BAG BODY, FILM BODY, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BAG BODY

Abstract

A bag includes a bag body defining a housing space, an elongated member provided on a first face portion of two face portions forming the bag body, and a tab. The elongated member includes an elongated tearing guide piece, a belt-shaped base provided between a second face portion and the tearing guide piece along a longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece. The tab has an outer edge defined in the first face portion by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face portion. A protector covering the tab is provided on a side of the first face portion provided with the belt-shaped base.

Claims

1. A bag comprising: a bag body made of at least one folded or overlapped film, the bag body comprising a plurality of face portions at least comprising mutually facing first face portion and second face portion, the face portions defining a housing space; an elongated member provided on the first face portion, the elongated member comprising an elongated tearing guide piece, and a belt-shaped base interposed between the second face portion and the tearing guide piece along a longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece; and a tab comprising an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face portion, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, wherein a protector covering the tab is provided on a surface of the first face portion provided with the belt-shaped base.

2. A bag comprising: a bag body made of at least one folded or overlapped film, the bag body comprising a plurality of face portions at least comprising mutually facing first face portion and second face portion, the face portions defining a housing space; an elongated member provided on the first face portion, the elongated member comprising an elongated tearing guide piece and a zipper tape, the zipper tape comprising a first member comprising a belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped base and a second member comprising a belt-shaped body and a second engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped body and engageable with the first engagement portion; and a tab comprising an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face portion, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, wherein the belt-shaped base is extended in a width direction to protrude beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged, an extended part of the belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body are bonded to the first face portion with a surface provided with the first engagement portion and a surface not provided with the second engagement portion, respectively, the belt-shaped base is interposed between the second face portion and the tearing guide piece, a protector covering the tab is provided on a surface of the first face portion provided with the belt-shaped base.

3. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece are integrated.

4. The bag according to claim 1, further comprising: a cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide piece and the first face portion, the cut portion being configured to cut the first face portion and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.

5. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag body is made of a single film, the bag body being provided with a bonding portion formed by overlapping edges of the film located opposite with each other.

6. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of face portions further comprise a bottom face portion bonded with the first and the second face portions at peripheral ends thereof.

7. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of face portions comprise a pair of lateral face portions provided at side edges of the first and second face portions and facing each other through the first and second face portions, and the bottom face portion, and the lateral face portions are each interfolded along a bend line.

8. The bag according to claim 1, wherein a grip is provided in the bag body.

9. A film assembly comprising: a film; a plurality of elongated members provided on one surface of the film and mutually spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the film; and a tab, wherein the elongated members each comprises: an elongated tearing guide piece; and a belt-shaped base provided on a surface of the tearing guide piece opposite a surface of the tearing guide piece facing the film, the belt-shaped base extending along a longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece, the tab comprises an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, a protector covering the tab is provided on a surface of the film provided with the belt-shaped base, and a length of the film in a width direction is more than twice as large as a length of each of the elongated members in a longitudinal direction.

10. A film assembly comprising: a film; a plurality of elongated members provided on one surface of the film in a manner mutually spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the film; and a tab, wherein the elongated members each comprise: an elongated tearing guide piece; and a zipper tape, the zipper tape comprises: a first member comprising a belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped base; and a second member comprising a belt-shaped body and a second engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped body and engageable with the first engagement portion, the belt-shaped base is extended in a width direction to protrude beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged, the extended part of the belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body are bonded to the film with a surface provided with the first engagement portion and a surface not provided with the second engagement portion, respectively, the belt-shaped base is provided on a surface of the tearing guide piece opposite a surface of the tearing guide piece facing the film, the tab comprises an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, a protector covering the tab is provided on a side of the film provided with the belt-shaped base, and a length of the film in a width direction is more than twice as large as a length of each of the elongated members in a longitudinal direction.

11. The film assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: a cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide piece and the film, the cut portion being configured to cut the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.

12. The film assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of additional films, one of peripheral ends of each of the additional films being bonded with the film in parallel to the elongated members.

13. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding the film assembly according to claim 9; folding peripheral ends of the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film into a tube; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel to the bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along the transverse direction of the film across the elongated member.

14. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding the film assembly according to claim 12; folding peripheral ends of the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film into a tube; bonding the film and the other of the peripheral ends of the plurality of additional films along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel to the bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along the transverse direction of the film across the elongated member.

15. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 13, further comprising: after forming the bottom portion, packing contents in an inside of the film, which has been turned into the tubular film; and after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag, wherein in cutting the film, after forming the top portion, the film is cut at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side packed with the contents.

16. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding an elongated member onto a film along a longitudinal direction of the elongated member to provide the elongated member on a surface of the film, the elongated member comprising an elongated tearing guide piece and a belt-shaped base provided along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece, the film having a length in the width direction more than twice as large as a length of the elongated member in the longitudinal direction, the elongated member being fed so that the tearing guide piece faces the film and the belt-shaped base faces opposite the film; providing a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film to form an outer edge of a tab that allows the tearing guide piece to be pinched; bonding a protector covering the tab on the surface of the film; folding peripheral ends of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated member and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film into a tubular film; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; packing contents in an inside of the tubular film; after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag; and cutting the film at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side packed with the contents.

17. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding an elongated member on a film, the elongated member comprising an elongated zipper tape and an elongated tearing guide piece, the zipper comprising a first member comprising a belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped base and a second member comprising a belt-shaped body and a second engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped body and engageable with the first engagement portion, the belt-shaped base being extended in a width direction beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged, the tearing guide piece being provided on a surface of the belt-shaped base provided with the first engagement portion along a longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped base, the film having a length in a width direction that is more than twice as large as a length of the elongated member in the longitudinal direction, the elongated member being fed in the longitudinal direction so that the tearing guide piece faces the film and the belt-shaped base faces opposite the film; providing a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film to form an outer edge of a tab that allows the tearing guide piece to be pinched; bonding a protector covering the tab on the surface of the film; folding peripheral ends of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated member and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film into a tubular film; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; packing contents in an inside of the tubular film; after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag; and cutting the film at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side of the top portion packed with the contents.

18. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 13, further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.

19. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece are integrated.

20. The bag according to claim 2, further comprising: a cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide piece and the first face portion, the cut portion being configured to cut the first face portion and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.

21. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the bag body is made of a single film, the bag body being provided with a bonding portion formed by overlapping edges of the film located opposite with each other.

22. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of face portions further comprise a bottom face portion bonded with the first and the second face portions at peripheral ends thereof.

23. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of face portions comprise a pair of lateral face portions provided at side edges of the first and second face portions and facing each other through the first and second face portions, and the bottom face portion, and the lateral face portions are each interfolded along a bend line.

24. The bag according to claim 2, wherein a grip is provided in the bag body.

25. The film assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide piece and the film, the cut portion being configured to cut the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.

26. The film assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of additional films, one of peripheral ends of each of the additional films being bonded with the film in parallel to the elongated members.

27. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding the film assembly according to claim 10; folding peripheral ends of the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film into a tube; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel to the bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along the transverse direction of the film across the elongated member.

28. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 14, further comprising: after forming the bottom portion, packing contents in an inside of the film, which has been turned into the tubular film; and after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag, wherein in cutting the film, after forming the top portion, the film is cut at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side packed with the contents. located opposite a side of the top portion packed with the contents.

29. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 14, further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.

30. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 15, further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.

31. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 16, further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.

32. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 17, further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.

33. The bag according to claim 1, wherein a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line.

34. The bag according to claim 2, wherein a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line.

35. The film assembly according to claim 9, wherein a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line.

36. The film assembly according to claim 10, wherein a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line,

37. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 16, further comprising: providing a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece at a position adjacent to both ends of the cutting line.

38. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 17, further comprising: providing a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece at a position adjacent to both ends of the cutting line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0100] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a bag according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0101] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along 2-2 line in FIG. 1.

[0102] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 3-3 line in FIG. 1.

[0103] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a tab of the bag.

[0104] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a cut portion of the bag.

[0105] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a film assembly wound into a roll.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement of a machine for producing the bag using the film assembly.

[0107] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a bonding unit and a cutting unit.

[0108] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement of a machine for producing the bag without using the film assembly.

[0109] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a tab former.

[0110] FIG. 10B is a plan view schematically showing the tab former.

[0111] FIG. 11 schematically shows a protector installation unit and a cut-portion former.

[0112] FIG. 12 shows a device for producing the bag before being packed with content, which corresponds to FIG. 8.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view showing a bag according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0114] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a film assembly wound into a roll.

[0115] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement of a machine for producing the bag using the film assembly.

[0116] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a bonding unit and a cutting unit.

[0117] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement of a machine for producing the bag without using the film assembly.

[0118] FIG. 18 shows a device for producing the bag before being packed with content, which corresponds to FIG. 16.

[0119] FIG. 19, which corresponds to FIG. 3, is an illustration showing a cross section of a relevant part of a bag according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0120] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a tab of the bag.

[0121] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a cut portion of the bag.

[0122] FIG. 22 is a front elevational view showing a bag according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0123] FIG. 23 is a front elevational view showing a bag according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0124] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along 24-24 line in FIG. 23.

[0125] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a relevant part of an elongated member.

[0126] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a tab of the bag.

[0127] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a cut portion of the bag.

[0128] FIG. 28, which corresponds to FIG. 24, is an illustration showing a relevant part of a bag according to a modification of the invention.

[0129] FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of a tab of the bag.

[0130] FIG. 30, which corresponds to FIG. 6, is an illustration showing a film assembly according to another modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0131] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to attached drawings.

[0132] In the description of the exemplary embodiments, the same components will be denoted by the same reference signs and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0133] A first exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

[0134] A bag 1A according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0135] FIG. 1 shows an overall arrangement of the bag 1A. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the bag 1A.

[0136] Overall Arrangement of Bag 1A

[0137] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 1A includes a bag body 10A, an elongated member 2A provided on the bag body 10A, a tab 3, and a protector 4.

[0138] Bag Body 10A

[0139] The bag body 10A includes a pair of mutually facing face portions 11A, 11B (only the face portion 11A is shown in FIG. 1) provided by inwardly folding peripheral ends of a single film 11C at a part remote from the peripheral ends by a predetermined dimension, a bonding portion 12 provided by linearly bonding the folded and overlapped portion of the film 11C, and a top portion 13 and a bottom portion 14 orthogonal to the bonding portion 12.

[0140] The first face portion 11A is a surface on which the bonding portion 12 is not formed. The second face portion 11B is a surface on which the bonding portion 12 is formed.

[0141] The bonding portion 12 is a part at which the film 11C is back-bonded. The bonding portion 12 may be provided through butt-seaming (bonding the same face of the film 11C as shown in FIG. 2) or may be provided through envelope-seaming (i.e. bonding different faces of the film 11C).

[0142] An inner space of the bag body 10A is a housing space 10S for housing contents O (see FIG. 8).

[0143] The film 11C may be a film made of a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the usable thermoplastic resin include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and polypropylene (PP). PP may be any of homopolypropylene (HPP), random polypropylene (RPP) and block polypropylene (BPP).

[0144] The top portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 are provided by bonding inner faces of the pair of face portions 11A, 11B are bonded.

[0145] Elongated Member 2A

[0146] Specific structures of the elongated member 2A are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. A part of the elongated member 2A in the vicinity of the tab 3 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elongated member 2A includes a tearing guide piece 21 and a zipper tape 6 that are bonded to the first face portion 11A.

[0148] The cross-sectional profile of the tearing guide piece 21 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21 is rectangular in the illustrated example. However, the cross-sectional profile of the tearing guide piece 21 in the first exemplary embodiment is not necessarily rectangular but may be triangular or semicircular. Alternatively, the tearing guide piece 21 may be configured in a form of a cord.

[0149] The zipper tape 6 includes a first member 61 including a belt-shaped base 601 and a first engagement portion 611 continuous with the belt-shaped base 601, and a second member 62 including a belt-shaped body 602 and a second engagement portion 612 continuous with the belt-shaped body 602.

[0150] The first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 are mutually engageable. The width of the belt-shaped base 601 is larger than that of the belt-shaped body 602, so that, when the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 are engaged, a first end in the width direction (i.e. an end near the top portion) of the belt-shaped base 601 extends beyond that of the belt-shaped body 602. The extended part of the belt-shaped base 601 and the belt-shaped body 602 are bonded to the first face portion 11A with a surface provided with the first engagement portion 611 and a surface not provided with the second engagement portion 612, respectively.

[0151] The first engagement portion 611 is a female portion and the second engagement portion 612 is a male portion engageable with the female portion in an example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. However, the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 may alternatively be a male portion and a female portion, respectively.

Though only one pair of the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 is illustrated, a plurality of pairs of the first and second engagement portions may be provided.

[0152] Further, in addition to the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 as a combination of the male and female portions, a pair of mutually engaging hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B may be provided (see imaginary lines in FIG. 3). When the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 are provided by a combination of the pair of male and female portions and the two hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B, the hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B are provided opposite the extended part of the belt-shaped base 601 across the male and female portions, the hook-shaped portion 611B facing the extended part of the belt-shaped base 601 and the hook-shaped portion 612B facing the bottom portion 14. When the extended part of the belt-shaped base 601 is pulled upward in FIG. 3 and the belt-shaped body 602 is pulled downward in FIG. 3 while the male and female portions are engaged, a force (shear force) is applied on the belt-shaped base 601 and the belt-shaped body 602 in a direction away from each other within a plane, thereby mutually strongly engaging the hook-shaped portion 611B and the hook-shaped portion 612B in proportion to a tensile force to provide strong engagement between the male and female portions. In contrast, when the extended part of the belt-shaped base 601 and a part of the belt-shaped body 602 facing the extended part are pulled in a direction mutually away from each other, the male and female portions and the hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B are disengaged.

