SIDE-GUSSETED POUCH

Abstract

Provided is a side-gusseted pouch that reduces occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of a lower end coupling portion of a side gusset film. A side-gusseted pouch in which in at least one of side gusset films on right and left sides, a lower side inclined edge portion includes a folding guide portion and a lower end side connecting portion that connects a lower end of the folding guide portion and a lower end coupling portion, and the lower end side connecting portion connects the lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end coupling portion such that the lower end coupling portion is located below a first imaginary intersection point at which a central imaginary line passing through an upper end coupling portion and the lower end coupling portion intersects a folding imaginary line defined by the folding guide portion.

Claims

1. A side-gusseted pouch, comprising: a front side film; a rear side film; and side gusset films on both right and left sides disposed between the front side film and the rear side film and to be heat-sealed to the front side film and the rear side film by a side seal, wherein the side gusset films each include a front side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the front side film at the side seal, a rear side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the rear side film at the side seal, and a non-sealing region that is a region inside the front side sealing region and the rear side sealing region, the non-sealing region includes a front side outer edge that is a boundary with the front side sealing region and a rear side outer edge that is a boundary with the rear side sealing region, the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge each include a base edge portion, the base edge portion of the front side outer edge and the base edge portion of the rear side outer edge being disposed spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, an upper side inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end coupling portion coupling upper ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, and a lower side inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end coupling portion coupling lower ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, in at least one of the side gusset films on right and left sides, the lower side inclined edge portion includes a folding guide portion that guides folding of each of the side gusset films when a liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and a lower end side connecting portion that connects a lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end coupling portion, and the lower end side connecting portion connects the lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end coupling portion such that the lower end coupling portion is located below a first imaginary intersection point at which a central imaginary line passing through the upper end coupling portion and the lower end coupling portion intersects a folding imaginary line defined by the folding guide portion.

2. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the folding guide portion is formed as a linear portion that is inclined closer to a side of the central imaginary line toward a lower side.

3. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the folding guide portion is formed continuous with the lower end of the base edge portion.

4. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the lower end side connecting portion is formed as a curved portion which is convex toward a side of the central imaginary line.

5. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein a vertical distance between a second imaginary intersection point at which the folding imaginary line intersects the base edge portion and the first imaginary intersection point is defined as H1, a vertical distance between the first imaginary intersection point and the lower end coupling portion is defined as H2, and the lower end side connecting portion is formed with H2/H1 of 0.1 or greater.

6. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the side gusset films each include a central folded portion obtained by folding each of the side gusset films in a convex shape toward a pouch inner side along the central imaginary line.

7. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, further comprising a spout to be attached to a side gusset film of the side gusset films, wherein the spout is attached to a region other than a region between the lower side inclined edge portion of the front side outer edge and the lower side inclined edge portion of the rear side outer edge in the side gusset film.

8. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the lower end coupling portion is a portion located at a pouch bottom portion in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and a pouch main body is inflated.

9. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom seal formed continuous with the side seal on both right and left sides at a pouch bottom portion, wherein the bottom seal includes a folding control sealing portion located above both right and left end portions thereof.

10. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 9, wherein both the side gusset films on right and left sides include the lower end side connecting portion, and the folding control sealing portion is formed such that in a state in which the side-gusseted pouch is folded with inner surfaces of the front side film and the rear side film contacting each other, a portion located on an uppermost side of an upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion contacts an imaginary line connecting the first imaginary intersection point on a right side and the first imaginary intersection point on a left side in a right-left direction.

11. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 9, wherein a portion located on an uppermost side of an upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion extends linearly along a right-left direction.

12. The side-gusseted pouch according to claim 9, wherein a lower unsealed portion is formed below the folding control sealing portion.

13. A side-gusseted pouch, comprising: a front side film; a rear side film; and side gusset films on both right and left sides disposed between the front side film and the rear side film and to be heat-sealed to the front side film and the rear side film by a side seal, wherein the side gusset films each includes a front side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the front side film at the side seal, a rear side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the rear side film at the side seal, and a non-sealing region that is a region inside the front side sealing region and the rear side sealing region, the non-sealing region includes a front side outer edge that is a boundary with the front side sealing region and a rear side outer edge that is a boundary with the rear side sealing region, the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge each include a base edge portion, the base edge portion of the front side outer edge and the base edge portion of the rear side outer edge being disposed spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, an upper side inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end coupling portion coupling upper ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, and a lower side inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end coupling portion coupling lower ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, in at least one of the side gusset films on right and left sides, the upper side inclined edge portion includes a folding guide portion that guides folding of each of the side gusset films when a liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and an upper end side connecting portion that connects an upper end of the folding guide portion and the upper end coupling portion, and the upper end side connecting portion connects the upper end of the folding guide portion and the upper end coupling portion such that the upper end coupling portion is located above a third imaginary intersection point at which a central imaginary line passing through the upper end coupling portion and the lower end coupling portion intersects a folding imaginary line defined by the folding guide portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which a side-gusseted pouch according to an embodiment of the disclosure is placed on a placement surface.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating each film constituting the side-gusseted pouch.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating one of side gusset films.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a lower portion of the one of side gusset films.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an upper portion of the one of side gusset films.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the other of side gusset films.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a lower portion of the other of side gusset films.

