Viscous material feed apparatus and viscous material feed method

Providing a viscous material feed apparatus and a viscous material feed method capable of further reducing a viscous material remaining in a container, e.g., a bag, housing the viscous material.A viscous material feed apparatus according to the present invention includes: a container (10) configured to include a bag body (11) with a housing space configured to house a viscous material and a spout (20) with a passage configured to deliver the viscous material in the housing space to outside; a squeeze portion (30) configured to squeeze the bag body toward the spout and move the viscous material in the housing space toward the spout; and a nozzle (40) having a hollow shape, the nozzle being configured to be freely inserted into the passage of the spout and withdrawn from the spout, the nozzle being configured to deliver the viscous material collected at the spout to outside.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a viscous material feed apparatus and a viscous material feed method.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a sealing agent or an adhesive agent, a high-viscosity viscous material, e.g., reactive silicone, urethane resin, or epoxy resin, has been used. As described in Patent Literature 1, for example, such material is pumped in a state of being housed in an inner bag by a follower plate or a pressure plate and applied to a sealing surface or the like of a workpiece.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2002-255285 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

However, in Patent Literature 1, the inner bag is pressed by the pressure plate or the like. Therefore, wrinkles are created when the inner bag pressed is contracted while applying the viscous material or the like. In addition, the adhesive agent can enter the wrinkled portions formed. In such case, there is a problem that a viscous material, e.g., an adhesive agent, remains in the wrinkled bag.

The present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a viscous material feed apparatus and a viscous material feed method that can reduce a viscous material remaining in a container, e.g., a bag, housing the viscous material.

A viscous material feed apparatus according to the present invention, which solves the aforementioned problem, includes: a container configured to include a bag body with a housing space configured to house a viscous material and a spout with a passage configured to deliver the viscous material in the housing space to outside; a squeeze portion configured to squeeze the bag body toward the spout and move the viscous material in the housing space toward the spout; and a nozzle having a hollow shape, the nozzle being configured to be freely inserted into the passage of the spout and withdrawn from the spout, the nozzle being configured to deliver the viscous material collected at the spout to outside.

In addition, a viscous material feed method according to the present invention, which solves the aforementioned problem, includes: inserting a hollow nozzle to a passage inside a spout attached to a bag body housing a viscous material delivered to outside; squeezing the bag body to deliver the viscous material through a nozzle inserted into the passage of the spout; and withdrawing the nozzle from the spout of the bag body and inserting the nozzle into a different spout attached to a different bag body to deliver the viscous material housed in the different bag body.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description below does not limit the technical scope or the meanings of wordings stated of the claims. In addition, the proportion of dimensions in the drawings is exaggerated for the sake of convenience of description and may differ from the actual proportion.

FIGS. 1A to 1Care a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view illustrating a viscous material feed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively.FIG. 2Ais a perspective view illustrating a container.FIGS. 2B and 2Care a perspective view and a plan view illustrating a bag body obtained as a spout is removed from the container illustrated inFIG. 2A, respectively.FIG. 2Dis a plan view illustrating a variation of a bag body.

A viscous material feed apparatus100according to the present embodiment is used in feeding a high-viscosity viscous material, e.g., reactive silicone, urethane resin, or epoxy resin, as, for example, a sealing agent or an adhesive agent. The viscous material feed apparatus100is briefly described with reference toFIGS. 1A to 1C, 2A and 2B. The viscous material feed apparatus100includes a container10having a bag body11with an housing space12for housing a viscous material and a spout20with a passage23for delivering the viscous material in the housing space12to the outside, a squeeze portion30for squeezing the bag body11toward the spout20to move the viscous material in the housing space12toward the spout20, and a nozzle40configured to be freely inserted into the passage23of the spout20and withdrawn from the spout20to deliver the viscous material collected at the spout20to the outside.

In addition, the viscous material feed apparatus100includes a pump50(corresponding to a pumping portion), which is connected to the nozzle40and pumps the viscous material delivered through the nozzle40, a motor60connected to the squeeze portion30to squeeze the bag body11, a control portion70for controlling the pump50and the motor60, and a movement portion80configuring the viscous material feed apparatus100to be movable. A detailed description is given below.