[0153] The belt-shaped base 601 is disposed between the second face portion 11B and the tearing guide piece 21 along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.

[0154] The materials for forming the tearing guide piece 21 and the zipper tape 6 are selected from among mutually incompatible resins. The incompatible resins are preferably a combination of low-density polyethylene resin and random polypropylene resin. Specifically, examples of the combination of incompatible resins include low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/random polypropylene (RPP), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/RPP (partially including m-LL), LDPE/homopolypropylene (HPP), LLDPE/HPP (partially including m-LL), LDPE/polystyrene (PS), LLDPE/PS (partially including m-LL), RPP/PS, HPP/PS, LDPE/polyethylene terephthalate (PET), LLDPE/PET, RPP/PET, HPP/PET, PS/PET, LDPE/nylon (Ny), LLDPE/Ny, RPP/Ny, HPP/Ny, and PS/Ny. Thus, interfacial delamination occurs at a bonding interface between the belt-shaped base 601 of the zipper tape 6 and the tearing guide piece 21.

[0155] Tab 3

[0156] The tab 3, which enables the tearing guide piece 21 to be pinched, is provided to a first end of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal direction.

[0157] The tab 3 includes an outer edge 31 defined by a cutting line 30 penetrating through the first end of each of the belt-shaped base 601 and the tearing guide piece 21 in the longitudinal direction and the first face portion 11A. In other words, the tab 3 is defined by the belt-shaped base 601, the tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A in a region defined by the outer edge 31.

[0158] The outer edge 31 is a C-shaped part whose opening faces a second end of the elongated member 2B. The shape of the outer edge 31 is not particularly limited as long as the outer edge 31 is capable of defining the outer profile of the tab 3 and may be designed in any manner (e.g. semi-circle) in addition to the C-shape. Though the cutting line 30 is formed in the tearing guide piece 21 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutting line 30 in the tearing guide piece 21 can be omitted by shifting the position of the C-shape defined by the cutting line 30 in the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.

[0159] A cutting area 32 for cutting the belt-shaped base 601 is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30 of the tab 3 at a position nearer to the second end of the elongated member 2A, the cutting area 32 intersecting the tearing guide piece in a width direction.

[0160] The cutting area 32 is disposed nearer to the second end of the belt-shaped base 22 with respect to the cutting line 30. Though the cutting area 32 is separated from the cutting line 30 in FIG. 4, the cutting area 32 may be continuous with the cutting line 30.

[0161] Protector 4

[0162] The protector 4, which covers the tab 3, is provided on a surface of the first face portion 11A provided with the belt-shaped base 601.

[0163] The protector 4 is made of a rectangular synthetic resin film. The material and shape of the protector 4 are not particularly limited in the first exemplary embodiment as long as the protector 4 is capable of covering the tab 3 to keep the housing space 10S of the bag 1A from being in communication with an exterior space of the bag 1A through the cutting line 30 defining the outer edge 31 of the tab 3. For instance, the shape of the protector 4 may be circular, ellipsoidal, triangular or the like. The protector 4 is bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 601 at an outer periphery thereof. In other words, the protector 4 is not wholly bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 601.

[0164] Cut Portion 33

[0165] A cut portion 33 is formed in the tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A at a position different from the tab 3 as shown in FIG. 1 (e.g. at the second end of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal direction).

[0166] A specific structure of the cut portion 33 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 5, the cut portion 33 is formed in the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 in a manner to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction. It should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed in the belt-shaped base 601.

[0168] In order to seal the cut portion 33, pressure may be applied to the belt-shaped base 601 from an inside and outside of the first face portion 11A. For instance, the belt-shaped base 601 may be squashed (i.e. pressed toward the first face portion 11A). It should be noted that the reference numeral 22C denotes an impression formed by the squashing.

[0169] Unsealing of Bag 1A

[0170] In order to unseal the above-described bag 1A after the contents are housed in the housing space 10S, the tab 3 is pulled in a direction away from the second face portion 11B, causing resistance in ripping the belt-shaped base 601. However, the resistance is reduced after the belt-shaped base 601 is torn apart at the cutting area 32. When the tab 3 is kept being pulled, the tearing guide piece 21, which is separated from the belt-shaped base 601, rips the first face portion 11A, unsealing the bag 1A along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21. When the unsealed part of the bag 1A reaches the cut portion 33, at which the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 are cut, the first face portion 11A is not ripped beyond the cut portion 33.

[0171] Film Assembly 5A

[0172] Next, a film assembly 5A will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0173] FIG. 6 shows an overall arrangement of the film assembly 5A wound into a roll.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 6, the film assembly 5A is provided by a series of the above-described bags 1A before the bonding portion 12, the top portion 13, and the bottom portion 14 are formed.

[0175] The film assembly 5A has a plurality of the elongated members 2B arranged mutually in parallel on a surface of the film 11C along a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of the film 11C.

[0176] Manufacturing Machine and Manufacturing Method of Bag

[0177] Next, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method of the bag according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

[0178] Manufacturing Machine 100 and Manufacturing Method of Bag Using Film Assembly 5A

[0179] Initially, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag using the film assembly 5A will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0180] FIG. 7 shows an overall arrangement of the bag manufacturing machine 100.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 7, the bag manufacturing machine 100 is configured to continuously manufacture a plurality of the bags 1A housing the contents therein using the film assembly 5A.

[0182] The bag manufacturing machine 100 includes: a feeder 101 for feeding the film assembly 5A; a cylindrical former 102 for folding and overlapping peripheral ends of the film 11C of the film assembly 5A; a back-sealing unit 103 for bonding the overlapped peripheral ends of the film 11C to form the bonding portion 12; a bonding unit 104 for bonding the folded part and an unfolded part of the film 11C of the film assembly 5A provided with the bonding portion 12 along a transverse direction orthogonal to the bonding portion 12; a cutting unit 105 provided below the bonding unit 104; a feed belt 106 for feeding the film assembly 5A, whose peripheral ends are overlapped, toward the bonding unit 104; and a contents-packing unit 107 for packing the contents in the bag.

[0183] The cylindrical former 102 extends in a top-bottom direction. The bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 are disposed below the cylindrical former 102. It should be noted that the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 are illustrated at close positions in FIG. 7 for illustrative purpose.

[0184] Specific structures of the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 are shown in FIG. 8.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 8, the bonding unit 104 includes a bottom former 104A and a top former 1048 for forming the bottom portion 14 and the top portion 13 of the bag 1A, respectively. The bottom former 104A and the top former 104B are integrated with a space 108S, in which the cutting unit 105 is disposed, being defined therebetween.

[0186] The top former 1048 and the top former 1048 each include a seal bar 108A and a seal bar 108B. The seal bar 108B is an integrated component common to the bottom former 104A and the top former 1048. The seal bar 108A and the seal bar 108B come close to each other to press the film 11C when the bottom portion 14 and the top portion 13 of the bag are formed, and move away from each other when the film 11C is descended.

