JPH09104404A - Evaluation method for self-sealing spout - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) 【Abstract】 PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-sealing property of a spout with a self-sealing function and a pouring property of the spout,
To provide a method that enables accurate quantitative evaluation with a simple method. Kind Code: A1 A method for evaluating content pouring property and self-sealing property from a self-sealing spout part provided at a spout of a container, in which a liquid is injected into the container from a position other than the spout part. At the same time, the injection pressure is measured, and the content pouring property and self-sealing property from the spout part are evaluated by the pressure of the liquid when the injected liquid starts to leak from the spout part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is called a bag-like container (generally referred to as a "pouch") having a spout portion (a pouring hole for contents) having a self-sealing function. The present invention relates to a method for quantitatively evaluating the property of pouring out the contents from the spout part and the self-sealing property of the spout part, which is used for the product design of a pouch having the spout part. Set the opening width of the section appropriately according to the viscosity of the contents,
It can be effectively used as an evaluation index for facilitating the pouring of the contents from the spout portion while ensuring a sufficient self-sealing property.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Seasonings such as ketchup, mayonnaise, dressings, miso, soft drinks such as juice, milk,
BACKGROUND ART Pouches using flexible films have recently become widespread as packaging forms for dairy products such as yogurt and condensed milk, shampoos, lotions, rinses, liquid detergents, and fluid products such as alcoholic beverages and paints. These pouches are formed into a bag by combining two heat-sealing films and heat-sealing the three sides, then filling the contents from the unsealed top opening, and finally heat-sealing the top. The packaging method is widely put to practical use, including various improvements.

As one of such improvement techniques, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a non-sealing portion that constitutes a spout portion (pouring hole) 3 is provided at one corner of the heat-sealing portion 2 in the bag-shaped container (pouch) 1, and the spout portion 3 is cut by opening when used. However, a device has been developed in which the contents can be easily extracted (JP-A-2-501823).
No.).

In recent years, in this type of pouch with a spout, a pouch having a self-sealing property utilizing the elasticity of a film has been developed so that the pouch can be used as a storage container. That is, in FIG.
(B) is an enlarged explanatory view showing an unsealed end face shape of the spout portion 3 having a self-sealing function, and this drawing corresponds to the portion of the cutting line S in FIG. The spout portion 3 shown in the figure has a self-sealing function in which the film F forming the bag-shaped container is overlapped and a part of the sealing portion M joined by heat sealing or the like is left in a non-joined state, and the non-joined portion is used as the spout portion 3. When the pressure inside the bag-shaped container is low, the elasticity of the film F causes the films F and F in the unsealing portion to adhere to each other to exert a self-sealing property, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). . Then, when the pressure in the bag-shaped container increases, the internal pressure acts on the spout portion 3 to separate the films F, F of the opening portion, and the internal pressure acts on the spout portion 3.
2B, the films F, F are separated from each other to open the spout portion 3, and the pouring of the contents starts from the gap. Incidentally, in the bag-shaped container as shown in the drawings, in order to increase the filling amount of the contents and to provide self-supporting property, a vessel-like waiting is often provided at the bottom of the container.

Therefore, the spout part having the self-sealing function is naturally sealed by the elasticity of the film material even after the spout is cut and when the contents are not poured out, and the pouch seems to fall. Even if the contents do not leak out. On the other hand, if you want to extract the contents, grasp the body of the pouch to increase the internal pressure,
The spout portion is opened against the elasticity so that the contents can be poured out.

[0006]

What is most important in the product design of a pouch with a spout having the self-sealing function as described above is whether or not the self-sealing property of the spout portion and the pouring property of the contents are good or bad. In other words, this spout part is required to have a self-sealing function that can surely prevent the contents from leaking out when not in use, but when used, women or children with a comparatively weak grip can grasp the body part of the pouch. Therefore, the ease of pouring so that the contents can be easily poured out is required. The self-sealing property and the ease of pouring of the spout part are adjusted mainly by the thickness of the film (elasticity of the film material) and the opening width of the film forming the spout part.