The bag body11houses a high-viscosity viscous material, e.g., reactive silicone, urethane resin, or epoxy resin, as a sealing agent, an adhesive agent or the like. As illustrated inFIGS. 2A to 2C, the bag body11includes a housing space12formed as a space for housing the viscous material inside the bag body11, an opening13for taking out the viscous material in the container to the outside, a welded portion14formed as portions excluding the opening13are sealed, and a reduction portion15formed in the housing space12such that the cross-sectional area of the housing space12is reduced toward the opening13.

The bag body11is formed, for example, as, for example, two sheets of polyethylene or the like are prepared and the two sheets are welded at portions excluding the opening13. The bag body11is formed as the two sheets are welded at portions excluding the opening13, but the present invention is not limited thereto. InFIGS. 1A to 1C, the container is formed such that a sheet, which becomes a bottom surface, is arranged between the two sheets, and formation may be made in such a manner. In addition, as far as the viscous material can be housed, one sheet may be folded and the outer circumferential portions of the folded sheet piece may be welded at portions excluding the opening.

The housing space12is a space formed inside the bag body11and houses the viscous material to be delivered by the squeeze portion30or the like. Regarding the layered part of the sheets constituting the bag body11, the opening13is a portion to which the spout20is attached. The opening13is provided at a part of the outer circumference of the portion where the two sheets are stacked together in the present embodiment. However, as far as the spout can be attached, the opening may be provided at a portion other than the portion where the sheets are stacked, e.g., the middle of the sheet constituting the bag body11.

The welded portion14is a portion where a predetermined number of sheet materials are stacked and joined to form the housing space12in the bag body11. InFIG. 2Bor the like, the welded portion14is formed as the two sheets are stacked and the outer circumferential portions excluding the opening13are welded.

The reduction portion15is illustrated as the corresponding area is surrounded by the two-dot chain line inFIGS. 2C and 2D. The reduction portion15is a portion of the bag body11where the cross-sectional area of the housing space12is reduced in a direction in which the squeeze portion30is moved toward the spout20(a direction from top to bottom inFIG. 2C). In other words, the reduction portion15is a portion where the positions of both ends of the housing space12in plan view of the bag body11inFIG. 2Ccome close (taper) to the opening13toward the opening13.

InFIG. 2C, similar to the shape of the housing space12of the bag body11, the external shape of the bag body11at the reduction portion15is configured to be a shape tapering toward the opening13. However, as far as the cross-sectional area of the housing space12is reduced toward the opening13, unlikeFIG. 2C, the external profile of the bag body11may be configured to be a rectangular sheet, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 2D.

In addition, as far as squeezing can be performed with the squeeze portion30, the external profile of the bag body11may be a shape other than that illustrated inFIG. 2C or 2D. The external profile of the reduction portion15, which is illustrated as a solid line inFIG. 2C, may be configured to be a curved line as far as the viscous material in the container hardly remains.

FIGS. 3A to 3Darea side view, a front view, a perspective view, and a bottom view illustrating a spout, respectively. As illustrated inFIGS. 3A to 3D, the spout20includes an outlet port21for the viscous material, the outlet port21being arranged outside when it is attached to the opening13of the bag body11, an inlet port22for the viscous material, the inlet port22being positioned inside when it is attached to the opening13, a passage23, which connects the outlet port21and the inlet port22and through which the viscous material flows, a contact portion24for contacting squeeze members31,32constituting the squeeze portion30, and a joint portion25joined to the bag body11.

The outlet port21is configured to have a cylindrical shape with an opening. The inlet port22communicates with the outlet port21. The passage23has a hollow shape connecting the outlet port21and the inlet port22. The viscous material from the housing space12flows to the aforementioned portion and is delivered to the outside.

The joint portion25is a portion surrounded by the two-dot chain line inFIG. 3Band is formed at a portion that contacts the sheets constituting the bag body11. The joint portion25is a side surface having a shape in which the width in the up-and-down direction inFIG. 3Dincreases toward the middle from the side.