[0187] The cutting unit 105, which is a device for cutting the film assembly 5A at a part between the top portion 13 of the bag at a forward side in the feeding direction of the film assembly 5A and the bottom portion 14 of the next bag, includes a cutter 105A and a cutter receiver 1058. The cutter receiver 1058 is made of rubber or the like.

[0188] A method for manufacturing the bag using the bag manufacturing machine 100 shown in FIG. 7 will be described below.

[0189] Initially, the film assembly 5A is fed to the cylindrical former 102 with the feeder 101. When the film assembly 5A is fed to the cylindrical former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner surface on which the elongated member 2A is disposed) to be partially overlapped. The overlapped portion of the film 11C is bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to form the linear bonding portion 12 and turn the film 11C into a tube.

[0190] The bottom former 104A bonds the unfolded part and folded part of the film 11C along the transverse direction orthogonal to the bonding portion 12 to form the linear bottom portion 14 of the bag.

[0191] Subsequently, the contents O is packed in the film 11C, which has been turned into a tubular film, using the contents-packing unit 107.

[0192] After the contents O is packed, the tubular film 11C is fed downward to a predetermined point, at which the top portion 13 is formed to the film 11C with the top former 1048.

[0193] Since the bottom former 104A and the top former 104B are integrated, the top portion 13 of the bag 1A at the forward side in the feeding direction of the film 11C is formed simultaneously with the bottom portion 14 of the next bag 1A.

[0194] Subsequently, the film 11C above the top portion 13 is cut using the cutting unit 105.

[0195] The above steps are repeated to continuously manufacture the bag 1A with the contents O being packed.

[0196] Manufacturing Machine 200 and Manufacturing Method of Bag without Using Film Assembly

[0197] Next, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag without using the film assembly will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0198] FIG. 9 shows an overall arrangement of the machine for producing the bag without using the film assembly.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 9, a manufacturing machine 200 includes: an elongated-member attachment unit 201 for attaching the elongated member 2A on the film 11C;

[0200] a tab former 202 for providing the tab 3 on the film 11C; a protector installation unit 203 for covering the tab 3 with the protector 4; a cut-portion former 204 for forming the cut portion 33 in the elongated member 2A; and the cylindrical former 102, the back-sealing unit 103, the bonding unit 104, the cutting unit 105, the feed belt 106 and the contents-packing unit 107 shown in FIG. 7.

[0201] The elongated-member attachment unit 201 includes an elongated-member feeding mechanism 205 for feeding the elongated member 2A on the film 11C, and an elongated-member bonding mechanism 206 for bonding the elongated member 2A, which has been fed on the film 11C, onto the film 11C.

[0202] The elongated-member feeding mechanism 205 is configured to feed the elongated member 2A, which is formed in advance through extrusion molding or the like, along the longitudinal direction so that the tearing guide piece 21 faces the film 11C.

[0203] The elongated-member bonding mechanism 206, which is configured to bond the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped body 602, and a part of the belt-shaped base 601 onto the film 11C (see FIG. 3), includes a pair of seal bars 206A, 206B oppositely disposed across the film 11C and the elongated member 2A. These seal bars 206A, 206B come close to each other in bonding the elongated member 2A onto the film 11C and move away from each other after the bonding is completed.

[0204] The seal bars 206A, 206B each includes a sealing unit such as a heat-sealer, and an ultrasonic sealer. It should be noted that an adhesive is usable in bonding the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped body 602, and a part of the belt-shaped base 601 onto the film 11C. In this case, the adhesive applied in advance at a predetermined part may be pressed with a pair of bars.

[0205] Specific structure of the tab former 202 is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0206] As shown in FIG. 10A, the tab former 202 is a cutting unit, which includes a blade 202C including a penetration blade 202A and a cutting blade 202B whose cutting depth is adjustable relative to the penetration blade 202A, and a receiver base 202D for receiving the blade 202C.

[0207] The penetration blade 202A is a blade configured to penetrate through the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped base 601 and the film 11C to form the cutting line 30. The cutting blade 202B is a blade whose cutting depth with respect to the penetration blade 202A is adjusted so that the cutting blade 202B only cuts the belt-shaped base 601 without penetrating through the tearing guide piece 21 at a portion for the tearing guide piece 21 and the belt-shaped base 601 to be bonded. A cut amount of the penetration blade 202A is greater than a total of a thickness of the laminated tearing guide piece 21 and belt-shaped base 601 and a thickness of the film 11C. The cutting depth of the cutting blade 202B is the same as the thickness of the belt-shaped base 601.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 10B, the penetration blade 202A has the same C-shaped configuration (in a plan view) as the cutting line 30 of the tab 3, and the cutting blade 202B has the same linear shape as the cutting area 32.

[0209] Structures of the protector installation unit 203 and the cut-portion former 204 are shown in FIG. 11.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 11, the protector installation unit 203 includes a film placing unit 203A for placing the protector 4 to cover the tab 3, and a bonding mechanism 203B for bonding the periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the elongated member 2A.

[0211] The film placing unit 203A, which is a device with a sucking unit for holding the protector 4, is movable between a work position (directly above the tab 3) and a retracted position (off the tab 3).

[0212] The bonding mechanism 203B includes a seal portion 203C and a seal receiver 203D disposed across the elongated member 2A and the film 11C. The seal portion 203C and the seal receiver 203D are movable between a work position for bonding the protector 4 onto the elongated member 2A and the film 11C and a retracted position located off from the protector 4. The seal portion 203C is provided with a concave portion 203E corresponding to a corner of the elongated member 2A at the second end in order to sufficiently bond the corner and the film 11C with the protector 4. The seal portion 203C includes a sealing unit such as a heat-sealer, and an ultrasonic sealer.

[0213] The cut-portion former 204, which is movable between a work position at the second end of the elongated member 2A and a retracted position located off from the second end, includes a cutter body 204A for forming the cut portion 33 in the film 11C and the tearing guide piece 21, and a sealer 204B for squashing the belt-shaped base 601 over the cut portion 33 formed by the cutter body 204A to seal the cut portion 33.

[0214] The cutter body 204A includes a cutter 204C and a cutter receiver 204D.

[0215] The sealer 204B includes a pressing unit 204E with a projecting portion at an end and a receiver base 204F for receiving the pressing unit 204E. An impression 22C of squashing remains on the belt-shaped base 22 after being pressed by the pressing unit 204E.

[0216] In order to manufacture the bag 1A with the bag manufacturing machine 200 shown in FIG. 9, the elongated member 2B is delivered to a central portion of the film 11C by the elongated-member attachment unit 201 to place the elongated member 2A on a surface of the film 11C. Further, a first peripheral end of a second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C with the second-film-bonding unit 207.

[0217] Subsequently, the tab 3 is formed in the film 11C and the elongated member 2A by the tab former 202. In the tab former 202, the blade 202C and the receiver base 202D are moved toward the elongated member 2A and the film 11C, respectively. Then, the penetration blade 202A penetrates through the elongated member 2A and the film 11C to form the cutting line 30. Simultaneously, the cutting blade 202B linearly cuts the tearing guide piece 21 and the film 11C to form the cutting area 32.