[0018] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating an upper portion of the other of side gusset films.

[0019] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating a state in which the side-gusseted pouch is placed on a placement surface.

[0020] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating an aspect of a bottom seal.

[0021] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating an example in which a folding control sealing portion is not formed.

[0022] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating a modified example of the bottom seal.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A side-gusseted pouch 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] The side-gusseted pouch 10 accommodates liquid contents, such as a beverage or a liquid detergent, and is configured to be a pouch formed with a gusset portion at pouch side portions on both right and left sides in a right-left direction Z and is configured to pour the liquid contents from a spout 70 attached to a side portion of a pouch main body 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the side-gusseted pouch 10 includes the pouch main body 20 formed into a bag shape by heat-sealing films 30, 40, 50, and 60 having flexibility to form bag-making sealing portions, an inner side film 60 disposed inside the pouch main body 20, and the spout 70 attached to the pouch main body 20.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pouch main body 20 includes a front side film 30 and a rear side film 40 which are disposed opposite to each other in a front-rear direction X with a liquid contents accommodating portion 21 interposed therebetween, side gusset films 50 on both right and left sides which are disposed between the front side film 30 and the rear side film 40 on both sides of pouch side portions in the right-left direction Z to be heat-sealed to the front side film 30 and the rear side film 40 by side seals 22.

[0027] Each of the films 30, 40, 50, and 60 is formed as a resin film including a heat-sealed layer on at least one surface thereof, and disposed such that the heat-sealed layers are opposed to each other at locations where the films are heat-sealed to each other.

[0028] Note that, in FIG. 2 and the like, heat-sealed regions of the films 30, 40, 50, and 60 are indicated by shading.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pouch main body 20 includes: the side seals 22 at which both sides of the side gusset films 50 in a lateral direction are heat-sealed to the films 30 and 40: a top seal 23 formed continuous with the side seals 22 on both right and left sides at a top portion of the pouch main body 20, the top portion being opposed to a bottom seal 24 with the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 interposed therebetween; the bottom seal 24 formed continuous with the side seals 22 on both right and left sides at a pouch bottom portion 20a of the pouch main body 20; and an intermediate seal 25 at which the films 30 and 40 and the inner side film 60 are heat-sealed. These seals 22 to 25 constitute bag-making sealing portions.

[0030] The top seal 23 and the bottom seal 24 are formed by heat-sealing the films 30 and 40 directly or indirectly and, in the present embodiment, include portions at which the films 30 and 40 are directly heat-sealed to each other, and portions at which the inner side film 60 is interposed between the films 30 and 40 and the films 30 and 40 are indirectly heat-sealed to each other (heat-sealed portions between the films 30 and 60, between the film 60 and the film 60, and between the films 40 and 60).

[0031] When the inner side film 60 is not provided, the top seal 23 and the bottom seal 24 include only portions at which the films 30 and 40 are directly heat-sealed to each other.

[0032] At predetermined locations (e.g., locations A illustrated in FIG. 1) on side portions of the pouch main body 20 at which gusset portions are formed, a portion at which the side gusset film 50 is partially removed is formed, and the films 30 and 40 are heat-sealed to each other. As a result, the films 30 and 40 are prevented from being separated from each other at the predetermined locations (e.g., the locations A illustrated in FIG. 1).

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the side gusset film 50 includes a front side sealing region 51 to be heat-sealed to the front side film 30 at the side seal 22, a rear side sealing region 52 to be heat-sealed to the rear side film 40 at the side seal 22, and a non-sealing region 53 which is a region inside the front side sealing region 51 and the rear side sealing region 52.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the non-sealing region 53 includes a front side outer edge 54 that is a boundary with the front side sealing region 51, and a rear side outer edge 55 that is a boundary with the rear side sealing region 52.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 respectively include base edge portions 54a and 55a disposed apart from each other in the front-rear direction X, lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b respectively extending from lower ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a to a lower end coupling portion 53a coupling lower ends of the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 to each other, and upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c respectively extending from upper ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a to an upper end coupling portion 53b coupling upper ends of the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 to each other.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the base edge portions 54a and 55a are formed in a linear shape extending along an up-down direction Y. Note that the base edge portions 54a and 55a may be formed in a form other than a linear shape.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b are, as a whole, portions that extend in the up-down direction Y and is inclined so as to be closer to the inner side in the front-rear direction X as they extend downward.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b respectively include folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 that guide folding of the side gusset film 50 when the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents, and lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 that connect the lower ends of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a.