The contact portion24is a portion that contacts the squeeze member31or squeeze member32constituting the squeeze portion30when the squeeze portion30is used to squeeze the bag body11. Contact herein indicates that the squeeze members31,32contact the contact portion24via the sheets constituting the bag body11. The contact portion24has a surface having a shape that is the same or substantially the same as that of a part of the squeeze members31,32so as to be capable of contact with the squeeze members31,32with a minimum gap, and is configured to have a curved surface shape in the present embodiment.

An edge portion of the inlet port22is provided on the contact portion24, and the inlet port22is contiguously formed from the contact portion24. With such configuration, when the squeeze members31,32are brought into contact with the contact portion24to move the viscous material in the housing space12, the viscous material from the housing space12hardly remains and flows into the passage23of the spout20.

In addition, the contact portion24is a portion, which is not welded to the sheets constituting the bag body11. The ratio of the surface areas of the joint portion25and the contact portion24of the spout20may be configured, in one example, to be 2.8:7.2.

FIG. 6Ais an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the squeeze portion.FIGS. 6B and 6Care a front view and a side view illustrating a movable squeeze member constituting the squeeze portion, respectively.FIG. 6Dis a front view illustrating a fixed squeeze member constituting the squeeze portion.FIGS. 6E and 6Fare a side view and a front view illustrating an attachment member constituting the squeeze portion, respectively.FIG. 7is a front view illustrating a holding portion constituting the squeeze portion.

The squeeze portion30is used to deliver the viscous material housed in the bag body11to the outside. As illustrated inFIGS. 6A to 6F and 7, the squeeze portion30includes a pair of squeeze members31,32for squeezing the bag body11, a pair of attachment members33to which the squeeze members31,32are attached, respectively, resilient members34for providing a resilient force to press the squeeze member31against the squeeze member32to squeeze the bag body11, a pair of linear guides35for moving the attachment members33relative to the bag body11, and a holding portion36for holding the bag body11.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6A to 6D, the squeeze portion30is configured to include the pair of squeeze members31,32having a cylindrical shape as a feature for squeezing the bag body11. The squeeze member31is configured to be capable of moving toward and away from the squeeze member32. The squeeze member31is configured to be capable of adjusting the distance from the squeeze member32along an attachment portion33aformed on the attachment member33illustrated inFIG. 6F.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6B and 6C, the squeeze member31includes attachment portions31aattached to the attachment members33, and a rotary portion31b, which is formed of a member different from the attachment portions31a, arranged outside the attachment portions31a, and enables rotation of the squeeze member31when the attachment members33are moved relative to the bag body11.

The attachment portions31aare a shaft portion positioned at a central part of the squeeze member31. The attachment portions31ahave a pinion-like teeth shape that meshes with a rack-like shape formed on the attachment members33. The aforementioned configuration of the attachment portions31aenables adjustment in distance between the squeeze member31and the squeeze member32.

The rotary portion31bis formed as a member different from the attachment portions31a. When bearings, for example, are arranged between the attachment portions31aand the rotary portion31b, the rotary portion31bis configured to be rotatable independently of the operation of the attachment portions31a. When the squeeze member31is configured in the manner described above, as the attachment members33are used to move the squeeze member31, the rotary portion31bis configured to squeeze the bag body11while rotating.

As illustrated inFIG. 6D, the squeeze member32includes an attachment portion32aand a rotary portion32b. Unlike the squeeze member31, the squeeze member32is fixedly attached to the attachment members33. Therefore, unlike the squeeze member31, the shaft portion does not have a pinion-like tooth-shaped profile. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, but similar to the squeeze member31, a rack-like teeth-shaped profile may be provided. The rotary portion32bis similar to the rotary portion31bof the squeeze member31and is therefore not elaborated.

In addition, inFIG. 6Aor the like, it is configured such that the squeeze members31,32are included, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As far as the bag body11can be squeezed, it may be configured such that the bag body11is placed on a flat plate and one squeeze member squeezes to press from the above. In addition, in the present embodiment, the squeeze members31,32are so-called rollers, which perform squeeze operation while rotating in the manner described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but, unlike the above, may be configured to perform squeeze operation without rotation. In this case, the shape of the squeeze member may not be a cylindrical shape, but may be configured to be, for example, a polygonal shape in cross-section.