[0218] Subsequently, after the tab 3 is covered with the protector 4 using the film placing unit 203A, the bonding mechanism 203B bonds a periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the elongated member 2A.

[0219] Further, the cut-portion former 204 forms the cut portion 33 in the belt-shaped base 601 of the elongated member 2A and the film 11C.

[0220] Subsequent steps are the same as those in the manufacturing method using the film assembly 5A.

[0221] Specifically, the film 11C provided with the elongated member 2A is fed to the cylindrical former 102. At the cylindrical former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2A) to be partially overlapped, the overlapped portion of the film 11C being bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to form the bonding portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube.

[0222] Then, after the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A is formed by the bottom former 104A, the contents O is packed in the film 11C, which has been turned into a tubular film, using the contents-packing unit 107.

[0223] After the contents O is packed in the tubular film 11C, the film 11C is bonded at a position above the packed contents O to form the top portion 13. Further, the film 11C is cut at a part between the bottom portion 14 and the top portion 13 to produce an independent bag 1A.

[0224] Manufacturing Machine 300 and Manufacturing Method of Unpacked Bag Using Film Assembly 5A

[0225] A machine and a method for manufacturing an unpacked bag 1A using the film assembly 5A will be described below with reference to FIG. 12.

[0226] A basic structure of a manufacturing machine 300 for the unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 100 shown in FIG. 7 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not required and the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 have structures different from those of the example shown in FIG. 8.

[0227] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag manufacturing machine 300.

[0228] As shown in FIG. 12, the bag manufacturing machine 300 includes a bonding unit 304 and the cutting unit 105.

[0229] The bonding unit 304 includes no top former 104B but only has the bottom former 104A for forming the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A.

[0230] The basic structure of the manufacturing machine 300 for the unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 100 shown in FIG. 10 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not required and the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 have structures different from those of the example shown in FIG. 11.

[0231] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag manufacturing machine.

[0232] As shown in FIG. 12, the bag manufacturing machine includes a bonding unit 304. The bonding unit 304 shown in FIG. 12 includes no top former 1048 but only has the bottom former 104A for forming the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A.

[0233] The cutting unit 105 is adjacently provided below the bottom former 104A.

[0234] In order to manufacture the bag 1A using the film assembly 5A, in the same manner as in example shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2A) and the overlapped portion is bonded to form the bonding portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube. The bottom former 104A bonds the unfolded part and folded part of the film 11C to form the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A. Subsequently, the film 11C is cut in parallel to the bottom portion 14. Then, the film 11C is linearly cut by the cutting unit 105 in parallel to the bottom portion 14. The contents are housed in the bag 1A thus manufactured in a separate process with no top portion 13, and, subsequently, the top portion is formed on the bag 1A using a sealer (not shown).

[0235] The first exemplary embodiment offers the following advantages.

[0236] The elongated member 2A has the elongated tearing guide piece 21, the zipper tape 6, and the tab 3. The tab 3 includes the outer edge 31 defined by the cutting line 30 penetrating through the belt-shaped base 601 of the zipper tape 6 and the first face portion 11A of the bag body 10B. The cutting area 32 for cutting the belt-shaped base 601 is provided at a part of the tab 3 adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30. The first face portion 11A is provided with the protector 4 covering the tab 3. Accordingly, before the bag 1A having the zipper tape 6 is unsealed, the housing space 10S is kept from being in communication with the exterior space through the cutting line 30, maintaining excellent sealability. Further, since the belt-shaped base 601 and the belt-shaped body 602 of the zipper tape 6 are bonded to the first face portion 11A, the contents O can be packed in the bag 1B without releasing the engagement between the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612.

[0237] The cut portion 33 is formed through the tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A at a position different from the location of the tab 3, and the cut portion 33 traverse the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction of the tearing guide piece 21. Accordingly, the cut portion 33 defines a terminal of the portion to be ripped by the tearing guide piece 21, thus keeping the first face portion 11A from being ripped by the tearing guide piece 21 more than necessary. The cut portion 33 only cuts the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 and does not cut the belt-shaped base 22. Accordingly, the housing space 10S of the bag body 10A is kept from being in communication with the exterior space through the cut portion 33 before the bag body 10A is unsealed.

[0238] The film assembly 5A, which includes a plurality of the mutually spaced apart elongated members 2A on one surface of the film 11C, the tab 3 provided through the elongated member 2A and the film 11C, and the protector 4, can be wound into a roll, allowing easy transportation of the film assembly 5A. Further, since the length of the film 11C along the longitudinal direction of the elongated member 2A is more than twice as large as the length of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal direction, the film 11C can be turned into a tube by folding the peripheral ends of the film 11C inward from both ends of the elongated member 2A and bonding the overlapped portion to form the linear bonding portion 12.

[0239] In an example of the bag manufacturing method, the unpacked bag 1A can be continuously manufactured using the film assembly 5A by: feeding the film assembly 5A; folding the peripheral ends of the film 11C inward (i.e. toward inner side provided with the elongated member 2A); bonding the overlapped portion to form the bonding portion 12 and turn the film 11C into a tube; bonding the folded and unfolded parts of the film 11C along the transverse direction orthogonal to the bonding portion 12 to form the bottom portion 14 of the bag; and cutting the film 11C at a position opposite the bottom portion 14 across the elongated member 2A along the transverse direction of the film 11C in parallel to the bottom portion 14.

[0240] According to an example of the bag manufacturing method, the bag 1A packed with the contents can be continuously formed by: packing the contents O in an interior of the film 11C, which has been turned into a tube with the bottom portion 14 being formed; and bonding the folded and unfolded parts of the film 11C at a position remote from the bottom portion 14 to form the top portion 13 of the bag. In addition, since the elongated member 2A, which is provided on one surface of the film 11C, is spaced by a gap from the folded part of the film 11C, the contents can be delivered into the interior of the film 11C through the gap, allowing smooth packing process.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0241] Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.

[0242] Overall Arrangement of Bag 1B

[0243] FIG. 13 shows a bag 1B according to the second exemplary embodiment. The bag 1B according to the second exemplary embodiment is the same as the bag 1A according to the first exemplary embodiment except that a top portion 130 and a bottom portion 140 are structured differently from the top portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 13, the bag 1B includes the top portion 130 and the bottom portion 140.

[0245] Two grips 11F are provided in the top portion 130.

[0246] The configuration of the grip 11F is not particularly limited as long as the grip 11F can be held by hand. For instance, the grip may be suitably provided by: one or more hole-shaped grips provided to an upper end; a string inserted through the upper end of the bag body 10B; a grip member made of resin, metal or the like bonded to the upper end of the bag; or the like.

[0247] The bottom portion 140 is provided with a bottom face portion 11D. The bottom face portion 11D helps the bag 1B to stand upright while the contents O is housed in the housing space 10S.

[0248] The bottom face portion 11D is formed by bonding mutually opposite peripheral ends of the single second film 11E to an inner surface of each of the pair of face portions 11A, 11B. While the bag 1A is folded, the second film 11E is two-folded (i.e. folded in two). In contrast, while the bag 1A stands by oneself, a part of the bottom face portion 11D except for the periphery bonded to the pair of face portions 11A, 11B intersects the pair of face portions 11A, 11B.