[0039] The folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are portions that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents, that is, the pouch main body 20 is inflated such that the front side film 30 and the rear side film 40 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction X.

[0040] The folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 guide the side gusset film 50 so as to be folded at folding imaginary lines L2 defined by the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated.

[0041] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are formed as linear portions that are continuous with the lower ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a and are inclined (at an inclination angle of 45in the present embodiment) so as to be closer to a central imaginary line L1 (i.e., the central imaginary line L1 extending linearly along the up-down direction Y and passing through the lower end coupling portion 53a and the upper end coupling portion 53b at the center of the side gusset film 50 in the front-rear direction X) side as they extend downward.

[0042] As described above, when the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are formed as linear portions, the folding imaginary lines L2 are imaginary lines obtained by extending the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7.

[0043] Here, when the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are formed as linear portions, in order to suitably guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are preferably formed such that widths W1 of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 in the front-rear direction X are 20% or greater of widths W from the central imaginary line L1 to the base edge portions 54a and 55a in the front-rear direction X as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7.

[0044] The specific forms of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are not limited to those formed as linear portions, but may be any form as long as the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 can guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, such as those formed as curved portions that are convex toward the central imaginary line L1 side.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 are formed continuous with the lower ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a, but another portion (including a curved portion or a linear portion) may be interposed between the base edge portions 54a and 55a and the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are portions connecting the lower ends of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a and connect the lower ends of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a such that the lower end coupling portion 53a is located below a first imaginary intersection point P1 at which the central imaginary line L1 intersects the folding imaginary lines L2.

[0047] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed as curved portions that are convex toward the central imaginary line L1 side (the inner side in the front-rear direction X) and smoothly connect the lower ends of the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a (that is, connect them so as not to form corners at coupling portions with the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1).

[0048] As described above, by forming the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 as the curved portions having a convex shape, the load received from the liquid contents can be suitably received also by the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 while the load received from the liquid contents is prevented from being concentrated on specific portions of the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the entirety of the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are located outside the folding imaginary lines L2 in the front-rear direction X.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed as the curved portions having a convex shape as described above, but the specific forms of the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are not limited thereto, and the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 may be formed as linear portions, or may be formed as a combination of one or more linear portions or one or more curved portions, or the like.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c are, as a whole, portions that extend in the up-down direction Y and is inclined so as to be closer to the inner side in the front-rear direction X as they extend upward.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c respectively include folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents, and upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 that connect the upper ends of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end coupling portion 53b.

[0053] The folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are portions that guide the folding of the side gusset film 50 when the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents, that is, the pouch main body 20 is inflated such that the front side film 30 and the rear side film 40 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction X.

[0054] The folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 guide the side gusset film 50 so as to be folded at folding imaginary lines L3 defined by the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated.

[0055] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are formed as linear portions that are continuous with the upper ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a and are inclined (at an inclination angle of 45in the present embodiment) so as to be closer to the central imaginary line L1 side (the inner side in the front-rear direction X) as they extend upward.

[0056] As described above, when the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are formed as linear portions, the folding imaginary lines L3 are imaginary lines obtained by extending the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8.

[0057] Here, when the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are formed as linear portions, in order to suitably guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are preferably formed such that widths W2 of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 in the front-rear direction X are 20% or greater of the widths W from the central imaginary line L1 to the base edge portions 54a and 55a in the front-rear direction X as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8.

[0058] The specific forms of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are not limited to those formed as linear portions, but may be any form as long as the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 can guide the folding of the side gusset film 50, such as those formed as curved portions that are convex toward the central imaginary line L1 side.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 are formed continuous with the upper ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a, but another portion (including a curved portion or a linear portion) may be interposed between the base edge portions 54a and 55a and the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1.

[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are portions connecting the upper ends of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end coupling portion 53b and connect the upper ends of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end coupling portion 53b such that the upper end coupling portion 53b is located above a third imaginary intersection point P3 at which the central imaginary line L1 intersects the folding imaginary lines L3.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are formed as curved portions that are convex toward the central imaginary line L1 side (the inner side in the front-rear direction X) and smoothly connect the upper ends of the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end coupling portion 53b (that is, connect them so as not to form corners at coupling portions with the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1).

[0062] As described above, by forming the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 as the curved portions having a convex shape, the load received from the liquid contents can be suitably received also by the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 while the load received from the liquid contents is prevented from being concentrated on specific portions of the upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the entirety of the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are located outside the folding imaginary lines L3 in the front-rear direction X.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are formed as the curved portions having a convex shape as described above, but the specific forms of the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are not limited thereto, and the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 may be formed as linear portions, or may be formed as a combination of one or more linear portions or one or more curved portions, or the like.

