Patent Publication Number: US-2023134270-A1

Title: Tape, zipper tape, and container with tape and method for manufacture therefor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a tape, a zipper tape, a container equipped with a tape, and a method of manufacturing the container equipped with the tape. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As a packaging material for packaging various articles such as food, medicine, medical products, and miscellaneous goods, a packaging bag equipped with a zipper tape has been used, in which a pair of belt-shaped zipper tapes including a male member and a female member that engages with each other is disposed on an opening of the bag. The zipper tapes are engageable and disengageable with each other. Such a packaging bag equipped with a zipper tape is sealed by sealing an upper portion of the zipper tape. It is possible to unseal the packaging bag equipped with the zipper tape in such a manner as to tear a film of a bag body from, for example, a cutout, serving as a start position provided on each of both sides of the packaging bag. 
     As an example of such a technique, Patent Literature 1 (for example,  FIG.  10   , etc.) discloses a technique which stably guides tearing of a film of a bag body using thin portions and thick portions provided on bases of a zipper tape. The zipper tape is bonded to each of both surfaces of the bag body. A position of the thin portion on the zipper tape bonded to one surface is different from a position of the thin portion on the zipper tape bonded to the other surface. Providing the thin portions at different positions causes end portions of the zipper tape after tearing the film to be formed at different levels, and makes it easier to widen an opening by applying fingers, etc., to the end portion of the zipper tape when contents are taken out from the bag body. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature(s) 
     Patent Literature 1: JP 2011-104334 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, in the technique described in Patent Literature 1, end portions of a zipper tape after unsealing may be formed at different levels or may not be formed at different levels depending on a direction in which a force for tearing a bag body acts. 
     Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a tape, a zipper tape, a container equipped with a tape, and a method of manufacturing the container equipped with the tape, which are able to more reliably cause shapes of end portions after unsealing to be formed at different levels regardless of the direction in which the tearing force acts. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     [1] A tape including, in a cross-sectional shape thereof: a first portion; and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being configured to be at least partially opposed to each other, in which the first portion includes thick portions each provided in corresponding one of a first region and a third region, out of the first region, a second region, and the third region in a width direction of the tape, a first thin portion and a second thin portion provided at respective both end portions, in the width direction, of the second region, the second region being positioned between the first region and the third region, and at least one intermediate portion provided between the first thin portion and the second thin portion, and the second portion includes thick portions that are each provided in corresponding one of the first region and the third region and are extending beyond end portions, in the width direction, of the second region, and at least one third thin portion that is provided in the second region and is opposed to the intermediate portion. 
     [2] The tape according to [1], in which the intermediate portion has a thickness corresponding to thicknesses of the thick portions. 
     [3] The tape according to [1] or [2], in which the first thin portion, the second thin portion, and the third thin portion each have a thickness in a range from 10 μm to 200 μm, and the thick portions each provided in the corresponding one of the first region and the third region each have a thickness in a range from 200 μm to 700 μm. 
     [4] The tape according to any one of [1] to [3], in which the first region, the second region, and the third region cover the tape entirely. 
     [5] The tape according to any one of [1] to [4], in which the first portion and the second portion are coupled to each other at respective end portions, in the width direction, of the first portion and the second portion in the first region or the third region, the respective end portions being on a side opposite to the second region. 
     [6] A zipper tape including, in a cross-sectional shape thereof: a first portion; 
     and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being configured to be at least partially opposed to each other, in which the first portion and the second portion each include, in a cross-sectional shape thereof, a base strip and an engagement portion, the engagement portions projecting from the respective base strips and being engageable with each other, the first portion includes a thick portion provided in a first region, out of the first region, a second region, and a third region in a width direction of the zipper tape, a thick portion that is provided in the third region and is continuous with the base strip, a first thin portion and a second thin portion provided at respective both end portions, in the width direction, of the second region, the second region being positioned between the first region and the third region, and at least one intermediate portion provided between the first thin portion and the second thin portion, and the second portion includes thick portions that are each provided in corresponding one of the first region and the third region and are extending beyond end portions, in the width direction, of the second region, and at least one third thin portion that is provided in the second region and is opposed to the intermediate portion. 
     [7] The zipper tape according to [6], in which the intermediate portion has a thickness corresponding to thicknesses of the thick portions. 
     [8] The zipper tape according to [6] or [7], in which the first thin portion, the second thin portion, and the third thin portion each have a thickness in a range from 10 μm to 200 μm, and the thick portions each provided in the corresponding one of the first region and the third region each have a thickness in a range from 200 μm to 700 μm. 
     [9] The zipper tape according to any one of [6] to [8], in which the first region, the second region, and the third region cover an entire region excluding the base strips and the engagement portions of the zipper tape. 
     [10] The tape according to any one of [6] to [9], in which the first portion and the second portion are coupled to each other at respective end portions, in the width direction, of the first portion and the second portion in the first region, or at respective end portions, in the width direction, of the base strips, the respective end portions of the first portion and the second portion being on a side opposite to the second region, the respective end portions of the base strips being on a side opposite to the third region. 
     [11] A container equipped with a tape, the container including: a container body having a first surface and a second surface that are at least opposed to each other; and the tape according to any one of [1] to [5] or the zipper tape according to any one of [6] to [10] in which at least a portion of the first portion is bonded to the first surface and at least a portion of the second portion is bonded to the second surface. 
     [12] The container equipped with the tape according to [11], in which the thick portions and the intermediate portion of the first portion are bonded to the first surface, and the thick portions of the second portion are bonded to the second surface. 
     [13] The container equipped with the tape according to [11] or [12], in which the container body has a bag shape. 
     [14] The container equipped with the tape according to any one of [11] to [13], in which side seal portions where the first surface and the second surface are bonded to each other are provided at both ends of the container body, and a cutout is provided at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the tape or the zipper tape in an overlapping manner on each of the side seal portions. 