However, if the self-sealing property of the spout portion is enhanced, the pouring easiness is lowered and a large grip force is required for pouring, while the self-sealing property for enhancing the pouring easiness is lowered and the product falls. At times, there is a tendency that the contents leak easily, and since the pouring easiness also changes depending on the viscosity of the contents, it is a spout that can satisfy both self-sealing property and easiness of pouring. It is not easy to determine the elasticity and opening width of the part.

Nevertheless, no quantitative criteria have so far been clarified for determining the elasticity and opening width of the spout portion. And what is currently being adopted is
Depending on the viscosity of the contents, etc., a spout part with several opening widths that seems to be suitable as an empirical guide is formed, and it is easy to pour when the contents are actually filled and the body part is grasped. The actual situation is that an appropriate opening width is determined by sensory evaluation of the self-sealing property. However, since such a method is merely a sensory evaluation and not a numerical standard, it is necessary to carry out a setting test for the opening width etc. by thinking and error depending on the type of contents each time. Then individual differences are unavoidable.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a pouch with a spout having a self-sealing function with a self-sealing property and an easy pouring property of the spout part. We are trying to establish a method that enables accurate quantitative evaluation by various methods.

[0010]

According to the evaluation method of the present invention which has been able to solve the above-mentioned problems, at least the content pouring property from a self-sealing spout portion provided at a pouring outlet of a container is evaluated. A method for injecting a liquid into the container from a position other than the spout portion and measuring the injection pressure thereof, and the pressure of the liquid when the injected liquid starts to leak from the spout portion, Its characteristic is that it evaluates at least the pouring property of contents from the department.

Another evaluation method according to the present invention is a method for evaluating at least the content pouring property of a self-sealing spout part provided at a spout of a container, which is evaluated from a position other than the spout part. After injecting the liquid into the container, increasing the injection pressure of the liquid above the pressure at which the liquid flows out from the spout part to cause the liquid to be poured out from the spout part, and then decreasing the pressure to stop the pouring of the liquid. Where the injection pressure is increased again, the pressure of the liquid at the time when the liquid starts to leak from the spout portion is measured, and the content pourability when the inner surface of the spout portion is wet with the liquid is evaluated. It has the gist.

Still another evaluation method according to the present invention is a method for evaluating at least the self-sealing property of a self-sealing spout portion provided at a spout of the container, wherein the container is placed from a position other than the spout portion. The liquid is injected into the inside of the spout, and the pressure is lowered after increasing the injection pressure of the liquid above the pressure at which the liquid flows out from the spout part, and the pressure when the outflow of the liquid from the spout part is stopped depends on the pressure. The point is to evaluate at least the self-sealing property.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus used in the evaluation method of the present invention, in which 4 is a liquid press-fitting pump,
5 is a liquid supply pipe, 6 is a pressure gauge, 7 is a connection adapter,
Denoted at 8 are mounting tables, respectively. The liquid press-fitting pump 4 is not particularly special, and may be any pump used for ordinary pumping, drainage, liquid supply, compression, etc., and its structure may be any of reciprocating type, rotary type, spiral type, propeller type, etc. A structure can be used. A liquid supply pipe 5 is connected to the liquid press-fitting pump 4, a pressure gauge 6 is branched and connected to the liquid supply pipe 5, and a connection adapter 7 is connected to the other end.
The pouch 1 with the spout to be evaluated is airtightly connected via the above and placed on the mounting table 8.

