adhesion region of the sealing lid includes a circular region that covers the perforation lines.
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the seventh embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case is described where the diameter of the sealing lid 560 is 86.8 mm, and the length of each perforation line 22 is 55 mm. Further, the inner diameter for the annular adhesion region 163 is 60 mm, and the outer diameter is 66 mm. The diameter of each adhesion area of the adhesion regions 169 in the tip portion of the tab 164 is 2 mm, and the adhesion areas are provided at intervals of 6 mm.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 560. The adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided over the entirety of the region of the perforation lines 22. Therefore, the adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 560.
The following scope of the present invention based on the present embodiment can be considered.
A packaging container in which the adhesion region of the sealing lid further includes a region formed so as to cover the perforation lines and extend up to the annular region.
A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the seventh embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 660. The adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided in a portion of the region of the perforation lines 22. Therefore, the adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 660.
The following scope of the present invention based on the present embodiment can be considered.
A packaging container in which the adhesion region of the sealing lid further includes a region formed so as to cover the perforation lines and so as not to contact with the annular region.
An eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the seventh embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 760. Since the adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided over the perforation lines 22 as a plurality of circular regions, adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 760.
A twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the seventh embodiment is omitted as appropriate.
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case where the diameter of the sealing lid 860 is 92 mm, and the length of each perforation line 22 is 67 mm, is described. Further, the center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 corresponds to the center of the sealing lid 860. An angle formed by the adjacent perforation lines 22 that extend radially from the center of the sealing lid 860, is 60°. The perforation lines 22 are formed as three straight lines. The lengths of the perforations are 2 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm, and 2 mm in order, respectively, from the outer side. The length of a portion connecting between adjacent perforations is 1 mm. The inner diameter for the annular adhesion region 163 is 65 mm and the outer diameter is 71 mm. Furthermore, the length of the air slit 192 is 4 mm. The adhesion region 1163 is formed so as to include: one circular area that includes, as its center, the center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 and has the diameter of 15 mm; and two adhesion areas which are on each perforation line 22 and each of which is 16 mm long in the direction along the perforation line 22 and 9 mm long in the direction orthogonal to the perforation line 22, such that the total number of the adhesion areas of the adhesion region 1163 is seven.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 860. The adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided in regions that cover the perforation lines 22, and extend from portions inside the inner diameter of the funnel component so as not to contact with the annular region. Therefore, the adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 860.
The following scope of the present invention based on the present embodiment can be considered.
A packaging container in which the adhesion region of the sealing lid further includes: a circular region including, as its center, the center meeting portion of the perforation lines; and regions which cover the perforation lines and extend outward from portions inside the inner diameter of the funnel component so as not to contact with the annular region.
A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the twelfth embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the twelfth embodiment is omitted as appropriate. (a) of
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case where the diameter of the sealing lid 960 is 92 mm, and the length of each perforation line 22 is 67 mm, is described. The center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 corresponds to the center of the sealing lid 960. An angle formed by the adjacent perforation lines 22 that extend radially from the center of the sealing lid 960 is 60°. The perforation lines 22 are formed as three straight lines. The lengths of the perforations are 2 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm, and 2 mm in order, respectively, from the outer side. The length of a portion connecting between adjacent perforations is 1 mm. The inner diameter for the annular adhesion region 163 is 65 mm and the outer diameter is 71 mm. The funnel inner diameter 133 is 35.4 mm. The length of the air slit 192 is 4 mm. The adhesion region 1163 is formed so as to include: one circular area that includes, as its center, the center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 and has the diameter of 15 mm; and two areas provided on each perforation line 22 inside the funnel inner diameter, and two areas provided on each perforation line 22 outside the funnel inner diameter, such that the total number of the areas of the adhesion region 1163 is thirteen.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 960. The adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided over the perforation lines 22 inside and outside the inner diameter of the funnel component. Therefore, the adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 660.