     [15] The container equipped with the tape according to [14], in which the cutout is provided within the first portion including a taper portion or a bulging portion directed toward the first thin portion and the second thin portion, and the cutout is provided within the second portion including a taper portion or a bulging portion directed toward the third thin portion. 
     [16] The container equipped with the tape according to [15], in which the cutout is provided within the first portion including a first bulging portion and a second bulging portion respectively directed toward the first thin portion and the second thin portion, and 
     the cutout is provided within the second portion including a taper portion directed toward the third thin portion. 
     [17] The container equipped with the tape according to [16], in which the first bulging portion projects toward a center in the longitudinal direction of the tape or the zipper tape at a great degree as compared with the second bulging portion. 
     [18] The container equipped with the tape according to [15], in which the cutout is provided within the first portion including a first taper portion and a second taper portion respectively directed toward the first thin portion and the second thin portion, and 
     the cutout is provided within the second portion including a taper portion directed toward the third thin portion. 
     [19] The container equipped with the tape according to [14], in which the cutout is provided within the first portion including a first taper portion directed toward the first thin portion, and at least one inclined side or a curved part to be directed to the first taper portion, the cutout is provided within the second portion including a taper portion or a bulging portion directed toward the third thin portion, and, in a case where the first portion and the second portion are overlapped with each other, the at least one inclined side or the curved part traverses the third thin portion. 
     [20] The container equipped with the tape according to any one of [15] to [19], in which a first position where the taper portion or the bulging portion couples to the first thin portion in the first portion and a second position where the taper portion or the bulging portion couples to the third thin portion in the second portion are different from each other in the longitudinal direction of the zipper tape. 
     [21] The container equipped with the tape according to [20], in which the second position is close to the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the zipper tape as compared with the first position. 
     [22] The container equipped with the tape according to [21], in which a distance between the first position and the second position is in a range from 2 mm to 50 mm. 
     [23] A method of manufacturing the container equipped with the tape according to any one of [14] to [22], the method including: forming the cutouts in the tape or the zipper tape; bonding the tape or the zipper tape in which the cutouts are formed to the container body; and forming the side seal portions each traversing the cutouts on the container body to which the tape or the zipper tape is bonded. 
     According to the above-described configurations, in both a case where a force acts on the first surface side and a case where a force acts on the second surface side after attachment of the tape or the zipper tape to the bag body, a relationship is established that a thin portion which is provided on one of the sides opposite to a thin portion provided on the other side on which the force acts is positioned on a containing space. This makes it possible to more reliably cause shapes of the end portions after unsealing to be formed at different levels regardless of a direction in which a tearing force acts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view of a bag equipped with a tape according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a diagram illustrating a case where a force acts on a first surface side in an example illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3 B  is a diagram illustrating a case where a force acts on a second surface side in the example illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram for describing an example of a method of manufacturing a tape according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a shape of a cutout in an example illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  5 B  is a diagram illustrating an example of a shape of a cutout in the example illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of an example of a tape according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a plan view of a bag equipped with a zipper tape according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XI-XI of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view of an example of a zipper tape according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the second exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating another example of a cutout according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating another example of the cutout according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a diagram illustrating another example of the cutout according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a diagram illustrating another example of the cutout according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The following describes preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that, in this description and the accompanying drawings, components that have substantially the same functional configuration are indicated by the same reference signs, and thus redundant description thereof is omitted. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    is a plan view of a bag equipped with a tape according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of  FIG.  1   . As illustrated in the drawings, a bag  100  equipped with a tape includes: a bag body  110  including a film and having a first surface  111 A and a second surface  111 B that are opposed to each other; and a tape  120  bonded to each of the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111 B of the bag body  110 , to define one side of a containing space SP provided between the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111 B. 
     The bag body  110  includes, for example, a single-layer or multi-layer thermoplastic resin film. Specifically, a thermoplastic resin may be low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or polypropylene (PP). PP may be polypropylene homopolymer (HPP), polypropylene random copolymer (RPP), or polypropylene block copolymer (BPP). In a case where the bag body  110  includes a multi-layered film, biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), or biaxially oriented nylon (ONy) may be used for a surface base. These are each not limited to a resin derived from a fossil fuel, and may each be an environmentally friendly bioplastic or a mixture of a resin derived from a fossil fuel and a bioplastic. Examples of the bioplastic preferably include bio-polyethylene. Further, the film included in the bag body  110  may include a layer of a metallic material such as aluminum or a layer of an inorganic material. For example, the bag body  110  may include a monomaterial resin composition which includes polyethylene as a main component, as with the tape  120  or a zipper tape  220  to be described later. This enables achievement of an environmentally friendly configuration having excellent recyclability. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the bag body  110  may be formed by overlapping two films with each other, and bonding the two films to each other at a top seal portion  112 , a bottom seal portion  113 , and a side seal portion  114 . However, in another exemplary embodiment, the bag body  110  may be formed by folding a single film at a part corresponding to the side seal portion  114 . Further, in the bag body  110 , a part in which the film is folded inward, that is, a so-called gusset, may be formed in a part corresponding to the bottom seal portion  113  or the side seal portion  114 . In this case, the gusset may be formed by the same film as that of the first surface  111 A or the second surface  111 B, or by another film that is different therefrom. The bag  100  equipped with the tape may also be a stand up pouch which is able to be placed upright by the gusset being formed at a bottom of the bag  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the tape  120  is an elongated material that includes, in a cross-sectional shape thereof, a first portion  120 A and a second portion  120 B that are opposed to each other. The first portion  120 A includes, in a cross-sectional shape thereof, a first thick portion  121 A, a second thick portion  122 A, thin portions  123 A and  123 B, and an intermediate portion  124 . The second portion  120 B includes, in a cross-sectional shape thereof, a first thick portion  121 B, a second thick portion  122 B, and a thin portion  123 C. The first thick portions  121 A and  121 B and the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B may not necessarily have the same thickness, but the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as thin portions  123 ) are each a portion that is thinner than both the first thick portions  121 A and  121 B and the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as thick portions  121  and  122 ). The intermediate portion  124  is thicker than the thin portions  123 A and  123 B. A magnitude relation in thickness of the intermediate portion  124  versus the thick portions  121 A and  122 A is not necessarily limited. However, in a case where the intermediate portion  124  is bonded to the first surface  111 A together with the thick portions  121 A and  122 A as in the illustrated example, for example, it is preferable that the intermediate portion  124  has a thickness corresponding to thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A. Here, the corresponding thickness does not necessarily have to be exactly the same thickness as the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A, but means a thickness that is close to an extent that is easy enough to bond the thick portions  121 A and  122 A and the intermediate portion  124  to the same surface, i.e., the first surface  111 A, as in the illustrated example, for example. Specifically, the thickness of the intermediate portion  124  is preferably within a range of ±20% of the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A, more preferably within a range of ±10% of the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A, and still more preferably the same thickness as the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A. In a case where the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A are different from each other, it is preferable that the thickness of the intermediate portion  124  is within the ranges described above with respect to an average value of the thicknesses of the thick portions  121 A and  122 A. Setting the thickness of the intermediate portion  124  within the above ranges allows the intermediate portion  124  to be more reliably bonded to the first surface  111 A. The same applies to the intermediate portion provided on the second portion  120 B in an example to be described later. 