[0249] The bottom portion 140 is a part at which the pair of face portions 11A, 11B and the second film 11E are bonded. While the bag 1B is folded, the bottom portion 140 shows an arc-shaped profile, where a dimension m of the bottom portion 140 along the longitudinal direction of the bonding portion 12 is small at a central portion at which the bonding portion 12 is formed, and increase from the central portion toward side edges of the bag body 10B. This is so designed that the two-folded second film 11E is unfolded to form the flat bottom face portion 11D when, for instance, the contents (not shown in FIG. 14) is packed in the housing space 10S of the bag 1B or the like to move sides of the bottom portion 140 adjacent to the pair of face portions 11A, 11B away from each other.

Film Assembly 5B

[0250] Next, a film assembly 5B will be described below with reference to FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the film assembly 5B has a plurality of the elongated members 2A arranged mutually in parallel on one surface of the film 11C along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the film 11C. The first peripheral end of the two-folded second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C at a part between the elongated members 2A.

[0251] The second film 11E is disposed at the central portion of the film 11C while being two-folded. The second film 11E is two-folded so that mutually facing peripheral ends are aligned, one of the peripheral ends being bonded to the film 11C.

[0252] The central portion of the film 11C, on which the elongated member 2A and the second film 11E are provided, corresponds to the first face portion 11A. Both side portions of the film 11C across the elongated member 2A and the second film 11E correspond to the second face portion 11B.

[0253] Manufacturing Machine and Manufacturing Method of Bag

[0254] Next, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method of the bag according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18.

[0255] Manufacturing Machine 400 and Manufacturing Method of Bag Using Film Assembly 5B

[0256] Initially, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag using the film assembly 5B will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0257] FIG. 15 shows an overall arrangement of the bag manufacturing machine 400.

[0258] The bag manufacturing machine 400 includes a bonding unit 404 and a cutting unit 405 whose structures are different from those in the first exemplary embodiment, in addition to the feeder 101, the cylindrical former 102, the back-sealing unit 103, the feed belt 106 and the contents-packing unit 107 in the first exemplary embodiment. It should be noted that the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405 are closely illustrated in FIG. 15 for illustrative purpose.

[0259] Specific structures of the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405 are shown in FIG. 16.

[0260] As shown in FIG. 16, the bonding unit 404 includes a bottom former 404A and a top former 404B for forming the bottom portion 140 and the top portion 130 of the bag 1B, respectively. The bottom former 404A and the top former 404B are vertically arranged.

[0261] The top former 404B is configured to form the top portion 130 on the bag 1B at the front side of the film assembly 5B in the feeding direction. The bottom former 404A is configured to form the bottom portion 140 having the bottom face portion 11D on the bag 1B located next to the bag 1B at the front end.

[0262] The bottom former 404A includes a seal bar 111 for bonding a second peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C. A seal receiver 112 is disposed at a side at which the first peripheral end of the second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C in advance.

[0263] The seal bar 111 includes a film-abutment portion 111A for bonding the second peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C, and a spacer 111B for keeping a central portion 11E1 of the second film 11E from being bonded to the film 11C.

[0264] The seal bar 111 includes a sealing unit such as a heat-sealer and an ultrasonic sealer for bonding the film 11C with the peripheral end of the second film 11E. The specific structure of the spacer 111B is not particularly limited as long as the spacer 111B does not transfer the heat or ultrasonic vibrations of the seal bar 111 to the film 11C and the second film 11E. When, for instance, the seal bar 111 includes a heat-sealing bar, the spacer 111B may be made of a material that does not easily transfer heat.

[0265] In the second exemplary embodiment, a thickness of a film-overlapped portion corresponding to the bottom portion 140 is different from a thickness of a film-overlapped portion corresponding to the top portion 130. Specifically, the bottom portion 140, at which the bottom face portion 11D is formed by bonding the peripheral ends of the second film 11E to the film 11C, total four layers of the films are overlapped (i.e. two layers of the overlapped tubular film 11C plus two layers of the overlapped two-folded second film 11E).

[0266] Mutually facing portions of the tubular film 11C are bonded when the top portion 130 is formed by the top former 104B, resulting in two layers of the overlapped films. Thus, separate units are used for the top former 404B and the bottom former 404A.

[0267] The cutting unit 405 includes a cutting mechanism 4050 for cutting the film 11C between a part of the film 11C to be the bag 1B, whose top portion 130 has been formed by the top former 404B, and a part corresponding to a bag (not shown in FIG. 16) located at the front with respect to the bag 1B, and a punching mechanism 4051 for punching the top portion 130 of the bag at the front to form the grip 11F.

[0268] The cutting mechanism 4050 includes a cutter 105A, and a cutter receiver 105B.

[0269] The punching mechanism 4051 includes a punching blade 107A for punching the top portion 130 along the outer profile of the grip 11F, and a punching-blade receiver 107B. The cutter receiver 105B and the punching-blade receiver 107B are provided by a single rubber block 4052.

[0270] The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A are housed in a common case 4053. The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A are configured to advance toward the rubber block 4052 to cut or punch the film 11C. The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A may be simultaneously advanced or the punching blade 107A may be advanced first.

[0271] A method for manufacturing the bag using the bag manufacturing machine 400 will be described below.

[0272] Initially, as in the first exemplary embodiment, the film assembly 5B is fed to the cylindrical former 102 by the feeder 101, the peripheral ends of the film 11C of the film assembly 5B being folded by the cylindrical former 102 to be partially overlapped. The overlapped portion of the film 11C is bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to turn the film 11C into a tube.

[0273] Then, non-bonded peripheral end of the second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C with the bottom former 404A to form the bottom face portion 11D of the bag 1B.

[0274] Subsequently, as in the first exemplary embodiment, after the contents O is packed in the tubular film 11C by the contents-packing unit 107, the top portion 130 is formed to the film 11C with the top former 404B.

[0275] Subsequently, after the contents O is packed in the tubular film 11C by the contents-packing unit 107, the top portion 130 is formed to the film 11C with the top former 104B.

[0276] The top portion 130 of the bag at the front in the feeding direction of the film 11C and the bottom portion 140 of the next bag may be formed simultaneously or with a time lag.

[0277] Then, the grip 11F is formed to the top portion 130 with the punching mechanism 4051 and the film 11C is cut by the cutting mechanism 4050 at a part above the top portion 130.

[0278] The above steps are repeated to continuously manufacture the bag 1A the contents O is packed.

[0279] Manufacturing Machine 500 and Manufacturing Method of Bag without Using Film Assembly

[0280] Next, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag without using the film assembly will be described below with reference to FIG. 17.

[0281] FIG. 17 shows an overall arrangement of the machine for producing the bag without using the film assembly.