A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the thirteenth embodiment in sealing lid. Also for the sealing lid, description of the same contents as described for the thirteenth embodiment is omitted as appropriate. (a) of
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case where the diameter of the sealing lid 1060 is 108 mm and the length of each perforation line 22 is 84 mm, is described. The center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 corresponds to the center of the sealing lid 1060. An angle formed by the adjacent perforation lines 22 that extend radially from the center of the sealing lid 1060, is 60°. The perforation lines 22 are formed as three straight lines. The lengths of the perforations are 5 mm, 5 mm, 9 mm, 9 mm, 9 mm, 9 mm, 9 mm, 9 mm, 5 mm, and 5 mm in order, respectively, from the outer side. The lengths of portions each connecting between adjacent perforations are 1 mm, 1 mm, 1 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, 1 mm, 1 mm, and 1 mm in order, respectively, from the outer side. The inner diameter for the annular adhesion region 163 is 83 mm and the outer diameter is 89 mm. The length of the air slit 192 is 5 mm. The adhesion region 1163 is formed so as to include: one circular area that includes, as its center, the center meeting portion of the perforation lines 22 and has the diameter of 20 mm; and four adhesion areas provided over each perforation line 22 inside the funnel inner diameter and two adhesion areas provided over each perforation line 22 outside the funnel inner diameter, such that the total number of the adhesion areas of the adhesion region 1163 is 19. Further, each of the adhesion areas provided inside and outside the funnel inner diameter is 2 mm long in the direction along the corresponding perforation line 22, is 6 mm long in the direction orthogonal to the corresponding perforation line 22, and has corners each chamfered so as to have a curved surface with R0.5. The adhesion areas provided over each perforation line 22 inside and outside the funnel inner diameter are distant from the center of the sealing lid 1060 by 14.5 mm, 24.5 mm, and 32.5 mm so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the center of the sealing lid 1060.
The adhering strength of the adhesion regions 163 and 1163 preferably ranges from 30N to 70N in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 760. The adhesion region 163 is provided over the entirety of the circumference of the annular portion surrounding the perforation lines 22, and the adhesion region 1163 is provided over the perforation lines 22 inside and outside the inner diameter of the funnel component. Therefore, the adhering strength can be enhanced in the direction parallel to the surface of the sealing lid 1060.
In the sealing lids 460 to 1060 according to the above embodiments, since ink, varnish, and the like are not used for adhesion, no odor is generated. Further, a transparent film is used, and printing can be performed with excellent outer appearance, and printing can be also performed on the upper film 161 or the lower film 162 so as to obtain transparent visibility. In the sealing lids 360 to 1060 according to the above embodiments, the upper film 161 may further include a PET layer (having the thickness of 12 μm) on a side closer to the outer side of the packaging container 100. Further, the lower film 162 may further include a barrier film (having a thickness ranging from 12 μm to 100 μm) between the PET layer and the polyethylene layer. In particular, when food is stored as contents, the PET layer on which printing with ink is performed is layered over the barrier film layer in the upper film 161 and the lower film 162, whereby printing can be performed with enhanced safety from the viewpoint of food hygiene.
In the sixth to the fourteenth embodiments, when the upper film 161 is separated from the lower film 162, the perforation lines 22 gradually become exposed while the separation progresses. When the sealing lid is protected by a conventional shrink film or covering cap, perforation lines become exposed soon by removing the shrink film or covering cap. In a high land or at a high temperature, pressure inside the packaging container is higher than the external pressure. Therefore, in conventional arts, the perforation lines may be cut simultaneously when the perforation lines become exposed, and the sealing lid may be cut and the contents may be dispersed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the separation gradually progresses with the lower film 162 being protected by the upper film 161. Therefore, air passes through the perforation lines 22 without cutting, and difference between air pressure inside the packaging container 100 and air pressure outside the packaging container 100 is eliminated. Thus, the lower film 162 can be prevented from being cut.
Furthermore, the size of each of the sealing lids 260 to 1060, the number of the perforation lines 22 of the lower film 162, the length of each perforation line 22 thereof, the position of the adhesion region 163 and the number of the adhesion regions 163, and the like are not limited to the exemplary ones described in each embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate.
An exemplary modification of each embodiment in which the tab 164 of the sealing lid may be welded to the side wall 17 of the container body 120 may be implemented, similarly to the second modification of the seventh embodiment. Further, in each embodiment, the tab 164 may be subjected to embossing process. The shape for the tab 164 is not limited to any specific shape.