     The first portion  120 A is bonded to the first surface  111 A of the bag body  110  at the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A. Also, the second portion  120 B is bonded to the second surface  111 B of the bag body  110  at the first thick portion  121  B and the second thick portion  122 B. In the illustrated example, the first portion  120 A is bonded to the first surface  111 A also at the intermediate portion  124 ; however, the intermediate portion  124  may not be bonded to the first surface  111 A. From a viewpoint of facilitating alignment during manufacturing, it is advantageous to bond the intermediate portion  124  to the first surface  111 A. Further, respective entire surfaces of the first thick portions  121 A and  121 B and the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B may not be bonded to the first surface  111 A or the second surface  111 B. For example, parts adjacent to the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C, of the first thick portions  121 A and  121 B and the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B may not be bonded to the first surface  111 A or the second surface  111  B. In this case, a part having a thickness midway between the thickness of the thick portion  121  or  122  and the thickness of the thin portion  123  may be provided between the thick portion  121  or  122  and the thin portion  123 . 
     The tape  120  described above is formed, for example, by extrusion molding of a polyolefin-based resin. More specifically, the tape  120  may include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or polypropylene (PP). PP may be polypropylene homopolymer (HPP), polypropylene random copolymer (RPP), or polypropylene block copolymer (BPP). These are each not limited to a resin derived from a fossil fuel, and may each be an environmentally friendly bioplastic or a mixture of a resin derived from a fossil fuel and a bioplastic. Examples of the bioplastic preferably include bio-polyethylene. To the material of the tape  120 , a known additive such as a stabilizer, an antioxidant, a lubricant, an antistatic agent, or a colorant may be added as necessary. 
     The tape  120  may include a monomaterial resin composition which includes polyethylene as a main component. In this case, the tape  120  as a whole, that is, the first thick portions  121 A and  121  B, the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B, the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C, and the intermediate portion  124 , each include the resin composition which includes polyethylene as the main component. Here, the main component is a component that occupies a predetermined percentage or more of the resin composition, and a content of the component is usually more than or equal to 50 mass %, preferably more than or equal to 70 mass %, more preferably more than or equal to 90 mass %, still more preferably more than or equal to 95 mass %, particularly preferably more than or equal to 98 mass %, and most preferably 100%. However, even in the case where the content of the main component is 100%, mixing of an additive and impurities is acceptable. The main component is confirmable by, for example, an IR method. The tape  120  including the monomaterial resin composition which includes polyethylene as the main component enables an environmentally friendly configuration having excellent recyclability. Further, using bio-polyethylene as polyethylene makes it possible to achieve an environmentally friendly configuration which is further excellent in recyclability. 
     Here, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a first region R 1 , a second region R 2 , and a third region R 3  are defined in a width direction of the tape  120 . Those regions are each common to the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B of the tape  120 , in a state in which the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B are opposed to each other. The second region R 2  is positioned between the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 . The first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  may cover the tape  120  entirely in the width direction as in the example illustrated in  FIG.  2   , or may not cover the tape  120  entirely as in another example to be described later. The first portion  120 A includes: the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 ; the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 B provided at respective both end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2 ; and the intermediate portion  124  provided between the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 B. In contrast, the second portion  120 B includes the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B that are respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3  and are extending beyond the end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2 . In other words, the second portion  120 B includes the first thick portion  121  B and the second thick portion  122 B respectively provided from the first region R 1  or the third region R 3 , over a portion of the second region R 2 . The thin portion  123 C provided in the second region R 2  of the second portion  120 B is opposed to the intermediate portion  124  of the first portion  120 A. 
     As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 B are provided at the both end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2  in the first portion  120 A, whereas the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B extend beyond the respective end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2  in the second portion  120 B. Thus, the thin portions  123 A and  123 B are each not opposed to the thin portion of the second portion  120 B. The thin portion  123 C provided in the second portion  120 B is not opposed to a region of the thin portions  123 A and  123 B of the first portion  120 A, but is opposed to the intermediate portion  124  provided between the thin portions. As a result, in a case where the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B are opposed to each other, the thin portions  123 A to  123 C are disposed alternately in the width direction of the tape  120 . Specifically, the thin portion  123 A, the thin portion  123 C, and the thin portion  123 B are disposed in this order from a top seal portion  112  side without being overlapped with each other. 