The attachment members33are attached to the ends of the squeeze members31,32to make the squeeze members31,32movable. As illustrated inFIGS. 6E and 6F, the attachment member33includes the attachment portion33ato which the squeeze member31is attached and which enables adjustment in distance between the squeeze member31and the squeeze member32, an attachment portion33bto which the squeeze member32is attached, and a rail attachment portion33cfor movably attaching the attachment member33to the linear guide35.

The attachment portion33ais provided on a side surface of the attachment member33and is provided on an inner side obtained when the attachment member33is arranged on the linear guide35. The attachment portion33ais configured as a rack-shaped groove on which the squeeze member31is moved is formed, but the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned configuration as far as the distance between the squeeze member31and the squeeze member32can be adjusted.

In addition, the resilient member34is attached to the attachment portion33a. The resilient member34prevents or suppresses a reduction in pressing force to the bag body11due to the reaction force generated when the squeeze member31presses the bag body11together with the squeeze member32. The resilient member34has one end attached to the attachment portion33aof the attachment member33and the other end attached to the squeeze member31, exerting a resilient force (elastic force) for pressing the squeeze member31against the squeeze member32. In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6A, the resilient member34is formed of a spring, which is an elastic member, but may use a feature other than a spring as far as a reduction in pressing force of the squeeze members31,32can be prevented or suppressed.

The attachment portion33bis a feature for attaching the squeeze member32and is configured to have a recessed shape for attaching the shaft part of the squeeze member32. However, the shape is not limited to a recessed shape as far as the squeeze member32can be attached. The rail attachment portion33cis a feature for moving the attachment member33on the linear guide35and is attached to the linear guide35.

As illustrated inFIG. 6A, the linear guides35have a rail shape for moving the attachment members33to which the squeeze members31,32are attached. However, as far as the attachment members33can be moved, the configurations of the rail attachment portions33cand the linear guides35are not limited to the above.

The holding portion36is used to prevent that the bag body11cannot be squeezed by being deformed by the movement of the squeeze members31,32when the squeeze members31,32squeeze the bag body11. The holding portion36holds and retains the end of the bag body11substantially opposite the position where the spout20is attached.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the holding portion36includes a fixed portion36afor contacting the surface of the bag body11to hold the bag body11, a movable portion36bconfigured to contact the surface of the bag body11opposite the surface for contacting the fixed portion36aand to move toward and away from the fixed portion36a, and an attachment portion36cto which the fixed portion36ais attached and the movable portion36bis attached movably.

The fixed portion36ais substantially horizontally attached to the attachment portion36c, but the attachment aspect is not limited to horizontal as far as it can hold the bag body11together with the movable portion36b. The movable portion36bis attached to the attachment portion36cto be movable with a drive source, which is not illustrated. The attachment portion36cis disposed on the linear guide35in an upright state. The attachment portion36cis fixedly disposed. However, similar to the attachment member33, it may be configured to be movable to hold, for example, the end of containers of various sizes.

FIGS. 4A to 4Care a perspective view, a side view, and a front view illustrating a nozzle, respectively.FIGS. 5A to 5Dare a side view, a front view, a perspective view, and a bottom view illustrating a state in which a nozzle is attached to a spout, respectively.FIG. 5Eis a cross-sectional view along line5E-5E ofFIG. 5D.

The nozzle40is inserted into the spout20for delivery of the viscous material in the bag body11to the outside. As illustrated inFIGS. 4A to 4C, the nozzle40includes a spout insertion portion41, a pump connection portion42, a flange43for determining the position of the insertion direction of the nozzle40with respect to the spout20, and an attachment groove44to which a sealing member for sealing between the nozzle40and the spout20is attached.

The nozzle40is formed to have a hollow substantially cylindrical shape with an opening. The spout insertion portion41is provided at a relatively end of the cylindrical shape and corresponds to a portion that is inserted into the spout20. The spout insertion portion41is configured to have an outside diameter that is substantially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the passage23of the spout20. In addition, the spout insertion portion41has an end portion41a(corresponding to the contact portion) positioned on the endmost side.