The scopes of the present invention, as indicated below, based on the sixth to the fourteenth embodiments can be considered.
1. A packaging container in which the tab has a projection formed by the upper film and the lower film being subjected to embossing process.
2. A packaging container in which the easy peel member of the upper film is formed by a polyester-based resin.
3. A packaging container in which the barrier film of the upper film is a film having an inorganic oxide vapor deposition film or a metal deposition film, or a film formed by an ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer (EVOH), or a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
A packaging container 200 according to the present embodiment will be described.
The side wall 17 forms a cylindrical shape. The height of the side wall 17 is, for example, 180 mm, and the outer diameter of the side wall 17 is, for example, 95 mm. The bottom portion 18 is provided on the lower end side of the side wall 17. For example, the bottom portion 18 is provided so as to have a height that corresponds to a certain distant from the lower end of the side wall 17 toward the upper end side. More specifically, the bottom portion 18 is provided so as to be higher than the lower end of the side wall 17 by 8 mm in a direction toward the upper end side. The outer edge of the bottom portion 18 connects with the inner side surface of the side wall 17. In
The number of the ruled lines 1201 and the length of each ruled line 1201 are not limited to the exemplary ones as shown in
The length of each ruled line 1201 may be greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than 100 mm. The number of the ruled lines 1201 may be greater than or equal to 6 and less than 30. When the length of each ruled line 1201 is less than the above length, or the number of the ruled lines 1201 is less than the above number, crinkling is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the length of each ruled line 1201 is greater than the above length, or the number of the ruled lines 1201 is greater than the above number, rigidity of the bottom portion 18 is excessively reduced, and the strength of the packaging container is reduced. The number of the ruled lines 1201 is particularly preferably greater than or equal to 6, and less than 25.
Further, a fourth modification of the present embodiment may be implemented in which, in addition to the 12 ruled lines 1201, circular lines 1202 that intersect the 12 ruled lines 1201 may be provided, on the outer surface portion of the bottom portion 18, around the center portion of the bottom portion 18, which corresponds to the center of the circular shape formed by each circular line, as shown in
In each of the above examples, the ruled lines 1201 are not formed in the center portion of the bottom portion 18. However, the ruled lines 1201 may pass through the center portion of the bottom portion 18.
Further, in each of the above examples, the bottom portion 18 is circular. However, the bottom portion 18 may be formed such that the upper and lower flat planes have a polygonal shape such as a square shape or a regular hexagon. Thus, the shape of the bottom portion 18 is not limited to any specific shape. The side wall 17 may have its inner side portion connected with the outer edge of the bottom portion 18.
(a) of
(c) of
In the examples shown in (b) of
Further, even in an environment in which air pressure outside the packaging container 200 is higher than air pressure thereinside, since the rigidity of the bottom portion 18 is lower than the rigidity of the side wall 17, projection of the bottom portion 18 is reduced or the bottom portion 18 is further recessed toward the inner side of the packaging container 200, thereby absorbing difference in air pressure. On the other hand, the side wall 17 having a distinguishable outer appearance is not deformed. Therefore, the design of the packaging container 200 is not degraded. For example, the packaging container 200 was filled with powdery substances of instant coffee at 30° C., and the opening was thereafter sealed, and the packaging container 200 was left as it was in an environment in which the temperature was 0° C. Namely, the packaging container 200 containing the contents was left as it was in an environment in which air pressure outside the packaging container 200 was higher than air pressure thereinside. In this case, projection of the bottom portion 18 was reduced, and the side wall 17 having a distinguishable outer appearance was not deformed. Namely, the design of the packaging container 200 was not degraded as a whole.
Thus, in the examples shown in (b) of
Examples of the present embodiment will be described below. In a case where the bottom portion 18 of the container body 220 having no ruled lines and the bottom portions 18 of the container bodies 220 having the ruled lines shown in
As indicated in Table 2, in the bottom portion having no ruled lines, crinkles were generated near the outer edge of the bottom portion. On the other hand, in the bottom portions having the ruled lines shown in
Further, the scopes of the present invention, as indicated below, based on the present embodiment can be considered.