[0065] The side gusset film 50 is formed in line symmetry (left-right symmetry) with reference to the central imaginary line L1, that is, the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 are formed in line symmetry (left-right symmetry) with reference to the central imaginary line L1.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one of the side gusset films 50 includes a spout through hole 56 having a circular shape, the spout through hole 56 being formed to penetrate in a film thickness direction and configured to be inserted with a dispensing tubular portion of the spout 70.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the side gusset films 50 on both right and left sides each include a central folded portion 57 obtained by folding (performing a folding process on) the side gusset film 50 along the central imaginary line L1 in a convex shape toward a pouch inner side.

[0068] The inner side film 60 is formed as a resin film having a rectangular shape (or substantially rectangular shape) and flexibility with a heat-sealed layer provided on at least one side thereof and, as can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is disposed inside the pouch main body 20 (the liquid contents accommodating portion 21) in a state of being folded in half, and predetermined portions thereof are heat-sealed to the films 30 and 40.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner side film 60 is formed with a plurality of film penetrating portions formed in hole shapes penetrating in the film thickness direction.

[0070] The spout 70 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like and is attached to the pouch main body 20 to function as a dispensing outlet for the liquid contents.

[0071] The spout 70 is attached to one of the side gusset films 50 on both right and left sides by heat-sealing a portion thereof (a flange portion in the present embodiment) to the one of the side gusset films 50.

[0072] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the spout 70 is attached to a region between the base edge portions 54a and 55a of one of the side gusset films 50 on both right and left sides, in other words, the spout 70 is attached to a region of the one of the side gusset film 50 other than a region between the lower side inclined edge portion 54b of the front side outer edge 54 and the lower side inclined edge portion 55b of the rear side outer edge 55, and the spout 70 is attached to a region of the one of the side gusset film 50 other than a region between the upper side inclined edge portion 54c of the front side outer edge 54 and the upper side inclined edge portion 55c of the rear side outer edge 55.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an overlapping portion of the films 30, 40, and 60 in the bag-making sealing portion on the top portion side of the side-gusseted pouch 10 (the top seal 23), a handle hole 26 for a user to hold the side-gusseted pouch 10 by passing his or her hand or finger therethrough is formed so as to penetrate through the overlapping portion of the films 30, 40, and 60.

[0074] Note that FIG. 2 illustrates the handle hole 26 being formed in a state in which the films 30, 40, and 60 are not heat-sealed to one another for convenience of technical understanding. However, in the present embodiment, the handle hole 26 is formed by punching at a predetermined location after the films 30, 40, and 60 are heat-sealed to one another.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the bottom seal 24 is formed such that the center (or the vicinity of the center) thereof in the right-left direction Z bulges upward, and includes a folding control sealing portion 24a (whose upper end edge) is located above both right and left end portions 24c (continuous with the side seals 22 on both left and right sides) thereof.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the width of the bottom seal 24 in the up-down direction Y is constant (or substantially constant) as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the folding control sealing portion 24a controls the positions and states where the films 30 and 40 are folded (bent) when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is placed with the pouch bottom portion 20a side (the bottom seal 24 side) facing down.

[0078] That is, when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is placed as illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the side-gusseted pouch 10 including the bottom seal 24 (a portion B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10) is folded toward either the front side or the rear side in the front-rear direction X at the pouch bottom portion 20a, and at this time, the positions and states where the films 30 and 40 are folded (bent) are controlled by the folding control sealing portion 24a.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a portion located on the uppermost side of the upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion 24a extends linearly along the right-left direction Z.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the folding control sealing portion 24a is formed such that the portion located on the uppermost side of the upper edge of the folding control sealing portion 24a (the above-described portion linearly extending along the right-left direction Z) contacts a sixth imaginary line L6 connecting between the first imaginary intersection points P1 on both right and left sides in the right-left direction in the vicinity of the pouch bottom portion 20a in a state in which the side-gusseted pouch 10 is folded such that the inner surfaces of the front side film 30 and the rear side film 40 are brought into contact with each other (in the example illustrated in FIG. 10, by folding the side gusset films 50 on both right and left sides in half along the central imaginary lines L1).

[0081] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a lower unsealed portion 24b in which the films 30 and 40 are not heat-sealed to each other is formed below (outside) the folding control sealing portion 24a.

[0082] In the side-gusseted pouch 10 of the present embodiment obtained in this manner, the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed such that the lower end coupling portion 53a is located below the first imaginary intersection point P1 at which the central imaginary line L1 intersects the folding imaginary lines L2 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7. Accordingly, even when a pressure is applied to the side-gusseted pouch 10 filled with the liquid contents, such as when a plurality of side-gusseted pouches 10 filled with the liquid contents are stacked, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of delamination (i.e., peeling between the heat-sealed films 30, 40, and 50) in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a and avoid leakage of the liquid contents due to the delamination.