For connection between the connection adapter 7 and the pouch 1, the lower part of the pouch 1 is cut out and opened as shown in the drawing, and for example, the connection adapter 7 (7a is a liquid having a structure as shown in FIG. 4). The connecting pipe portion with the supply pipe 5, 7b is a joint portion to the pouch 1), and the joint portion 7b is inserted into the opening portion of the pouch 1 and connected to the outer surface side thereof by heat sealing or adhesive bonding. However, the connecting method itself is not limited at all, and the point is that the liquid sent from the liquid press-fitting pump 4 through the liquid supply pipe 5 is used in the pouch 1.
Any connection method may be adopted as long as it can be airtightly supplied to the inside, and the specific structure of the connection adapter 7 can be appropriately changed according to the connection method used. The mounting table 8 is also shown as a flat plate, but the point is that it may have any shape and structure as long as it can stably mount the pouch 1 via the connecting adapter 7, and depending on the case. The connection adapter 7 can also function as a mounting table. The method of evaluating the pouring easiness and the self-sealing property of the spout portion using the illustrated apparatus is performed as follows.

First, when evaluating the ease of pouring, after connecting the pouch 1 as shown in the drawing, the pouch 1 is passed from the liquid press-fitting pump 4 through the liquid supply pipe 5 and the connecting adapter 7.
The pressure of the supplied liquid is measured by the pressure gauge 6 while gradually injecting the liquid into the inside. Then, the liquid pressure in the pouch 1 gradually rises, but when the sealing force due to the elasticity of the spout portion 3 cannot withstand the liquid pressure, the spout portion 3 opens and the liquid flows out. By reading the pressure at this time with a pressure gauge, the pressure required for pouring from the spout portion 3 can be known, and how much grip force can be applied to the pouch 1 to pouring the contents. be able to.

By this method, the pressure required for pouring out the contents can be quantitatively grasped, and this value usually indicates the self-sealing property of the spout portion 3, but once the pouring out of the liquid is performed. Liquid (contents) adheres to the inner surface of the spout, the value will be slightly different from the self-sealing property in the unadhered state or the pouring property when re-dosing. Depending on the structure and constituent materials of the spout part, the internal pressure at the start of pouring may differ from the internal pressure at the time when pouring stops by exhibiting the self-sealing property from the pouring state. .

Therefore, in order to more accurately evaluate the self-sealing property and the content pouring property when the container is put to practical use, the evaluation is also performed in the state where the content (liquid) is attached to the inner surface of the spout portion. It is preferable. As a means to do so, after the contents are once poured out as described above, the internal pressure is once lowered and then the pressure is increased again, and the internal pressure at the time when the contents start to be poured is similarly measured. do it. As another method, first increase the pressure in the container to pour out the contents from the spout part, then gradually decrease the internal pressure and measure the internal pressure when the pouring of the contents stops. However, it is also effective to know the self-sealing property more accurately. For that purpose, the liquid is supplied into the pouch 1 by the method shown in FIG. 3, the internal pressure is increased to a pressure higher than the pressure at which the liquid flows out from the spout portion 3, and then the internal pressure is gradually lowered to make the spout portion 3 The pressure at which the outflow of the liquid from the device stops can be read by the pressure gauge 6.

Thus, according to the present invention, the internal pressure when the pressure in the pouch rises to start pouring from the spout portion, or the internal pressure when the internal pressure of the pouch is lowered to exhibit the self-sealing property. It becomes possible to quantitatively know.

Therefore, depending on the type (especially viscosity) of the contents to be filled in the pouch, a preliminary experiment was conducted on the relationship between the proper pouring property and the self-sealing property and the above pressure when the pouch with a spout is put into practical use. If the elasticity and opening width of the spout part are set so that the liquid pressure obtained by the above method matches the value, the self-sealing property and the pouring strength will be sufficient regardless of the type of contents. It is possible to obtain a pouch with a spout that is easy to put out.

The type of liquid used for the above quantitative evaluation is not particularly limited, and the most common is water, but in some cases, the content itself filled in the pouch can be used as the liquid for evaluation, Alternatively, it is also possible to dissolve an appropriate amount of water-soluble polymer in water and use an aqueous solution having a viscosity adjusted according to the contents to be filled, as the evaluation liquid. However, even if the viscosity of the liquid is not adjusted,
If a conversion formula that can convert the relationship between the internal pressure when water is used as a liquid and the self-sealing property and the pouring property according to the viscosity of the contents, etc. is obtained in advance by preliminary experiments, It is possible to find the elasticity and opening width of the spout that are appropriate for contents of any viscosity. In the above,
Although the spout portion provided in the bag-shaped container has been mainly described, the shape or structure of the container itself is not limited as long as it has the spout portion that exhibits the self-sealing property due to the elasticity of the film.

[0021]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following Examples, and is within a range applicable to the gist of the preceding and the following. It goes without saying that it is also possible to carry out appropriate modifications and implement them, and all of them are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Example Biaxially stretched nylon (15 μm) and polyethylene (80 μm)
12 cm using the laminated composite film consisting of
A standing pouch of × 20 cm was produced, and a spout portion having the shape and width shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 was formed in the upper seal portion. Then, the lower part of the pouch is cut off and heat-sealed to the connection adapter of the evaluation device as shown in FIG. 3, then the tip of the spout is cut out and opened, and the liquid (water) press-fitting pump is operated. Then about 14 in the pouch
Water was injected at a rate of ml / min at intervals of 5 seconds, and the internal pressure when the water flowed out from the spout and the internal pressure when the water flow stopped were measured.

The results are shown in FIG. 7 (A shows the spout formed in FIG. 5 and B shows the spout formed in FIG. 6). In the former case, the internal pressure is 400 mmAq, and in the latter case, the internal pressure is 600 mmAq. At that point, water started to flow out from the spout. Further, when the internal pressure was lowered from the outflow state, the outflow of water stopped when the pressure reached almost the same as the pressure at the start of the outflow. From the results of this experiment, the self-sealing property of each spout is maintained, or the critical pressure when pouring is started is 40 for the former.
It was confirmed that it was 0 mmAq and the latter was 600 mmAq.

[0024]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is configured as described above, and in a pouch with a spout having a self-sealing function, the self-sealing property and easiness of pouring of the spout portion can be accurately quantitatively evaluated by a simple method. When designing a pouch with a spout, the structure and opening width of the spout can be set appropriately according to the viscosity of the contents, and the contents can be poured out while ensuring sufficient self-sealing property. Can be done easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a bag-shaped container having a spout portion to which the evaluation method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a self-sealing mechanism of a spout portion.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus used in the evaluation method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection example of a bag-shaped container and a connection adapter.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape dimensions of the spout portion used in the examples.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape dimensions of another spout portion used in the examples.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the self-sealing property evaluation results of the spout portion obtained in the example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 bag-shaped container 2 seal part 3 spout part 4 liquid pressure injection pump 5 liquid gas supply pipe 6 pressure gauge 7 connection adapter 8 mounting table

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for evaluating at least the content pouring property of a self-sealing spout portion provided at a pouring outlet of a container, comprising injecting a liquid into the container from a position other than the spout portion. The self-sealing property is characterized in that at the same time, the injection pressure is measured, and at least the content pouring property from the spout part is evaluated by the pressure of the liquid when the injected liquid starts to leak from the spout part. Evaluation method of spout part. 2. A method for evaluating at least the content pouring property of a self-sealing spout part provided at a pouring port of a container, comprising injecting a liquid into the container from a position other than the spout part, The injection pressure of the liquid is increased to a pressure higher than the pressure at which the liquid flows out from the spout portion to cause the liquid to be poured out from the spout portion, and then the pressure is lowered to increase the injection pressure again after the pouring of the liquid is stopped. An evaluation method for a self-sealing spout part, characterized in that at least the content pouring property from the spout part is evaluated by the pressure of the liquid when the liquid starts to leak from the spout part. 3. A method for evaluating at least the self-sealing property of a self-sealing spout part provided at a spout of a container, comprising injecting a liquid into the container from a position other than the spout part, At least self-sealing property of the spout part is evaluated by increasing the injection pressure of the liquid beyond the pressure at which the liquid flows out from the spout part and then decreasing the injection pressure, and by the pressure when the outflow of the liquid from the spout part is stopped. Evaluation method of self-sealing spout part characterized by.