1. A packaging container in which the length of each ruled line is greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than 100 mm.
2. A packaging container in which the number of the ruled lines is greater than or equal to 6 and less than 30.
3. A packaging container in which the bottom portion is formed by a material in which a polyethylene layer, a deposition film, a gas-sealing function resin layer, a polyethylene layer, paper, and a polyethylene layer are layered in order, respectively, from the inner side toward the outer side of the packaging container.
4. A packaging container in which the side surface portion is formed by a material in which a polyethylene layer, a deposition film, a polyethylene terephthalate layer, paper, and a polyethylene layer are layered in order, respectively, from the inner side toward the outer side of the packaging container.
A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. (a) of
In an example shown in
As shown in (b) of
In the present embodiment, the sealing lid 260 is pressed outward by the end portion, on the narrow opening side, of the funnel component 701, and projection having a height of, for example, 1 mm is formed concentrically with the sealing lid 260. The diameter of the sealing lid 260 is 85 mm, and the center of the sealing lid 260 and the center of the sticker label 51 overlap each other, and the sticker label 51 is adhered so as to cover the projection.
The sticker label 51 has such a shape as to extend downward from its center portion toward its circumferential edge portion along the sealing lid 260. In this case, a portion, outward of the projection, of the sticker label 51 is squeezed, and the widths of the recesses 52 in the circumferential direction of the sticker label 51, are reduced. Thus, the circumferential edge portion of the sticker label 51 is not folded and gathered, thereby reducing generation of crinkles. Further, repelling force against squeezing is reduced, and a state where the circumferential edge portion of the sticker label 51 is lifted without extending along the sealing lid 260 is less likely to occur. Since the recesses 52 are formed so as to be arc-shaped, stress due to squeezing is not concentrated on specific portions of the recesses 52, as compared to the triangular recesses or the like, whereby generation of crinkles at the recesses 52 can be further reduced.
As described above, even when the sticker label 51 is adhered to a non-flat surface including projections, generation of crinkles or lifting is reduced, whereby adhesion to the sealing lid 260 can be stably performed. Thus, information indicating function and design representing function of the sticker label 51 and protecting function for the sealing lid 260 can be obtained. The sticker label 51 is adhered to indicate information or represent design. Therefore, even for a small amount of production lots, information or design unique to the lots can be easily indicated by individual printing on the sticker labels. Further, since the sealing lid 260 is protected by the sticker label 51, strength of the sealing lid 260 can be reduced, thereby enabling reduction in cost. Furthermore, for the same reason as described above, even when the sticker label 51 is adhered to a non-flat surface including recesses, generation of crinkles or lifting can be similarly reduced.
The sticker label 51 can be adhered to the sealing lid 260 by using a typical sticker labeler. Since the recesses 52 are not formed into a straight line shape but are formed into an arc shape, the sticker label 51 is less likely to be caught by the sticker labeler as compared to a case where the recesses 52 are formed into rectangular shapes or the like. Therefore, failure in adhesion is less likely to occur.
The size and the shape of the sticker label 51 are not limited to those described above. When the diameter of the sealing lid 260 is greater than or equal to 50 mm and not greater than 100 mm, the diameter of the sticker label 51 is preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and not greater than 100 mm, such that the size of the sticker label 51 is not greater than the size of the sealing lid 260.
The shape and the number of the recesses 52 of the sticker label 51 are not limited to those described above. The shape and the number thereof can be selected as appropriate depending on, for example, a degree of projection or recess of the sealing lid 260, the shape of the sealing lid 260, and the size of the sticker label 51. For example, when the sealing lid 260 includes a recess having a depth that is greater than or equal to 1 mm and not greater than 5 mm, or a projection having a height that is greater than or equal to 1 mm and not greater than 5 mm, the recesses 52 are preferably formed into arc shapes having an equal radius that is greater than or equal to 1 mm and not greater than 5 mm, in the case of the sticker label 51 being a circular member having a diameter that is greater than or equal to 40 mm and not greater than 100 mm. Further, from the viewpoint of the number of the recesses 52, the number of the recesses 52 is preferably greater than or equal to 8 and not greater than 24. From the viewpoint of intervals for positioning, the recesses 52 are preferably spaced from each other along the circumferential edge of the sticker label 51 at regular intervals such that the recesses 52 are spaced from each other by a distance that is greater than or equal to 5 mm and not greater than 10 mm. When the radius of each recess 52 or the number of the recesses 52 is reduced so as to be less than that described above, or the intervals for positioning is increased so as to be greater than those described above, the effect is less likely to be obtained. When the radius of each recess 52 or the number of the recesses 52 is increased so as to be greater than that described above, or the intervals for positioning are reduced so as to be less than those described above, the area of the sticker label 51 is reduced, and an indication region by printing is reduced. Further, the recessed width of each recess 52 from the circumferential edge of the circular member toward the center of the circular member is preferably equal to about the radius of the arc of each recess 52. Thus, the width of each recess 52 along the circumferential direction of the circular member can be increased, and the width squeezed when the sticker label 51 is adhered can be increased. The recesses 52 of the sticker label 51 may be formed into a curved-line shape, other than an arc shape, by which stress is less likely to be concentrated and the recess is less likely to be caught by a sticker labeler.
The sticker label 51 is preferably formed by using, as a base material, synthetic paper the size of which is less than or equal to 100 μm, so as to extend well along the projection or recess of the sealing lid 260. For example, YUPO (registered trademark) synthetic paper, manufactured by YUPO CORPORATION, having the thickness of 80 μm can be used, and, for example, a high-adhesion type adhesive PAT1 can be used as the adhesive layer. The synthetic paper is more rigid and stretchable than paper or resin films, and is preferably used as a base material of the sticker label 51 to be adhered to a surface including projection or recess.
The packaging container to which the sticker label 51 is to be adhered is not limited to the packaging container 300 described above. The sticker label 51 may be adhered to other packaging containers or objects other than packaging containers when the sticker label 51 can be adhered by an adhesive of the sticker label 51. Further, the sticker label 51 can be adhered to flat surfaces.
Further, the scopes of the present invention, as indicated below, based on the present embodiment can be considered.
1. A packaging container in which a planar shape of the sticker label is such that recesses are formed into arc shapes having an equal radius that is greater than or equal to 1 mm and not greater than 5 mm, and the recesses are formed in a circumferential edge of a circular member having a diameter that is greater than or equal to 40 mm and not greater than 100 mm such that the recesses are spaced from each other at regular intervals by a distance that is greater than or equal to 5 mm and not greater than 10 mm.
2. A packaging container in which a planar shape of the sticker label is such that recesses are formed into arc shapes having an equal radius that is greater than or equal to 1 mm and not greater than 5 mm, and the recesses are formed in a circumferential edge of a circular member having a diameter that is greater than or equal to 40 mm and not greater than 100 mm, and the number of the recesses is greater than or equal to 8 and not greater than 24.
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, in each of the embodiments, modification, replacements, additions, and omissions of the components can be made as appropriate. In addition, components described in each embodiment can be combined to provide a new embodiment.
The present invention is, for example, useful for packaging containers used for transferring fluid substances such as powdery, granular, and liquid substances from one case to another case, and for funnel components for use in the packaging containers.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-197665 | Sep 2011 | JP | national |
| 2011-197666 | Sep 2011 | JP | national |
| 2011-197667 | Sep 2011 | JP | national |
| 2012-019134 | Jan 2012 | JP | national |
| 2012-019135 | Jan 2012 | JP | national |
| 2012-021063 | Feb 2012 | JP | national |
| 2012-092340 | Apr 2012 | JP | national |
| 2012-173274 | Aug 2012 | JP | national |
This application is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/JP2012/005675, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-197665, filed on Sep. 9, 2011, Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-197666, filed on Sep. 9, 2011, Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-197667, filed on Sep. 9, 2011, Japanese Patent Application 2012-019134, filed on Jan. 31, 2012, Japanese Patent Application 2012-019135, filed on Jan. 31, 2012, Japanese Patent Application 2012-021063, filed on Feb. 2, 2012, Japanese Patent Application 2012-092340, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, Japanese Patent Application 2012-173274, filed on Aug. 3, 2012, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2012/005675 | 9/7/2012 | WO | 00 | 3/5/2014 |