[0083] Specifically, when the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated, most of the side gusset films 50 (portions other than regions R1 and R2 to be described below) moves toward the outside of the pouch along with the inflation of the pouch main body 20. However, in the side-gusseted pouch 10 of the present embodiment, forming the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 such that the lower end coupling portion 53a is located below the first imaginary intersection point P1 (that is, located outside the folding imaginary lines L2) as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 allows, even in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated, a region R1 in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a located outside (below) the folding imaginary lines L2 of the side gusset film 50 to be prevented from moving toward the outside along with the inflation of the pouch main body 20 (in other words, the region R1 is kept at a recessed position), thus allowing for preventing the load due to the above-described pressure from being concentrated on the lower end coupling portion 53a and reducing the occurrence of the delamination in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a.

[0084] The above-described region R1 of the side gusset film 50 is a portion that is folded in a convex shape toward the pouch inner side in the vicinity of the central imaginary line L1, and if the state of the film is changed such that the region R1 becomes convex toward a pouch outer side along with the inflation of the pouch main body 20, a load would be applied to the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a. However, in the side-gusseted pouch 10 of the present embodiment, since it is possible to prevent the region R1 of the side gusset film 50 from moving toward the outside along with the inflation of the pouch main body 20 as described above, that is, also in this respect, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a of the side gusset film 50 and reduce the occurrence of the delamination in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a.

[0085] In the side-gusseted pouch 10 of the present embodiment, the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are formed such that the upper end coupling portion 53b is located above the third imaginary intersection point P3 at which the central imaginary line L1 intersects the folding imaginary lines L3 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. Accordingly, even when a pressure is applied to the side-gusseted pouch 10 filled with the liquid contents, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of the upper end coupling portion 53b and avoid leakage of the liquid contents due to the delamination.

[0086] Here, the mechanism for reducing the occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of the upper end coupling portion 53b is the same as the above-described mechanism for suppressing the occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a, and thus the specific description thereof will be omitted. When a plurality of side-gusseted pouches 10 filled with the liquid contents are stacked in a state of being transversely placed or being placed with the top seal 23 side facing down, delamination may also occur in the vicinity of the upper end coupling portion 53b due to a pressure applied to the vicinity of the upper end coupling portion 53b.

[0087] The region R2 illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 is a region in the vicinity of the upper end coupling portion 53b of the side gusset film 50 located outside (above) the folding imaginary lines L3.

[0088] In a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, most of the side gusset film 50 moves toward the pouch outer side along with the inflation of the pouch main body 20 and, as can be seen from FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 9, the side gusset film 50 is folded in a convex shape toward the pouch outer side in the vicinity of a fourth imaginary line L4 between the lower ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a and in the vicinity of a fifth imaginary line L5 between the upper ends of the base edge portions 54a and 55a.

[0089] As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, a region between the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b of the side gusset film 50 is a portion constituting a pouch bottom portion 20a to be placed on a placement surface when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is used, displayed, or the like in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion 21 is filled with the liquid contents and the pouch main body 20 is inflated.

[0090] Accordingly, the lower end coupling portion 53a is a portion to be located at the pouch bottom portion 20a.

[0091] In the present embodiment, since the bottom seal 24 includes the folding control sealing portion 24a located above the left and right ends of the bottom seal 24, it is possible to stabilize the positions and states where the films 30 and 40 are folded when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is placed with the pouch bottom portion 20a side facing down, thus allowing for reducing the occurrence of a pinhole that is likely to be generated when the positions and states where the films 30 and 40 are folded are unstable.

[0092] That is, when the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed such that the lower end coupling portion 53a is located below the first imaginary intersection point P1, the folding control sealing portion 24a is not formed, and the bottom seal 24 is formed in a strip shape linearly extending along the right-left direction Z as illustrated in FIG. 11, the liquid contents may enter below the sixth imaginary line L6 in the vicinity of the center in the right-left direction Z as indicated by a line S (a lower end line S of a region in which the liquid contents are present) in FIG. 11. As a result, the films 30 and 40 may be unable to be suitably folded (folded along a straight line) and the films 30 and 40 may get wrinkled, and when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is repeatedly picked up and placed in a state in which the films 30 and 40 are wrinkled, a load may be applied to the films 30 and 40 and a so-called pinhole in which a hole is opened in the films 30 and 40, may occur.

[0093] In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the folding control sealing portion 24a is formed at the bottom seal 24 as illustrated in FIG. 10, it is possible to stabilize the positions and states where the films 30 and 40 are folded, thus allowing for reducing the occurrence of wrinkles in the films 30 and 40 and preventing the occurrence of pinholes in the films 30 and 40 when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is placed.

[0094] The folding control sealing portion 24a is formed such that a portion located on the uppermost side of the upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion 24a contacts the sixth imaginary line L6 when the side-gusseted pouch 10 is folded. This can guide the positions at which the films 30 and 40 are folded to the sixth imaginary line L6 along which fold lines are most desired to be made at the films 30 and 40.

[0095] The portion located on the uppermost side of the upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion 24a linearly extends along the right-left direction. This can reliably reduce the liquid contents from entering below the sixth imaginary line L6 and suitably fold the films 30 and 40 along straight lines.

[0096] The lower unsealed portion 24b is formed below the folding control sealing portion 24a. This can reduce the occurrence of wrinkles in the films at the pouch bottom portion 20a and prevent the breakage of the pouch due to the wrinkles. That is, if sealing is performed up to the position of the lower unsealed portion 24b, the film becomes stiff and wrinkles are likely to occur, but forming the lower unsealed portion 24b allows the occurrence of wrinkles to be reduced.

[0097] Next, in order to confirm the effect of preventing the occurrence of delamination in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a by the formation of the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2, the present applicant conducted a test in which the ratio of a vertical distance H1 to a vertical distance H2 below is variously changed.

[0098] First, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the vertical distance H1 is a distance in the up-down direction between each of second imaginary intersection points P2 at which the folding imaginary lines L2 intersects the base edge portions 54a and 55a and the first imaginary intersection point P1, and the vertical distance H2 is a distance in the up-down direction between the first imaginary intersection point P1 and the lower end coupling portion 53a.

[0099] In this test, a pouch with H2/H1=0 (i.e., H2=0), a pouch with H2/H1=0.10, a pouch with H2/H1=0.14, and a pouch with H2/H1=0.20 in a state of being filled with liquid contents (water) and inflated were prepared, and a pressure was applied to each of the pouches filled with the liquid contents, and then whether delamination occurred in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a was checked by visual observation from the outside of the pouches, and after the visual observation, whether the delamination occurred was checked by disassembling the pouches by a method such as cutting.

[0100] In this test, the pouches having the same configuration as the pouch illustrated in FIG. 1 were used.

[0101] In this test, pouches formed by using a film 1 described below as a front side film, a rear side film, and side gusset films constituting the pouch, and pouches formed by using a film 2 below, which is transparent, as the front side film, the rear side film, and the side gusset films were used.

[0102] Film 1: A film formed by laminating, in order from the outer layer side, PET having a thickness of 12 m, PET having a thickness of 12 m with an aluminum vapor deposition layer formed on the outer layer side, nylon having a thickness of 15 m, and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a thickness of 150 m

[0103] Film 2: A film formed by laminating, in order from the outer layer side, PET having a thickness of 12 m, nylon having a thickness of 15 m, and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a thickness of 150 m The number of the pouches formed by using the film 1 and the number of the pouches formed by using the film 2, which were used as test samples, were 16 each.

[0104] As a result, as can be seen from the test results described below, it was found that the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are preferably formed such that H2/H1 is 0.1 or greater, and more preferably formed such that H2/H1 is 0.2 or greater.

[0105] Similar results were obtained in both the pouches formed by using the film 1 and the pouches formed by using the film 2. [0106] H2/H1=0: [0107] H2/H1=0.10: [0108] H2/H1=0.14: [0109] H2/H1=0.20:

[0110] Specifically, regarding the pouches with H2/H1=0, delamination was confirmed in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a in some of the test samples through visual observation from the outside of the pouches.

[0111] Regarding the pouches with H2/H1 =0.10 and the pouches with H2/H1=0.14, delamination was not confirmed in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a in all the test samples through visual observation from the outside of the pouches, but it was confirmed that slight delamination not leading to the leakage of the liquid contents occurred in some of the test samples through disassembly of the pouches.

[0112] Regarding the pouches with H2/H1=0.20, delamination was not confirmed in the vicinity of the lower end coupling portion 53a in all the test samples through visual observation from the outside of the pouches, and delamination was also not confirmed in all the test samples even through disassembly of the pouches.

[0113] From the test results described above, it was found that the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are preferably formed such that H4/H3 is 0.1 or greater, and more preferably formed such that H4/H3 is 0.2 or greater.

[0114] As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, a vertical distance H3 is a distance in the up-down direction between each of fourth imaginary intersection points P4 at which the folding imaginary lines L3 intersects the base edge portions 54a and 55a and the third imaginary intersection point P3, and a vertical distance H4 is a distance in the up-down direction between the third imaginary intersection point P3 and the upper end coupling portion 53b.

[0115] The embodiment of the disclosure has been described in detail above, but the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various design modifications can be made insofar as they do not depart from the scope of the claims of the disclosure. The side-gusseted pouch 10 may be configured by any combination of configurations of the above-described embodiment and modification examples to be described below.