[0282] As shown in FIG. 17, the manufacturing machine 500 includes: the elongated-member attachment unit 201, the tab former 202, the protector installation unit 203, the cut-portion former 204, the cylindrical former 102, the back-sealing unit 103, the feed belt 106, and the contents-packing unit 107 described in the first exemplary embodiment; the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405 shown in FIG. 15; and the second-film-bonding unit 207 for bonding a peripheral end of the second film 11E to the film 11C.

[0283] The second-film-bonding unit 207 includes a film holder 208 for placing the second film 11E, which has been preliminarily two-folded, at the central portion of the film 11C at a position remote from the elongated member 2A, and a sealer 209 for bonding the peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C.

[0284] The sealer 209 includes a seal bar (not shown) disposed below the film 11C, and a seal receiver 209A disposed opposite the seal bar across the film 11C. The seal bar may include a sealing unit such as a heat-sealer and an ultrasonic sealer. Alternatively, the seal bar may be configured to bond the peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C with an adhesive.

[0285] In order to manufacture the bag 1B with the bag manufacturing machine 500, the elongated member 2B is delivered to the central portion of the film 11C by the elongated-member attachment unit 201 to place the elongated member 2A on a surface of the film 11C. Further, the peripheral end of the second film 11E is bonded to the central portion of the film 11C with the second-film-bonding unit 207.

[0286] Subsequently, the tab 3 is formed in the film 11C and the elongated member 2A by the tab former 202.

[0287] Then, after the tab 3 is covered with the protector 4 using the film placing unit 203A, the bonding mechanism 203B bonds a periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the elongated member 2A.

[0288] Further, the cut-portion former 204 forms the cut portion 33 in the belt-shaped base 601 of the elongated member 2A and the film 11C.

[0289] Subsequent steps are the same as those in the manufacturing method using the film assembly 5B.

[0290] Specifically, the film 11C provided with the elongated member 2A is fed to the cylindrical former 102. At the cylindrical former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2A) to be partially overlapped, the overlapped portion of the film 11C being bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to form the bonding portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube.

[0291] Then, after the bottom portion 140 of the bag 1A is formed by the bottom former 144A, the contents O is packed in the film 11C, which has been turned into a tube, using the contents-packing unit 107.

[0292] The film 11C is bonded at a position above the packed contents O to form the top portion 130, in which the grip 11F is formed. Further, the film 11C is cut at a part between the bottom portion 140 and the top portion 130 to form an independent bag 1B.

[0293] Manufacturing Machine 600 and Manufacturing Method of Unpacked Bag Using Film Assembly 5B

[0294] A machine and a method for manufacturing an unpacked bag 1B using the film assembly 5B will be described below with reference to FIG. 18.

[0295] The basic structure of a manufacturing machine 600 for the unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 400 shown in FIG. 15 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not required and the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405 have structures different from those of the example shown in FIG. 16.

[0296] FIG. 18 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag manufacturing machine 600.

[0297] As shown in FIG. 18, the bag manufacturing machine 600 includes a bonding unit 604 and the cutting unit 605.

[0298] The bonding unit 604 includes no top former 404B but only has the bottom former 104A for forming the bottom portion 140 of the bag 1B.

[0299] The cutting unit 605 includes the cutting mechanism 4050 and has no punching mechanism 4051.

[0300] In order to manufacture the bag 1B before the contents are packed using the film assembly 5B, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2B) using the cylindrical former 102 and the overlapped portion is bonded to form the bonding portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube.

[0301] Then, the second peripheral end of the two-folded second film 11E is bonded to an inner surface of the film 11C by the bottom former 404A to form the bottom portion 140. Subsequently, the film 11C is cut by the cutting unit 405 in parallel to the bottom portion 140.

[0302] The second exemplary embodiment offers the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0303] The bag body 10B includes mutually facing pair of face portions 11A, 11B and the bottom face portion 11D bonded to the pair of face portions 11A, 11B at peripheral ends thereof. It is expectable that the bag 1B can stand upright while the contents O is housed in the housing space 10S, due to the presence of the bottom face portion 11D.

[0304] Since the grip 11F is provided to the bag body 10B, the bag 1B can be easily held.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

[0305] Next, a bag 1C according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.

[0306] The third exemplary embodiment is the same as the first exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the elongated member.

[0307] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the bag 1C includes the bag body 10A, an elongated member 2C provided on the bag body 10A, the tab 3, and the protector 4.

[0308] Elongated Member 2C

[0309] The elongated member 2C includes the tearing guide piece 21 and the zipper tape 7.

[0310] The zipper tape 7 includes the first member 61 and a second member 72 including a belt-shaped body 702 and the second engagement portion 612 continuous with the belt-shaped body 702. The zipper tape 7 is made of the same material as the zipper tape 6 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0311] The belt-shaped body 702 includes a belt-shaped body portion 702A bonded to the first face portion 11A and provided with the second engagement portion 612, and a thin portion 702B formed at an end of the body portion 702A near the top portion 13, the thin portion 702B being thinner than the body portion 702A. The thin portion 702B has a surface bonded with the tearing guide piece 21, the surface being orthogonal to an end face of the body portion 702A facing the top portion 13, the end surface of the body portion 702A guiding a ripping movement of the tearing guide piece 21. It should be noted that the thickness of the body portion 702A may alternatively be the same as the thickness of the thin portion 702B. In this case, a projecting portion for guiding the ripping direction of the tearing guide piece 21 may be provided on the body portion 702A. Further alternatively, the tearing guide piece 21 may be laminated on a flat body portion 702A without providing the projecting portion. In other words, the attachment structure of the tearing guide piece 21 is not limited as long as the tearing guide piece 21 is provided to the first face portion 11A through the belt-shaped body 702.

[0312] It should be noted that, in addition to or in place of the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612 as a combination of the male and female portions, a pair of mutually engaging hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B may be provided (see imaginary lines in FIG. 19) in the third exemplary embodiment.

[0313] Tab 3

[0314] The tab 3 has the C-shaped outer edge 31 at a first end of the elongated member 2C. The outer edge 31, whose opening faces the second end of the elongated member 2C, is defined by the cutting line 30 penetrating through the belt-shaped base 601, the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped body 702, and the first face portion 11A. The cutting area 32 is provided adjacent to a part of the belt-shaped base 601 adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30 near the second end of the elongated member 2C.

[0315] Cut Portion 33

[0316] A second end of the elongated member 2B in the longitudinal direction is shown in FIG. 21.

[0317] As shown in FIG. 21, the cut portion 33 is formed at the second end of the elongated member 2C.

[0318] The cut portion 33 penetrates through the first face portion 11A, the belt-shaped body 702, and the tearing guide piece 21 and extends to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction. It should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed in the belt-shaped base 601.

[0319] The machine and method for manufacturing the bag 1C according to the third exemplary embodiment are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. The third exemplary embodiment offers the same advantages as those of the first exemplary embodiment.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0320] Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 22.

[0321] The fourth exemplary embodiment is the same as the first exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the bag body.

[0322] As shown in FIG. 22, the bag 1D includes a bag body 10D, the elongated member 2A provided on the bag body 10D, the tab 3, and the protector 4.

[0323] The bag body 10D, which is generally called as a gusset bag, includes the pair of facing face portions 11A, 11B, a pair of lateral face portions 11G that are provided at side edges of the pair of face portions 11A, 11B and are opposed across the pair of face portions 11A, 11B, and a bottom face portion 11H. The lateral face portions 11G and the bottom face portion 11H are each interfolded along a bend line. The bag body 10D includes the top portion 130 having the grip 11F.

[0324] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the pair of face portions 11A, 11B and the pair of lateral face portions 11G may be made of a single film while the bottom face portion 11H is made of another single film. Alternatively, the first face portion 11A, the second face portion 11B, one of the lateral face portions 11G, and the other of the lateral face portions 11G may be each made of a single film, and the bottom face portion 11H may be made of another single film.

[0325] The machine and method for manufacturing the bag 1D according to the fourth exemplary embodiment are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. The fourth exemplary embodiment offers the same advantages as those of the first exemplary embodiment.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

[0326] Next, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27.

[0327] The fifth exemplary embodiment is the same as the first exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the elongated member.

[0328] FIG. 23 shows an overall arrangement of the bag 1E.

[0329] As shown in FIG. 23, the bag 1E includes the bag body 10A, an elongated member 2E provided on the bag body 10A, the tab 3, and the protector 4.

[0330] Elongated Member 2E

[0331] Specific structure of the elongated member 2E is shown in FIGS. 24 to 27.

[0332] FIGS. 24 and 25 each show an entirety of the elongated member 2E.

[0333] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the elongated member 2E includes the tearing guide piece 21 directly bonded to the first face portion 11A and a plurality of (two in the figures) belt-shaped bases 22 juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.

[0334] The belt-shaped base 22 is made of the same material as the zipper tape 6. It should be noted that the two belt-shaped bases 22 may be made of a flexible synthetic resin, which facilitates insertion of a hand into the interior of the bag body 10A through the gap created between the two belt-shaped bases 22.

[0335] The belt-shaped bases 22 each include a plate portion 22A disposed opposite the first face portion 11A across the tearing guide piece 21, and a projecting portion 22B integrated with the plate portion 22A. The projecting portion 22B is bonded to the first face portion 11A.

[0336] The belt-shaped bases 22 are adjacently disposed so that the plate portions 22A are close to each other and the projecting portions 22B are remote from each other.

[0337] Tab 3

[0338] A first end of the elongated member 2E is shown in FIG. 26.

[0339] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the tab 3 includes the outer edge 31 defined by the cutting line 30 penetrating through the first end of the belt-shaped base 22 and the tearing guide piece 21 in the longitudinal direction and the first face portion 11A. In other words, the tab 3 is defined by the belt-shaped base 22, the tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A in the region defined by the outer edge 31.

[0340] The cutting area 32 for cutting the belt-shaped base 22 is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30, the cutting area 32 intersecting the tearing guide piece 21 in a width direction.

[0341] The cutting area 32 is disposed closer to the second end of the belt-shaped base 22 with respect to the cutting line 30.

[0342] Protector 4

[0343] The protector 4 is bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22. The bonding structure of the protector 4 to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22 are not particularly limited as long as the protector 4 is capable of covering the tab 3 to keep the housing space 10S of the bag 1A from being in communication with an exterior space of the bag 1A through the cutting line 30. For instance, as shown in FIG. 25, a periphery 41 of the protector 4 may be bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22 to cover the tab 3. However, the surface of the protector 4 facing the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22 is not entirely bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22. For instance, an outer peripheral end of the part of the protector 4 covering the tab 3 is bonded to the first face portion to keep the housing space 10S of the bag 1A from being in communication with the exterior space of the bag through the cutting line 30 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 25.

[0344] The protector 4 is suitably bonded to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22 through a known process using heat-sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesive, or the like.

[0345] Cut Portion 33

[0346] As shown in FIG. 23, the cut portion 33 is formed at a position different from the tearing guide piece 21 and the tab 3 of the first face portion 11A (e.g. at the second end of the elongated member 2E in the longitudinal direction).

[0347] A specific structure of the cut portion 333 is shown in FIG. 27.

[0348] As shown in FIG. 27, the cut portion 33 cuts through the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 and extends to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction. It should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed in the belt-shaped base 22.

[0349] In order to seal the cut portion 33, pressure may be applied to the belt-shaped base 22 from an inside and outside of the first face portion 11A. For instance, the belt-shaped bases 22 may be pressed to be squashed toward the first face portion 11A. The gap between the two belt-shaped bases 22 is closed by pressing and squashing the two belt-shaped base 22 toward the first face portion 11A. Accordingly, the interior of the bag body 10A is not in communication with the exterior through the cut portion 33. It should be noted that the gap between the belt-shaped base 22 may be closed in advance by a film or the like (not shown) as necessary.

[0350] Unsealing of Bag 1E

[0351] According to the above-described bag 1E, when the tab 3 is pulled in a direction away from the second face portion 11B after the contents are housed in the housing space, the tearing guide piece 21, which is separated from the two belt-shaped bases 22, rips the first face portion 11A, unsealing the bag 1A along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.

[0352] After the bag is unsealed, a gap is created between the adjoining belt-shaped bases 22, through which a hand can be inserted, thus easily taking out the contents O housed in the bag body 10A.

[0353] The film assembly, manufacturing method and manufacturing machine of the bag according to the fifth exemplary embodiment are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. The fifth exemplary embodiment offers the same advantages as those in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0354] Modifications

[0355] It should be noted that the scope of the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but encompasses modifications and improvements as long as the modifications and improvements are compatible with an object of the invention.

[0356] For instance, two belt-shaped bases 22 are prepared and the tearing guide piece 21 is directly bonded to the first face portion 11A to form the elongated member 2E in the fifth exemplary embodiment. However, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the elongated member 2F includes a belt-shaped sheet 20 bonded to the first face portion 11A, the tearing guide piece 21 provided on the belt-shaped sheet 20, and the belt-shaped base 22 disposed along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21 in some embodiments of the invention. In other words, the tearing guide piece 21 is indirectly provided to the first face portion 11A through the belt-shaped sheet 20.

[0357] The protector 4, which is provided only at a part covering the tab 3 in the above-described exemplary embodiments, runs the entire length of the belt-shaped bases 22, 601 along the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped bases 22, 601 in some embodiments of the invention. For instance, as shown in FIG. 30, the protector 4, which is in a form of an elongated component, is provided on the belt-shaped base 601 to extend from the first end to the second end of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal direction in some embodiments.

[0358] Though the film assemblies 5A, 5B are each wound into a roll in the above exemplary embodiments, the film assemblies 5A, 5B are folded in some embodiments of the invention.

[0359] Further, though the bag bodies 10A, 10B each have the bonding portion 12 provided by overlapping the mutually opposite peripheral ends of the single film 11C, the bag bodies 10A, 10B have the bonding portion 12 provided by folding edges of the single film 11C at positions remote from the edges by the same dimension, and bonding the overlapped periphery of the two-folded edges in some embodiments of the invention.