The end portion41ais configured to be substantially flush with the surface of the contact portion24of the spout20when the flange43is abutted with the flange of the outlet port21of the spout20. The end portion41acontacts the squeeze members31,32via the sheets of the bag body11in a state of being substantially flush with the contact portion24.

Contact herein has the same meaning as that described with regard to the contact portion24of the spout20. In addition, inFIG. 5E, the contact portion24and the end portion41aoverlap. In order to illustrate the contact portion24and the end portion41adistinctively, the line of the end portion41ais designed to be slightly displaced from the line of the contact portion24and illustrated by the two-dot chain line.

The flange43is provided at a position such that the end portion41ais substantially flush with the contact portion24when the nozzle40is inserted into the spout20as described above. The pump connection portion42is a portion that is positioned on the base side of the nozzle40and connected to the pump50, and has a shape that is the same as a conventionally known one and is not elaborated. As illustrated inFIGS. 4C, 5Eand the like, the attachment groove44has a groove shape, which is provided on the outer side surface of the substantially cylindrical shape and to which a sealing member, e.g., an O-ring, is attached.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1C, the pump50pumps the viscous material delivered through the nozzle40, which is inserted into the spout20, via a pipe51or the like. As the pump50, for example, a plunger pump, a gear pump, or a screw pump may be adopted, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The motor60is a feature for supplying power for operating the squeeze members31,32constituting the squeeze portion30, and the attachment members33, and is not elaborated because it is the same as conventionally known one. The control portion70includes a CPU, a memory, an I/O interface and the like for operating the pump50and the motor60.

As illustrated inFIG. 1Aor the like, the movement portion80includes a placement portion81on which the squeeze portion30, the motor60, and the pump50are disposed, rollers82for configuring the placement portion81to be movable, and a handle portion83for movement of the viscous material feed apparatus100by humans or the like.

The placement portion81is formed of a plate material or the like formed of metal. The rollers82are rollers disposed on the four corners of the lower part of the placement portion81, enabling movement of the viscous material feed apparatus100. The handle portion83is configured as, for example, a metal pipe shape is attached to an upper part of the placement portion81, and is a handle portion for movement of the viscous material feed apparatus100by humans or the like.

Next, a viscous material feed method according to the present embodiment is described.FIG. 8is a flowchart describing a viscous material feed method according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 9A to 9Care views describing a state of delivering a viscous material housed in a bag body.FIG. 10is a view describing a state of delivering a nozzle from a spout.FIG. 11is a view describing a state of inserting a nozzle into a new (different) container.

The viscous material feed method is briefly described with reference toFIG. 8. The viscous material feed method includes insertion of the nozzle40to the spout20(step ST1), actuation of the pump50(step ST2), squeeze operation of the squeeze portion30(step ST3), stop of the pump50(step ST4), and withdrawal of the nozzle40(step ST5).

First, as illustrated inFIGS. 5A to 5E, the nozzle40is inserted and attached to the passage23of the spout20, and the end opposite to the spout20is held and set by the holding portion36(step ST1). Then, the pump50is actuated (step ST2).

Next, as illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B, while the state in which the squeeze members31,32are used to press and hold the bag body11is maintained, the attachment members33are moved toward the spout20on the linear guides35to perform the squeeze operation. Thus, a viscous material M present in parts of the housing space12of the bag body11excluding the circumference of the spout20is moved toward the spout20.

Furthermore, the viscous material M present in the housing space12is delivered to the outside through the nozzle40inserted into the spout20. As illustrated inFIG. 9C, the squeeze operation is completed when the squeeze members31,32contact the contact portion24of the spout20and the end portion41aof the spout insertion portion41of the nozzle40via the sheets of the bag body11(step ST3). The viscous material M delivered through the nozzle40is pumped by the pump50.

Next, the pump50is stopped (step ST4). After the pump50is stopped, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the nozzle40is withdrawn from the spout20(step ST5). Thus, the viscous material M, which would otherwise conventionally remain in the passage23of the spout20, is removed in a state of being introduced inside the nozzle40.