[0116] For example, the side-gusseted pouch 10 may be stored and operated in an exterior case (not illustrated) at the time of use, display, or transportation, or the side-gusseted pouch 10 itself may be used, displayed, or transported without being stored in an exterior case (not illustrated).

[0117] Regarding a specific aspect of each of the films 30, 40, 50, and 60, as long as each film includes, on at least one surface thereof, a layer having a heat sealing property, such as an olefin-based layer made of low density polyethylene or polypropylene or a polyester-based layer made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like, a single film of a heat-sealed layer may be used, or any desired layer may be laminated on the heat-sealed layer. Any material may be used as a material constituting a lamination layer, and the lamination layer may be formed as desired by laminating a known polyester such as PET or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, aluminum foil, or the like.

[0118] In the embodiment described above, the pouch main body 20 has been described as being formed of four films, that is, the films 30, 40, and 50. However, a specific aspect of the pouch main body 20, such as the number of films constituting the pouch main body 20, is not limited to the above.

[0119] The inner side film 60 is not necessarily provided.

[0120] In the embodiment described above, the side-gusseted pouch 10 is configured as a large-capacity pouch having a capacity of 2 to 5 L, and the spout 70 is also configured as a large-size spout including a flange 81 with an outer diameter of 50 to 70 mm. However, the sizes of the side-gusseted pouch 10 and the spout 70 are not limited to the above, and may be set as appropriate in accordance with an embodiment.

[0121] In the embodiment described above, the side-gusseted pouch 10 has been described as including the spout 70, but the spout 70 is not necessarily provided.

[0122] When the spout 70 is attached to the side gusset film 50, in the embodiment described above, the spout 70 has been described as being attached to the region between the base edge portions 54a and 55a. However, the attachment position of the spout 70 is not limited to the above, and for example, at least a part of the spout 70 may be attached to a region between the upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c.

[0123] In the embodiment described above, the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 have been described as being formed in line symmetry (left-right symmetry) with reference to the central imaginary line L1. However, the front side outer edge 54 and the rear side outer edge 55 may be formed in left-right asymmetry.

[0124] In the embodiment described above, it has been described that the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 are formed at the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b in both the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides. However, the folding guide portions 54b-1 and 55b-1 and the lower end side connecting portions 54b-2 and 55b-2 may be formed at the lower side inclined edge portions 54b and 55b in only one of the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides.

[0125] In the embodiment described above, it has been described that the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are formed at the upper side inclined edge portions 54c and 55c in both the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides. However, the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 are not necessarily formed in both the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides, and the folding guide portions 54c-1 and 55c-1 and the upper end side connecting portions 54c-2 and 55c-2 may be formed in only one of the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides.

[0126] In the embodiment described above, the side gusset films 50 have been described as being formed with the central folded portion 57. However, the central folded portion 57 is not necessarily formed (in at least one of the side gusset films 50), that is, the side gusset films 50 are not necessarily subjected to the folding process.

[0127] In the embodiment described above, it has been described that the form, the width W, and the like of the outer edges 54 and 55 are the same between the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides. However, the form, the width W, and the like of the outer edges 54 and 55 may differ between the side gusset films 50 on right and left sides.

[0128] In the embodiment described above, the folding control sealing portion 24a has been described as being formed continuous with the base portion (which is continuous with the side seals 22 on both right and left sides) of the bottom seal 24. However, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the folding control sealing portion 24a may be formed as being provided, as a part of the bottom seal 24, independently from a base portion 24d (spaced apart therefrom, in other words, in a point seal shape).

[0129] Note that, in the present specification, the terms top portion, bottom portion, side portion and the like indicating up and down directions are used, but these terms do not limit the orientation of the placement of the side-gusseted pouch 10 during display, transportation, or the like. For example, the side-gusseted pouch 10 may be placed on a placement surface with the side portion or the top portion of the side-gusseted pouch 10 facing down during display, transportation, or the like.

[0130] A part or all of the embodiment described above can be described as, but not limited to, the supplementary notes below.

Supplementary Note 1

[0131] A side-gusseted pouch including: [0132] a front side film; [0133] a rear side film; and [0134] side gusset films on both right and left sides disposed between the front side film and the rear side film and to be heat-sealed to the front side film and the rear side film by a side seal, wherein [0135] the side gusset films each include [0136] a front side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the front side film at the side seal, [0137] a rear side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the rear side film at the side seal, and [0138] a non-sealing region that is a region inside the front side sealing region and the rear side sealing region, [0139] the non-sealing region includes [0140] a front side outer edge that is a boundary with the front side sealing region and [0141] a rear side outer edge that is a boundary with the rear side sealing region, [0142] the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge each include [0143] a base edge portion, the base edge portion of the front side outer edge and the base edge portion of the rear side outer edge being disposed spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, [0144] an upper side inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end coupling portion coupling upper ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, and [0145] a lower side inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end coupling portion coupling lower ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, [0146] in at least one of the side gusset films on right and left sides, the lower side inclined edge portion includes [0147] a folding guide portion that guides folding of each of the side gusset films when a liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and [0148] a lower end side connecting portion that connects a lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end coupling portion, and [0149] the lower end side connecting portion connects the lower end of the folding guide portion and the lower end coupling portion such that the lower end coupling portion is located below a first imaginary intersection point at which a central imaginary line passing through the upper end coupling portion and the lower end coupling portion intersects a folding imaginary line defined by the folding guide portion.

Supplementary Note 2

[0150] The side-gusseted pouch according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the folding guide portion is formed as a linear portion that is inclined closer to a side of the central imaginary line toward a lower side.

Supplementary Note 3

[0151] The side-gusseted pouch according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the folding guide portion is formed continuous with the lower end of the base edge portion.

Supplementary Note 4

[0152] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the lower end side connecting portion is formed as a curved portion which is convex toward a side of the central imaginary line.

Supplementary Note 5

[0153] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein [0154] a vertical distance between a second imaginary intersection point at which the folding imaginary line intersects the base edge portion and the first imaginary intersection point is defined as H1, [0155] a vertical distance between the first imaginary intersection point and the lower end coupling portion is defined as H2, and [0156] the lower end side connecting portion is formed with H2/H1 of 0.1 or greater.

Supplementary Note 6

[0157] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the side gusset films each include a central folded portion obtained by folding each of the side gusset films in a convex shape toward a pouch inner side along the central imaginary line.

Supplementary Note 7

[0158] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to 6, further including [0159] a spout to be attached to a side gusset film of the side gusset films, wherein [0160] the spout is attached to a region other than a region between the lower side inclined edge portion of the front side outer edge and the lower side inclined edge portion of the rear side outer edge in the side gusset film.

Supplementary Note 8

[0161] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to 7, wherein the lower end coupling portion is a portion located at a pouch bottom portion in a state in which the liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and a pouch main body is inflated.

Supplementary Note 9

[0162] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to 8, further including [0163] a bottom seal formed continuous with the side seal on both right and left sides at a pouch bottom portion, wherein [0164] the bottom seal includes a folding control sealing portion located above both right and left end portions thereof.

Supplementary Note 10

[0165] The side-gusseted pouch according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein [0166] both the side gusset films on right and left sides include the lower end side connecting portion, and [0167] the folding control sealing portion is formed such that in a state in which the side-gusseted pouch is folded with inner surfaces of the front side film and the rear side film contacting each other, a portion located on an uppermost side of an upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion contacts an imaginary line connecting the first imaginary intersection point on a right side and the first imaginary intersection point on a left side in a right-left direction.

Supplementary Note 11

[0168] The side-gusseted pouch according to Supplementary Note 9 or 10, wherein a portion located on an uppermost side of an upper end edge of the folding control sealing portion extends linearly along a right-left direction.

Supplementary Note 12

[0169] The side-gusseted pouch according to any one of Supplementary Note 9 to 11, wherein a lower unsealed portion is formed below the folding control sealing portion.

Supplementary Note 13

[0170] A side-gusseted pouch including: [0171] A Front Side Film;

[0172] a rear side film; and [0173] side gusset films on both right and left sides disposed between the front side film and the rear side film and to be heat-sealed to the front side film and the rear side film by a side seal, wherein [0174] the side gusset films each include [0175] a front side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the front side film at the side seal, [0176] a rear side sealing region to be heat-sealed to the rear side film at the side seal, and [0177] a non-sealing region that is a region inside the front side sealing region and the rear side sealing region, [0178] the non-sealing region includes [0179] a front side outer edge that is a boundary with the front side sealing region and [0180] a rear side outer edge that is a boundary with the rear side sealing region, [0181] the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge each include [0182] a base edge portion, the base edge portion of the front side outer edge and the base edge portion of the rear side outer edge being disposed spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, [0183] an upper side inclined edge portion extending from an upper end of the base edge portion to an upper end coupling portion coupling upper ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, and [0184] a lower side inclined edge portion extending from a lower end of the base edge portion to a lower end coupling portion coupling lower ends of the front side outer edge and the rear side outer edge, [0185] in at least one of the side gusset films on right and left sides, the upper side inclined edge portion includes [0186] a folding guide portion that guides folding of each of the side gusset films when a liquid contents accommodating portion is filled with liquid contents and [0187] an upper end side connecting portion that connects an upper end of the folding guide portion and the upper end coupling portion, and [0188] the upper end side connecting portion connects the upper end of the folding guide portion and the upper end coupling portion such that the upper end coupling portion is located above a third imaginary intersection point at which a central imaginary line passing through the upper end coupling portion and the lower end coupling portion intersects a folding imaginary line defined by the folding guide portion.

[0189] While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.