     With such a configuration, the bag  100  equipped with the tape according to the exemplary embodiment makes it possible, in a case where, for example, a user tears and unseals the bag body  110  from a notch  115  as a starting point, to cause end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels. The notch  115  is provided in the side seal portion  114  at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the tape  120 . Specifically, for example, in a case where a force F for tearing the bag body  110  acts on a first surface  111 A side as illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , the thin portion  123 A breaks at the first portion  120 A of the tape  120 , the thin portion  123 C breaks at the second portion  120 B of the tape  120 , and the tearing of the bag body  110  is guided along the thin portions  123 A and  123 C. This causes the end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels. In a case where the force F for tearing the bag body  110  acts on a second surface  111 B side as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , the thin portion  123 C breaks at the second portion  120 B of the tape  120 , the thin portion  123 B breaks at the first portion  120 A of the tape  120 , and the tearing of the bag body  110  is guided along the thin portions  123 B and  123 C. This also causes the end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels. 
     According to the findings of the inventors of the invention, the end portions of the tape  120  after the breakage tends to be formed at different levels in a case where, with respect to a thin portion provided on a side (i.e., the first surface  111 A side in the example of  FIG.  3 A  or the second surface  111  B side in the example of  FIG.  3 B ) on which the force F for tearing the bag body  110  acts, a thin portion provided on the opposite side is positioned on a containing space SP side. Accordingly, in a case where, for example, the thin portion  123 B is not provided in the first portion  120 A of the tape  120  in the above-described example, the end portions of the tape  120  after the unsealing are formed at different levels by breaking the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 C if the force F acts on the first surface  111 A side as in the example illustrated in  FIG.  3 A . However, if the force F acts on the second surface  111  B side as in the example illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , there is a possibility that the end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing may not be formed at different levels. A reason for this is that the thin portion  123 A is positioned close to the top seal portion  112  side as compared with the thin portion  123 C, thus, the first portion  120 A breaks not at the thin portion  123 A but near the intermediate portion  124  (this portion is not called “intermediate portion” in the case where the thin portion  123 B is not provided). 
     In contrast, the exemplary embodiment satisfies a relationship that a thin portion which is provided on a side opposite to a thin portion provided on the other side on which the force acts is positioned on the containing space SP side, in both the case where the force acts on the first surface  111 A side and the case where the force acts on the second surface  111  B side as described above. Therefore, it is possible to cause the end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels more reliably regardless of the direction in which the force acts. This makes it easier to, as described above, widen the opening by applying fingers, etc., to the end portion of the tape when contents are taken out of the bag body. In order to make it further easier to widen the opening, a rib directed to an inside of the bag body may be provided on an end portion of each portion (the thick portion or the intermediate portion) other than the thin portion. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C may be thinner than adjacent portions, i.e., the thick portions  121  and  122  and the intermediate portion  124 , and may each have a thickness of, for example, less than or equal to 200 μm in such a manner as to break easily by the force described above. The thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C each have a thickness of preferably less than or equal to 150 μm, more preferably less than or equal to 120 μm, still more preferably less than or equal to 100 μm, and particularly preferably less than or equal to 80 μm. Setting the thickness within such a range makes it possible to lower a tensile strength, and to break the thin portion more easily. A lower limit of the thickness of each of the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C is not particularly limited, but is usually 10 μm. 
     In contrast, the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C each have a size in the width direction of the tape  120  of usually more than or equal to 10 μm, and preferably more than or equal to 30 μm. An upper limit thereof is usually 3 mm, and preferably less than or equal to 1 mm. Setting the size within this range improves an unsealing property owing to interaction with R (a curvature radius) of a cutout  131  to be described in an example below, for example. 
     In a case where the tape  120  is formed by, for example, extrusion-molding, thickness transition portions are formed between: the thick portions  121  and  122  or the intermediate portion  124 ; and the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C. In this case, the thin portions  123 A,  1238 , and  123 C are each specified as a portion which is thinner than the thinner one of the thick portions  121  and  122  or the intermediate portion  124  on both sides. Thus, if the respective thicknesses of the thick portions  121  and  122  or the intermediate portion  124  on the both sides are different from each other, portions (the thickness transition portions) that are each neither the thick portion, nor the intermediate portion, nor the thin portion may be present between the thicker ones and the thin portions  123 A,  1238 , and  123 C. Further, in the case where the thicknesses of the thin portions  123 A,  1238 , and  123 C are specifically defined as described above, the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C are each specified as a portion satisfying the definition of the thickness. In this case, the portions (the thickness transition portions) that are each neither the thick portion, nor the intermediate portion, nor the thin portion may be present between: the thick portions  121  and  122  or the intermediate portion  124 ; and the thin portions  123 A,  1238 , and  123 C. 
     In contrast, the thick portions  121  and  122  may be thicker than the adjacent thin portions  123 A,  1238 , and  123 C, and may each have a thickness of, for example, preferably more than or equal to 200 μm, more preferably more than or equal to 250 μm, and still more preferably more than or equal to 300 μm. Setting the thickness of each of the thick portions  121  and  122  to more than or equal to 200 μm makes it possible to increase a tensile strength, and to prevent the thick portions  121  and  122  from being broken by the force at the time of unsealing. An upper limit of the thickness of each of the thick portions  121  and  122  is not particularly limited, but is usually 700 μm. Setting the thickness of each of the thick portions  121  and  122  to less than or equal to 700 μm makes it possible to prevent generation of a pinhole due to melting and flattening. 
     In addition, as described above, the bag body  110  is formed by overlapping two films with each other, or by folding a single film. In the case where the two films are overlapped with each other, directions in which crystals are oriented are adjusted between the film of the first surface  111 A and the film of the second surface  111 B, thereby guiding the tearing of the bag body  110  from the notch  115  as the starting point to be directed in different directions between the first surface  111 A side and the second surface  111 B side. This makes it possible to easily cause the end portions of the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels. Similarly, in the case where the single film is folded, a fold between the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111 B is adjusted in such a manner as to be non-parallel and non-perpendicular with respect to a direction in which crystals are oriented. This also makes it possible to easily cause the end portions of the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram for describing an example of a method of manufacturing a tape according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. As also illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the bag  100  equipped with the tape according to the exemplary embodiment has the cutout  131  that is provided in an overlapping manner on the side seal portion  114  at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 . The cutout  131  is formed, for example, when the bag  100  equipped with the tape is continuously manufactured by a bag making machine, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . Specifically, the cutouts  131  (openings at this point) are formed on the elongated tape  120  at an interval that is equal to a width of the bag body  110  that has been manufactured, that is, an interval of the side seal portions  114 . Thereafter, the tape  120  is bonded to the bag body  110 , and the side seal portion  114  that traverses the cutout  131 , the top seal portion  112 , and the bottom seal portion  113  are formed. The bag body  110  to which the tape  120  is bonded is cut along the center of the side seal portion  114 , thereby obtaining the bag  100  equipped with the tape as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In a case where the user attempts to tear the bag body  110  from, as the starting point, the notch  115  formed in the side seal portion  114  on the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 , for example, the cutout  131  thus formed guides the tearing of the bag body  110  from the notch  115  as the starting point to proceed along the thin portion formed in the tape  120 . Specifically, for example, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 A , the first portion  120 A side of the tape  120  may have a cutout  131 A having a shape including a taper portion  132 A that is bifurcated toward the thin portions  123 A and  123 B. Further, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B , the second portion  120 B side of the tape  120  may have a cutout  131  B having a shape including a single taper portion  132 B directed toward the thin portion  123 C. As described above, the cutouts  131  are formed in the respective shapes adapted to the positions of the thin portions provided in the first portion  120 A of the tape  120  and the position of the thin portion provided in the second portion  120 B of the tape  120 . This makes it possible to more easily and reliably obtain effects of causing the end portions of the tape  120  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels as described above. Further, it is preferable that an end of the taper portion has R (the curvature radius). Having R makes it possible to guide the tearing to the thin portion even if slight deviation occurs in a position of an end of a sharp angle during processing, and thus makes it possible to reduce the number of rejected products. R is, for example, in a range from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm. 
       FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of an example of a tape according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The tape  120  attached to the bag body  110  in the example described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2    is supplied independently prior to the attachment to the bag body  110 . In this case, the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B may be coupled to each other at any position and supplied. For example, as illustrated in the drawings, the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B may be supplied in a state in which the respective end portions, in the width direction, of the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B in the third region R 3  are coupled to each other. The respective end portions are on a side opposite to the second region R 2  illustrated in  FIG.  2   , i.e., between the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B. Alternatively, the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B may be supplied in a state in which the respective end portions, in the width direction, of the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B in the first region R 1  are coupled to each other. The respective end portions are on a side opposite to the second region R 2  illustrated in  FIG.  2   , i.e., between the first thick portions  121 A and  121 B. In this case, it is also possible to cause the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B of the tape  120  to be opposed to each other by decoupling or folding a coupled portion. In other words, the tape  120  according to the exemplary embodiment does not necessarily have to have the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B that are opposed to each other at the time of supplying, and may be configured in such a manner that it is possible to cause the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B to be opposed to each other. 
     In the example described above, the coupled portion between the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B of the tape  120  is finally decoupled. However, a process of decoupling the coupled portion may be performed prior to attaching the tape  120  to the bag body  110 , or may be performed after attaching the tape  120  to the bag body  110 . In the latter case, at a point of time when the tape  120  is attached to the bag body  110 , the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B are opposed to each other by the tape  120  being folded at the coupled portion. In this case, it is possible to cause the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B to be opposed to each other in a fixed positional relation. For example, maintaining a state in which the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B are coupled to each other until the above-described cutouts  131  are formed makes it possible to reduce positional deviation of the cutouts  131  between the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B. 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    are each a cross-sectional view of a modification of the first exemplary embodiment. In the examples described above referring to  FIG.  2   , etc., in the tape  120 , the first portion  120 A includes: the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 ; the thin portions  123 A and  123 B provided at respective both end portions of the second region R 2 ; and the intermediate portion  124  provided between the thin portions  123 A and  123 B. The second portion  120 B includes: the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B that are respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3  and are extending beyond the end portions of the second region R 2 ; and the thin portion  123 C opposed to the intermediate portion  124  of the first portion  120 A. 
     In the example of  FIG.  7   , the first portion  120 A also includes: the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 ; and the thin portions  123 A and  123 B provided at respective both end portions of the second region R 2 . However, in the example of  FIG.  7   , two intermediate portions  124 A and  124 B are provided between the thin portions  123 A and  123 B, and another thin portion  123 D is provided between the intermediate portions  124 A and  124 B. In contrast, in the example of  FIG.  7   , the second portion  120 B also includes the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B that are respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 , and are extending beyond the end portions of the second region R 2 . However, in the example of  FIG.  7   , two thin portions  123 C and  123 E are provided at parts other than the both ends of the second region R 2 . The thin portions  123 C and  123 E are respectively opposed to the intermediate portions  124 A and  124 B of the first portion  120 A. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment, the number of thin portions of the second portion  120 B that are opposed to the intermediate portions of the first portion  120 A is not limited to one, and may be two or more. Also in this case, the thin portion provided in the first portion  120 A and the thin portion provided in second portion  120 B are not opposed to each other. This makes it possible to cause the end portions of the tape  120  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels regardless of the direction in which the force acts as with the example of  FIG.  2   . 
     In the example of  FIG.  8   , the first portion  120 A also includes: the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 ; and the thin portions  123 A and  123 B provided at respective both end portions of the second region R 2 . However, in the example of  FIG.  8   , two intermediate portions  124 A and  124 B are provided between the thin portions  123 A and  123 B, and another thin portion  123 D is provided between the intermediate portions  124 A and  124 B. The example of  FIG.  8    is different from the example of  FIG.  7    in that the thin portion  123 D is not provided midway between the thin portions  123 A and  123 B, but is formed at a position nearer to the thin portion  123 B. The intermediate portion  124 A is therefore wider than the intermediate portion  125 B. In contrast, in the example of  FIG.  8   , the second portion  120 B is formed similarly to the example of  FIG.  2   , and includes the first thick portion  121 B, the second thick portion  122 B, and the thin portion  123 C. The thin portion  123 C is opposed to the intermediate portion  124 A of the first portion  120 A. Also in this case, the thin portion provided in the first portion  120 A and the thin portion provided in second portion  120 B are not opposed to each other. This makes it possible to cause the end portions of the tape  120  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels regardless of the direction in which the force acts as with the example of  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the first exemplary embodiment. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  defined in the width direction of the tape  120  do not cover the tape  120  entirely. In the illustrated example, thin portions  127 A and  127 B are respectively provided at end portions of the tape  120  on sides of the thick portions  121 A and  121  B, and thin portions  127 C and  127 D are respectively provided at end portions of the tape  120  on sides of the thick portions  122 A and  122 B. These thin portions  127 , unlike the thin portions  123  described above, are not intended to be broken when unsealing the bag  100  equipped with the tape. Specifically, for example, the thin portions  127  may be thicker than the thin portions  123 . Alternatively, even if the thin portions  127  are as thin as the thin portions  123 , the thin portions  127  do not break when unsealing the bag  100  equipped with the tape if the taper portion of the cutout  131  as described above with reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  is directed toward the thin portion  123  and is not directed toward the thin portion  127 . In such cases, the first region R 1  is defined as a region in which the thick portion  121 A and the thick portion  121  B are provided (not including the thin portions  127 A and  127 B). In a similar manner, the third region R 3  is defined as a region in which the thick portion  122 A and the thick portion  122 B are provided (not including the thin portions  127 C and  127 D). In the illustrated examples, regions of the thin portions  127 A to  127 D and on sides of the end portions of the thin portions  127 A to  127 D in the width direction of the tape  120  are excluded from the first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3 . 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG.  10    is a plan view of a bag equipped with a zipper tape according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XI-XI of  FIG.  10   . As illustrated in the drawings, a bag  200  equipped with a zipper tape includes: the bag body  110  similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment; and a zipper tape  220  bonded to each of the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111  B of the bag body  110 , to define one side of the containing space SP provided between the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the zipper tape  220  is an elongated material that includes, in a cross-sectional shape thereof, a first portion  220 A and a second portion  220 B that are opposed to each other. The first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B include, in cross-sectional shapes thereof: the first thick portions  121 A and  121 B, the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B, the thin portions  123 A,  123 B, and  123 C, and the intermediate portion  124  which are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment; and base strips  225 A and  225 B and engagement portions  226 A and  226 B which configure a zipper portion. The base strips  225 A and  225 B are respectively bonded to the first surface  111 A and the second surface  111 B of the bag body  110 , and are opposed to each other. The engagement portions  226 A and  226 B respectively project from the base strips  225 A and  225 B, and are engageable with each other. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the second thick portions  122 A and  122 B of the zipper tape  220  are respectively continuous with the base strips  225 A and  225 B. The first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  in a width direction of the zipper tape  220  are defined in such a manner that: the third region R 3  is adjacent to a zipper region including the base strips  225 A and  225 B; and the second region R 2  is positioned between the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 . The first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  may cover an entire region in the width direction excluding the base strips  225 A and  225 B and the engagement portions  226 A and  226 B of the zipper tape  220 , as in the example illustrated in  FIG.  11   , or may not cover the relevant region as in another example to be described later. In the illustrated example, the second thick portions  122 A and  1228  are thicker than the base strips  225 A and  225 B; however, in another example, the second thick portions  122 A and  1228  may have thicknesses that are equal to thicknesses of the base strips  225 A and  2258 . It is to be noted that shapes of the engagement portions  226 A and  226 B are not limited to the illustrated example. It is also possible for the engagement portions  226 A and  226 B to have various shapes of engagement portions of known zippers having a combination of a claw shape, a hook shape, a knob shape, or the like. In the illustrated example, the engagement portion  226 A and the engagement portion  226 B respectively have a male shape and a female shape; however, may be the other way around. In addition, although a pair of engagement portions is disposed in the illustrated example, a plurality of pairs of engagement portions may be disposed. The zipper tape  220  is formed, for example, by extrusion molding of a polyolefin-based resin as in the tape  120  of the first exemplary embodiment. A known additive such as a stabilizer, an antioxidant, a lubricant, an antistatic agent, or a colorant may be added to the material as necessary. Further, the material of the zipper tape  220  is not limited to a resin derived from a fossil fuel, and may be an environmentally friendly bioplastic or a mixture of a resin derived from a fossil fuel and a bioplastic. Examples of the bioplastic preferably include bio-polyethylene. 
     The zipper tape  220  may include a monomaterial resin composition which includes polyethylene as a main component, as with the tape  120  described above. In this case, the zipper tape  220  as a whole includes the resin composition which includes polyethylene as the main component. The zipper tape  220  including the monomaterial resin composition which includes polyethylene as the main component enables an environmentally friendly configuration having excellent recyclability. Further, using bio-polyethylene as polyethylene makes it possible to achieve an environmentally friendly configuration which is further excellent in recyclability. 
     Also in the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  are defined in the width direction of the zipper tape  220 . Those regions are each common to the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B of the zipper tape  220 , in a state in which the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B are opposed to each other. The second region R 2  is positioned between the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 . The first portion  220 A includes: the first thick portion  121 A and the second thick portion  122 A respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3 ; the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 B provided at respective both end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2 ; and the intermediate portion  124  provided between the thin portion  123 A and the thin portion  123 B. In contrast, the second portion  220 B includes the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B that are respectively provided in the first region R 1  and the third region R 3  and are extending beyond the end portions, in the width direction, of the second region R 2 . In other words, the second portion  220 B includes the first thick portion  121 B and the second thick portion  122 B each provided from the first region R 1  or the third region R 3 , over a portion of the second region R 2 . The thin portion  123 C provided in the second region R 2  of the second portion  220 B is opposed to the intermediate portion  124  of the first portion  220 A. As a result, as with the bag  100  equipped with the tape according to the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible in the bag  200  equipped with the zipper tape according to the exemplary embodiment to cause end portions of the zipper tape  220  and the bag body  110  after the unsealing to be formed at different levels, in a case where the user unseals the bag body  110  by tearing the bag body  110  from, as the starting point, the notch  115  formed in the side seal portion  114  on the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 , for example. 
       FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view of an example of a zipper tape according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The zipper tape  220  attached to the bag body  110  in the example described above with reference to  FIGS.  10  and  11    is supplied independently prior to the attachment to the bag body  110 . The first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B may be coupled to each other at any position and supplied. In this case, for example, as illustrated in the drawings, the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B may be supplied in a state in which the respective end portions, in the width direction, of the base strips  225 A and  225 B are coupled to each other. The respective end portions are on a side opposite to the third region R 3 . Alternatively, the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B may be supplied in a state in which the respective end portions, in the width direction, of the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B in the first region R 1  are coupled to each other. The respective end portions are on a side opposite to the second region R 2  illustrated in  FIG.  11   , i.e., between the first thick portions  121 A and  121  B. In this case, it is also possible to cause the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B of the zipper tape  220  to be opposed to each other by decoupling or folding a coupled portion. In other words, the zipper tape  220  according to the exemplary embodiment does not necessarily have to have the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B that are opposed to each other at the time of supplying, and may be configured in such a manner that it is possible to cause the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B to be opposed to each other. 
     In the example described above, the coupled portion between the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B of the zipper tape  220  is finally decoupled. However, a process of decoupling the coupled portion and engaging the engagement portions  226 A and  226 B with each other may be performed prior to attaching the zipper tape  220  to the bag body  110 , or may be performed after attaching the zipper tape  220  to the bag body  110 . In the latter case, at a point of time when the zipper tape  220  is attached to the bag body  110 , the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B of the zipper tape  220  are opposed to each other by the zipper tape  220  being folded at the coupled portion. In this case, it is possible to cause the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B to be opposed to each other in a fixed positional relation. For example, in a case where the cutout  131  as described above with reference to  FIG.  4   , etc., is also formed in the zipper tape  220 , maintaining a state in which the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B are coupled to each other until the cutouts  131  are formed makes it possible to reduce positional deviation of the cutouts  131  between the first portion  220 A and the second portion  220 B. 
       FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the second exemplary embodiment. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3  do not cover the entire region excluding the base strips  225 A and  225 B and the engagement portions  226 A and  226 B of the zipper tape  220 . In the illustrated example, the thin portions  127 A and  127 B are respectively provided at end portions of the zipper tape  220  on sides of the thick portions  121 A and  121 B, and thin portions  227 C and  227 D are respectively provided between the thick portion  122 A and the base strip  225 A and between the thick portion  122 B and the base strip  225 B. As with the thin portion  127 , the thin portion  227  is not intended to be broken when unsealing the bag  200  equipped with the zipper tape. In such a case, the first region Ri is defined as a region in which the thick portion  121 A and the thick portion  121 B are provided (not including the thin portions  127 A and  127 B). In a similar manner, the third region R 3  is defined as a region in which the thick portion  122 A and the thick portion  122 B are provided (not including the thin portions  227 C and  227 D). In the illustrated examples, a region of the thin portions  127 A and  127 B and on sides of the end portions of the thin portions  127 A and  127 B in the width direction of the zipper tape  220  and a region from the thin portions  227 C and  227 D to the base strips  225 A and  225 B are excluded from the first region R 1 , the second region R 2 , and the third region R 3 . 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating another example of a cutout according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A shape of the cutout illustrated in  FIG.  14    is applicable, for example, to both the first and second exemplary embodiments described above. Specifically, the example illustrated in  FIG.  14    has cutouts  231 A and  231 B provided at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  in an overlapping manner on the side seal portion  114  (not illustrated). The cutout  231 A is provided on the first portion  120 A side of the tape  120 , and includes bulging portions  232 A and  232 B respectively directed toward the thin portions  123 A and  123 B. In contrast, the cutout  231 B is provided on the second portion  120 B side of the second portion  120 B, and includes a taper portion  232 C directed toward the thin portion  123 C. Such cutouts  231 A and  231 B enables guiding of the tearing of the bag body to proceed along the thin portion formed in the tape  120 , in the case where the user attempts to tear the bag body from, as the starting point, the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 , for example, as with the example described above with reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . In another example as illustrated in  FIG.  15   , an intermediate portion of the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B may have a shape with no curvature. 
     Herein, the taper portion is a portion in which edges on both sides in a width direction of the cutout are straight and these straight lines are tapered in such a manner as to be gradually narrowed toward the thin portion. In contrast, the bulging portion is a portion in which the shape of the cutout is protruded toward the thin portion. As illustrated in  FIG.  14   , the end of the taper portion may have R (the curvature radius). As described above, giving R to the shape of the cutout makes it possible to guide the tearing to the thin portion even if slight deviation occurs in a position of the cutout during processing, and thus makes it possible to reduce the number of rejected products. In a case where the end of the taper portion has R, the taper portion and the bulging portion are common in including a portion having R toward the thin portion. It is the taper portion in a case where the portion having R has straight edges on both sides thereof. It is the bulging portion in a case where both sides thereof have curved edges, or have straight edges but are not tapered. For example, in the example of  FIG.  14    described above, the taper portion  232 C may be formed as the bulging portion. 
     For the end of the taper portion, R is, for example, in a range from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, as with the example described above. For the bulging portion, R is, for example, in a range from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 1.5 mm, more preferably from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, still more preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and particularly preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  14   , a first position P 1  where the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B of the cutout  231 A respectively couples to the thin portions  123 A and  123 B and a second position P 2  where the taper portion  232 C of the cutout  231  B couples to the thin portion  123 C are different from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 . More specifically, in the illustrated example, the second position P 2  is close to the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  as compared with the first position P 1 . With such a configuration, there is a gap between a timing at which tearing of the thin portion  123 C from the taper portion  232 C is started and a timing at which tearing of the thin portions  123 A and  123 B from the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B is started. This makes it possible to selectively tear the thin portion  123 A or  123 B which has lower resistance. Similarly, in the example described above referring to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , a position where the bifurcated taper portion  132 A of the cutout  131 A is coupled to the thin portions  123 A and  123 B and a position where the taper portion  132 B of the cutout  131 B is coupled to the thin portion  123 C may be different from each other. A distance between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2  in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  is preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm. 
       FIG.  16    is a diagram illustrating still another example of the cutout according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. A shape of the cutout illustrated in  FIG.  16    is applicable, for example, to both the first and second exemplary embodiments described above. The example illustrated in  FIG.  16    also has the cutouts  231 A and  231 B provided at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  in the overlapping manner on the side seal portion  114  (not illustrated). The example of  FIG.  16    is different from the example illustrated in  FIG.  14    in that the bulging portion  232 A, out of the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B included in the cutout  231 A, bulges toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  at a great degree as compared with the bulging portion  232 B. An intermediate portion  233  between the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B thereby has a shape asymmetric with respect to the width direction of the tape  120 , unlike the example of  FIG.  14   . Specifically, the intermediate portion  233  is inclined with respect to the width direction of the tape  120  from the bulging portion  232 B to the bulging portion  232 A. As a result, in a case where the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B of tape  120  are overlapped with each other, the intermediate portion  233  and the thin portion  123 C of the second portion  120 B do not cross each other at a right angle but cross each other obliquely. This allows the tearing to be guided to the bulging portion  232 A and to the thin portion  123 A that follows the bulging portion  232 A, not only in a case where the tearing of the bag body proceeds toward the bulging portion  232 A as indicated by an arrow Q 1  illustrated in  FIG.  16   , but also in a case where the tearing proceeds toward the middle of the bulging portions  232 A and  232 B as indicated by an arrow Q 2 . 
       FIG.  17    is a diagram illustrating still another example of the cutout according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. The example illustrated in  FIG.  17    also has the cutouts  231 A and  231 B provided at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  in the overlapping manner on the side seal portion  114  (not illustrated). The example of  FIG.  17    is different from the example illustrated in  FIG.  14    in that the cutout  231 A of the first portion  120 A of the tape  120  has a taper portion  232 D directed to the thin portion  123 A, and has two inclined sides α and β from a second thick portion  122 A side toward the taper portion  232 D. Here, the inclined side means a part in which an edge on one side of the cutout is inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the tape  120 . Although the illustrated example has two inclined sides α and β, the number of inclined sides may be one, or three or more. Alternatively, a curved part that protrudes outward may be formed in a similar manner as a bent part formed by the inclined sides α and β. In a case where the first portion  120 A and the second portion  120 B of the tape  120  are overlapped with each other, the inclined side or the curved part traverses the thin portion  123 C of the second portion  120 B. This allows, as with the example of  FIG.  16    described above, the tearing to be guided to the taper portion  232 D and to the thin portion  123 A that follows the taper portion  232 D, not only in a case where the tearing of the bag body proceeds toward the taper portion  232 D as indicated by the arrow Q 1 , but also in a case where the tearing proceeds in a direction away from the taper portion  232 D as indicated by the arrow Q 2 . 
     In the examples described above with reference to  FIGS.  16  and  17   , the tearing of the bag body is guided to the thin portion  123 A which is on the side close to the top seal portion  112 , but conversely, the tearing may be guided to the thin portion  123 B which is on the side farther away from top seal portion  112 . Specifically, in the example of  FIG.  16   , the bulging portion  232 B may bulge toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  at a great degree as compared with the bulging portion  232 A. In the example of  FIG.  17   , the taper portion  232 D may be formed toward the thin portion  1238 . 
     Here, for the examples described above with reference to  FIGS.  14  to  17   , the first position P 1  where the bulging portion  232 A or the taper portion  232 D couples to the thin portion  123 A in the first portion  120 A of the tape  120  and the second position P 2  where the taper portion  232 C or the bulging portion couples to the thin portion  123 C in the second portion  1208  of the tape  120  are different from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120 . The second position P 2  is close to the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tape  120  as compared with the first position P 1 . A distance d between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2  is preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 4 mm, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 8 mm. An upper limit thereof is preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 30 mm, and still more preferably less than or equal to 20 mm. 
     The configurations including, without limitation, the thicknesses of the thick portions  121  and  122  and the thin portion  123  described in the first exemplary embodiment are similar to those in the second exemplary embodiment. In addition, any of modifications described above for the first exemplary embodiment is applicable to the second exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiments described above, the first and second portions of the tape and the zipper tape have widths that are approximately equal to each other and are opposed to each other over entire surfaces thereof; however, other exemplary embodiments may be configured in such a manner that one of the first portion and the second portion of the tape or the zipper tape is wider than the other, thus, the first portion and the second portion are partially opposed to each other. 
     In addition, although examples are described above in which a container body is a bag body having a bag shape, a container equipped with a tape or a container equipped with a zipper tape may be provided by bonding a tape or a zipper tape to a container body other than the bag-shaped container body. In addition, an example is described above in which the first thick portion, the second thick portion, the thin portion, and the intermediate portion are continuous with each other; however, for example, in a case where not only the thick portion and the intermediate portion but also the thin portion are bonded to the surface of the container body, at least one part between the thin portion and the first thick portion, the second thick portion, or the intermediate portion, may be separated, and the tape or the zipper tape may be provided as a combination of a plurality of elongated materials. 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. It is apparent that a skilled person in the art to which the invention pertains can arrive at various alterations and modifications within the scope of the technical idea recited in the appended claims, and it is understood that such alterations and modifications naturally fall within the technical scope of the invention.