In cases where the viscous material M in an amount corresponding to a number of bag bodies11is delivered, when the delivery of the viscous material M from all the bag bodies11is not completed (step ST6: NO), the bag body11is replaced with a new one (step ST7). Then, until the delivery of the viscous material M from all the bag bodies11is completed (step ST6: YES), as illustrated inFIG. 11, the operation from the insertion of the nozzle40, in which the viscous material M is housed inside (step ST1), into a spout20aattached to a new bag body11afilled with the viscous material M, to the withdrawal of the nozzle40(step STS) is repeated.

Next, a functional effect according to the present embodiment is described. In the present embodiment, the squeeze portion30is used to squeeze the bag body11to prevent the creation of wrinkles on the bag body11, preventing the viscous material M from remaining in the bag body11by prevention of wrinkles. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is configured such that not only does the squeeze portion30squeeze the bag body11, but the nozzle40is inserted into the passage23of the spout20to introduce and withdraw the viscous material M remaining in the passage23of the spout20into the nozzle40, and the nozzle40is inserted into a different spout20aattached to a new bag body11afilled with the viscous material M to perform delivery of the viscous material M. Therefore, the viscous material M remaining in the passage23of the spout20, which cannot be delivered by the squeeze portion30only, can be delivered. Thus, the viscous material M remaining inside the container10can be further reduced.

In addition, the spout20is configured to include the contact portion24having a shape that corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the squeeze members31,32constituting the squeeze portion30. Therefore, the space formed between the sheets constituting the bag body11and the spout20when the squeeze members31,32are moved to contact the spout20can be close to 0 (zero). Thus, the viscous material M remaining between the sheets of the bag body11and the spout20can be reduced, enabling a reduction in viscous material M remaining in the container10.

In addition, the nozzle40is configured to include the end portion41ahaving a shape that corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the squeeze members31,32constituting the squeeze portion30. Therefore, similar to the contact portion24of the spout20, the viscous material M remaining between the sheets of the bag body11and the nozzle40can be reduced when the squeeze members31,32contact the spout20. Thus, the viscous material M remaining inside the container10can be reduced.

In addition, the viscous material feed apparatus100is configured to include the pump50for pumping the viscous material M delivered through the nozzle40. Therefore, the viscous material M delivered from the bag body11can be fed efficiently.

In addition, the bag body11is configured to include the reduction portion15in which the cross-sectional area of the housing space12is reduced toward the spout20. Therefore, the viscous material M in the housing space12can be efficiently led to the spout20when the squeeze members31,32are used to squeeze the bag body11, enabling a further reduction in viscous material M remaining in the bag body11constituting the container10.

In addition, as described with regard to the viscous material feed method, when it is configured such that the pump50is stopped before the withdrawal of the nozzle40from the spout20, air hardly enters the viscous material M housed inside the nozzle40. Thus, the viscous material M can be delivered efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, but various changes may be made within the scope of the claims.

In the above, the embodiment in which the viscous material feed apparatus100includes the movement portion80is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the viscous material feed apparatus100may be configured not to include the movement portion80when it is a stationary type. In addition, in the above, the embodiment in which the bag body11is placed in a horizontal or laid-down state is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the bag body11may be configured to be arranged in an upright state.

In addition, as illustrated inFIGS. 5A to 5E, the outer side surface of the nozzle40is configured to have substantially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the outlet port21of the spout20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As far as the viscous material M remaining inside the spout20can be introduced into the nozzle40, a gap may be formed in a radiation direction or a radial direction between the outer side surface of the nozzle40and the inner circumferential surface of the passage23of the spout20. Even in such case, as compared with the case where the nozzle40is not arranged inside the passage23of the spout20, the viscous material M remaining inside the passage23of the spout20constituting the container10can be reduced.

In addition, the embodiment in which the end portion41aof the nozzle40is flush with the contact portion24when the flange43is abutted with the flange of the outlet portion21of the spout20is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The end portion41amay be configured not to be flush with the contact portion24, but to be positioned inside the passage23of the spout20, which is spaced from the housing space12of the bag body11relative to the contact portion24when the nozzle40is attached to the spout20. Even in such case, as compared with the case where the nozzle40is not arranged inside the passage23of the spout20, the viscous material M remaining inside the passage23of the spout20constituting the container10can be reduced.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-183341 filed on Sep. 16, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST