Patent Description:
Conventionally, there is a refill container for replenishing or filling a packaging container with contents. A pouring spout for pouring out the contents is attached to such a refill container. There are various forms of pouring spouts, such as a form in which a flange part is provided at a base end portion of a spout having a tubular shape and a form in which the flange part is not provided.

For example, the pouring spout proposed in <CIT> is provided with a flange part at a base end portion of a spout having a tubular shape. This pouring spout is proposed to facilitate, when a spout of a flexible pouch turned upside down is fit to a mouth part of a container for repeated use, the pressing of the spout downward by fingertips holding a portion of the spout, enabling a smooth open operation of the above-described closing plate of the spout. To obtain such an effect, in the pouring spout proposed in the same document, the flange part between a pouch inner tubular part and a pouch outer tubular part of the spout is provided with an extending part that outwardly extends end portions opposite to each other in an overlapping direction of a pouch packaging material of the flexible pouch, allowing fingers to be placed on one surface on the pouch inner tubular part side.

<CIT> discloses a container pouring spout that is equipped with a cylindrical pouring section and an attachable section which is attached on one end thereof in the axial direction of the cylindrical pouring section to the container, the pouring spout also having a sealing member for closing the one end side of the cylindrical pouring section, wherein: the sealing member is configured so as to be a separate body from the spout body of the pouring spout; and the sealing member is fitted into the inner-circumferential surface of the cylindrical pouring section on the one end side thereof in a manner such that an external force applied from the other end side which is opposite the one end side in the axial direction removes the sealing member from the inner-circumferential surface of the cylindrical pouring secti on.

<CIT> discloses a pouch vessel, wherein a spout with a mouth part capable of being opened/closed by a screw cap is attached to a vessel body which is formed like a bag by using a flexible sheet. In the mouth part, a circular flange, which overhangs outward from an outer peripheral surface thereof, is continuously provided at the lower end of a thickly formed lower half part, and a protrusive streak, which is protruded outward in a radial direction, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the half part. A groove, which is elongated from an upper end of the half part to an outer edge of the flange, is partially formed in the outer peripheral surface of the half part, including the protrusive streak, and the top surface of the flange. When the mouth part of the pouch vessel is fitted into a mouth part of a bottle vessel, an air outflow passage, which allows the outflow of air in the bottom vessel, is formed between the mouth part of the bottle vessel and the mouth part of the pouch vessel in a part wherein the groove is formed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the pouring spout proposed in <CIT> , the flange part juts significantly outward from a center side of the pouring spout. Therefore, when the flange part is pressed by fingertips, the fingertip of one hand may press the immediate vicinity of the spout, and the fingertip of the other hand may press the vicinity of an outer peripheral portion of the flange part. In this case, the refill container tilts, and the nozzle of the packaging container cannot be accurately inserted into the pouring spout of the refill container. As a result, the contents of the refill container may spill out.

The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pouring spout that allows a nozzle of a packaging container to be accurately inserted into a pouring spout of a refill container.

A combination of a refill container and a packaging container according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems is as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to this invention, both end portions of the flange part separated farthest in the horizontal direction jut slightly outward from an area facing the peripheral wall part, and thus positions of fingers placed on both sides of the tubular part from a center are the same or substantially the same. This makes it possible to make forces of pressing the pouring spout with the fingers placed on both sides of the tubular part the same or substantially the same. Even if the forces of pressing the pouring spout with the fingers placed on both sides of the tubular part differ, the vicinity of the tubular part is pressed, making it possible to suppress the tilting of the refill container. Therefore, it is possible to accurately insert the nozzle of the packaging container into the channel of the pouring spout, and pour the contents of the refill container into the packaging container without spilling.

In the combination of the refill container and the packaging container according to the present invention, the bonded part is formed tapering from a center of the bonded part in one direction of two orthogonal directions toward both sides in the one direction, and has an arcuate outer shape projecting outward in the other direction.

According to this invention, the bonded part is formed tapering from the center of the bonded part in one direction of two orthogonal directions toward both sides in the one direction, and has an arcuate outer shape projecting outward in the other direction, making it possible to secure the channel of the pouring spout in an area in which the pouring spout and the pouch main body part are bonded together. This makes it possible to smoothly transfer contents from the refill container into the packaging container.

In the combination of the refill container and the packaging container according to the present invention, an outer shape of the flange part is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or a combination thereof.

According to this invention, the outer shape of the flange part is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or a combination thereof, making it possible to select a flange part having a design corresponding to an individual refill container.

In the combination of the refill container and the packaging container according to the present invention, the flange part includes an arcuate part having an arcuate shape around the tubular part and jutting outward, and a jutting part jutting outward in the one direction, the jutting part being formed with a dimension in the other direction smaller than a diameter of the tubular part.

According to this invention, the pouring spout includes the jutting part jutting outward in the one direction of the two directions mentioned above, the jutting part being formed with a dimension in the other direction smaller than a diameter of the tubular part, thereby limiting the positions of the flange part where the fingers are placed. As a result, when the flange part is pressed and the nozzle of the packaging container is inserted into the channel, it is possible to maintain a posture of the refill container, suppress tilting, and insert the nozzle more accurately.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pouring spout that allows a nozzle of a packaging container to be accurately inserted into a pouring spout of a refill container.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention includes inventions of the same technical idea as the modes set forth in the embodiments and drawings described below, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those described in the embodiments and drawings, the invention being defined by the appended claims.

A pouring spout <NUM> according to the present invention is the pouring spout <NUM> provided to a refill container <NUM> for pouring contents into a packaging container <NUM>, and for pouring out the contents stored in the refill container <NUM>. The pouring spout <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, includes at least a bonded part <NUM>, a tubular part <NUM>, a flange part <NUM>, a channel <NUM>, and a closing member <NUM>, for example. The bonded part <NUM> is an area bonded to a pouch main body part <NUM> constituting the refill container <NUM>. The tubular part <NUM> is an area for pouring the contents. The flange part <NUM> is an area that juts outward at a boundary portion between the bonded part <NUM> and the tubular part <NUM>. The channel <NUM> is an area for passing the contents from an inside to an outside of the refill container <NUM>. Then, the closing member <NUM> is a component for opening and closing the channel <NUM>.

On the other hand, the packaging container <NUM> includes a container main body <NUM> and a pouring unit <NUM> for pouring the contents stored in the container main body <NUM>. The pouring unit <NUM> includes a nozzle <NUM> for pouring the contents and a peripheral wall part <NUM> surrounding the nozzle <NUM>. Then, both end portions of the flange part <NUM> separated farthest in a horizontal direction jut slightly outward from an area facing the peripheral wall part <NUM>.

"Jut slightly outward" means not projecting significantly from the area facing the peripheral wall part <NUM>. Specifically, both end portions of the flange part <NUM> separated farthest in the horizontal direction are positioned outward within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> (jutting amount on one side) from an area facing the peripheral wall part <NUM>.

According to the pouring spout <NUM> according to the present invention, a distinctive effect of making it possible to provide the pouring spout <NUM> that allows the nozzle <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM> to be accurately inserted into the pouring spout <NUM> of the refill container <NUM>, and the flange to be efficiently pressed to open the closing member is exhibited.

The following describes an overview of the refill container <NUM> provided with the pouring spout <NUM>, a specific configuration of the pouring spout <NUM>, an overview of the packaging container <NUM> used by being replenished with contents stored in the refill container <NUM>, and the action of the pouring spout <NUM>.

The refill container <NUM> provided with the pouring spout <NUM> according to the present invention is mainly used as a container for replenishing the packaging container <NUM> used separately from the refill container <NUM> with contents. The forms and types of the refill container <NUM> are not particularly limited. <FIG> illustrates a standing pouch serving as an example of the refill container <NUM>. This refill container <NUM> includes a pair of flat surface parts <NUM> facing each other, a bottom surface part <NUM> that closes a bottom portion of the refill container <NUM>, and the pouring spout <NUM> according to the present invention.

The flat surface parts <NUM> are sealed together at an upper edge, and sealed together at both side edges. Lower edges of the pair of flat surface parts <NUM> are each sealed at an edge portion of the bottom surface part <NUM> facing the lower edge of the flat surface part <NUM>. The bottom surface part <NUM> is folded in half at a crease <NUM> at a center thereof, and the crease <NUM> is folded toward an upper side of the refill container <NUM>. The bottom surface part <NUM> is configured to allow a bottom portion of the refill container <NUM> to be unfolded by the unfolding of the bottom surface part <NUM> from the folded state in directions in which the flat surface parts <NUM> of the refill container <NUM> are disposed.

The pouring spout <NUM> according to the present invention is attached to an upper edge of the refill container <NUM>. The pouring spout <NUM> is constituted by a spout main body 10a and a cap <NUM> that opens and closes the tubular part <NUM> of the pouring spout <NUM>. Note that, in the present embodiment, a case in which the pouring spout <NUM> is attached to a center of an upper portion of the refill container <NUM> is given as an example. However, while not particularly illustrated in the drawings, the pouring spout <NUM> may be provided in a position shifted to a side part in a width direction in the upper portion of the refill container <NUM>. Further, the refill container <NUM> may be provided with an area communicated by an inclined part where an upper edge and a side edge are obliquely inclined, and the pouring spout <NUM> may be attached to the inclined part.

The refill container <NUM> is used as a container for transferring the contents into the packaging container <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) prepared separately from this refill container <NUM>. When the contents are transferred into the packaging container <NUM>, the cap <NUM> that closes the pouring spout <NUM> is removed, and the refill container <NUM> is turned upside down. Then, the pouring spout <NUM> is pierced into the pouring unit <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM>, and the contents are transferred directly from the refill container <NUM> into the packaging container <NUM>. Note that this action is described in detail later.

In the pouring spout <NUM> of the first embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, an outer diameter of a flange part 13A is formed into a circular shape. The pouring spout <NUM> is constituted by the tubular part <NUM>, the flange part 13A, the bonded part <NUM>, and the closing member <NUM>. The channel <NUM> is formed in an inside of the tubular part <NUM> and the bonded part <NUM>, and is configured so that the contents can be poured through the channel <NUM> to the outside.

The tubular part <NUM> is formed into a cylindrical shape and has a function of pouring the contents of the refill container <NUM> to the outside. As mentioned above, the channel <NUM> is formed on an inner side of the tubular part <NUM> in a mode extending in an axial direction L. On the other hand, a thread part <NUM> is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular part <NUM>. The thread part <NUM> is an area into which the cap <NUM> is screwed by being engaged with threads inside the cap <NUM> for closing the tubular part <NUM>. A guide <NUM> is formed in the channel <NUM> inside the tubular part <NUM>. The guide <NUM> is a constituting part for guiding the nozzle in the axial direction L by being fit into a slit formed in the nozzle <NUM> of the pouring unit <NUM>.

The bonded part <NUM> is an area bonded to the pouch main body part <NUM> of the refill container <NUM>, and has a boat-like outer shape. That is, both side surfaces of the bonded part <NUM>, at a central portion in an X direction, which is one direction of two directions orthogonal to each other, include a jutting part <NUM> that juts in a semicircular shape in a Y direction, which is the other direction, both end portions in the X direction taper toward both end sides, and both side surfaces are connected at both end portions in the X direction. A plurality of protruding parts <NUM> extending in the X direction are formed on each side surface part of the jutting part <NUM>. The protruding part <NUM> projects outward from an outer peripheral surface of the tubular part <NUM> and extends to the vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the flange part 13A. An area between the protruding parts <NUM> is a space. This protruding part <NUM> is a constituting part for facilitating the bonding of the pouring spout <NUM> to the pouch main body part <NUM>.

The closing member <NUM> is a component for opening and closing the channel <NUM>, and has a disk shape. The closing member <NUM> closes the channel <NUM> by being fit onto an inner side of the channel <NUM> on a first surface <NUM> on one end A side of the tubular part <NUM> in the axial direction L, that is, on the bonded part <NUM> side. On the other hand, the closing member <NUM> that closes the channel <NUM> is configured to be removed from the channel <NUM> by an external force applied from a second surface on the other end B side opposite to the first surface <NUM> on the one end A side of the tubular part <NUM> in the axial direction L, toward the one end A side. Therefore, a diameter of the closing member <NUM> is formed to the same size as or slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the channel <NUM>. Such a closing member <NUM> is connected to the spout main body 10a by a coupling member <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> is constituted by a resin, and has a long, narrow string or belt shape.

The flange part 13A is an area utilized when the nozzle <NUM> of the pouring unit <NUM> constituting the packaging container <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM> of the pouring spout <NUM> and the refill container <NUM> is pressed into the packaging container <NUM> with fingers placed thereon. The flange part 13A of the first embodiment has a circular outer shape. With the outer shape of the flange part 13A being circular, the flange part 13A is configured so that the flange part 13A can be pressed with fingers placed at any position as long as on both sides of the flange part 13A with the tubular part <NUM> interposed therebetween. Note that the flange part 13A is not limited to having a circular shape, and may be formed into an elliptical shape. When the flange part 13A is formed into an elliptical shape, a long axis direction matches the X direction, and a short axis direction matches the Y direction.

In the pouring spout <NUM> of a second embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, an outer diameter of a flange part 13B is formed into a square shape. The pouring spout <NUM> is constituted by the tubular part <NUM>, the flange part 13B, the bonded part <NUM>, and the closing member <NUM>. The channel <NUM> is formed in an inside of the tubular part <NUM> and the bonded part <NUM>, and is configured so that the contents can be poured through the channel <NUM> to the outside. Note that the configuration of the pouring spout <NUM> of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the pouring spout <NUM> of the first embodiment except that the shape of the flange part 13B is different, and thus descriptions of configurations other than the configuration of the flange part 13B will be omitted.

The flange part 13B of the second embodiment has a polygonal outer shape. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the outer shape of the flange part 13B is formed into a rectangular shape. A long axis direction of the flange part 13B matches the X direction, and a short axis direction of the flange part 13B matches the Y direction. The flange part 13B having a rectangular shape and illustrated in <FIG> is configured so that the flange part 13B can be pressed with fingers placed on both sides of the flange part 13B with the tubular part <NUM> interposed therebetween in the X direction. The outer shape of the flange part 13B of the second embodiment is not limited to being rectangular as long as the shape is a polygon, such as a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, or an octagon. The outer shape of the flange part 13B can be freely formed in accordance with a function, a design, and the like of the refill container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a flange part 13C of a third embodiment includes an arcuate part <NUM> having an arcuate shape around the tubular part <NUM> and jutting outward, and a rectangular part <NUM> jutting outward in the X direction, which is the one direction. Then, the rectangular part <NUM> is formed with a dimension in the Y direction, which is the other direction, smaller than a diameter of the tubular part <NUM>. The arcuate part <NUM> juts outward in an arcuate shape so as to surround both sides of the tubular part <NUM> in the Y direction. On the other hand, the rectangular part <NUM> has a rectangular outer shape and juts outward from the tubular part <NUM> in the X direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, a width, that is, a dimension in the Y direction, of the rectangular part <NUM>, is formed smaller than the diameter of the tubular part <NUM>.

In the pouring spout <NUM> of the third embodiment, the flange part 13C has a small area compared to those of the pouring spout <NUM> of the first embodiment and the pouring spout <NUM> of the second embodiment, and is formed only in a region closer to the tubular part <NUM>. Therefore, the positions where fingers are placed are limited to positions close to the tubular part <NUM>. As a result, even in a case in which the force of pressing with a finger placed on one side of the tubular part <NUM> and the force of pressing with a finger placed on the other side in the X direction differs when the refill container <NUM> is pressed toward the pouring unit <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM>, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the refill container <NUM> to the utmost, and insert the nozzle <NUM> of the pouring unit <NUM> included in the packaging container <NUM> into the channel <NUM>.

The pouring spout <NUM> described in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment is formed using a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, ethylene-vinyl copolymer, and polyvinyl chloride. However, the material of the pouring spout <NUM> is not limited as long as the pouring spout is moldable. Further, examples of applicable raw materials of the resin include petroleum-derived, plant-derived, copolymers thereof, blends thereof, and the like.

The packaging container <NUM> is a container used by being replenished with contents stored in the refill container <NUM>. The packaging container <NUM> is constituted by a resin or the like, for example. <FIG> illustrates an example of the packaging container <NUM>. The packaging container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is constituted by the container main body <NUM> provided with a handle <NUM>, and the pouring unit <NUM> for pouring out the contents stored in the container main body <NUM>. This packaging container <NUM> is used by removing from the packaging container <NUM> the contents moved from the refill container <NUM> in an amount required when necessary.

The pouring unit <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM> is constituted by a main body part <NUM>, and a cap <NUM> for opening and closing the main body part <NUM>. The main body part <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, includes the peripheral wall part <NUM>, and the nozzle <NUM> disposed on an inner side of this peripheral wall part <NUM>. The peripheral wall part <NUM> has a tubular shape, and an inner side thereof is hollow.

The nozzle <NUM> is disposed in a central or substantially central position of the main body part <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is connected to the peripheral wall part <NUM> and integrated with the peripheral wall part <NUM>. A slit extending in the axial direction is formed in the nozzle <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, the nozzle <NUM> is configured to project from the main body part <NUM> toward an upper side, with a tip end thereof positioned on an upper side of the upper end of the peripheral wall part <NUM>. Note that <FIG> illustrates one example of the shape of the nozzle <NUM>, and the shape of the nozzle <NUM> is not particularly limited.

The procedure for replenishing the packaging container <NUM> with the contents stored in the refill container <NUM>, and the action of the pouring spout <NUM> of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to <FIG> and Figs. Note that <FIG> illustrates only the pouring spout <NUM> of the refill container <NUM> and the pouring unit <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM> and, to make the action of the pouring spout <NUM> easy to understand, <FIG> does not illustrate the refill container <NUM> and the container main body <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM>. However, the pouring spout <NUM> is attached to the refill container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and the pouring unit <NUM> is the pouring unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and provided to the packaging container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> is removed from the pouring spout <NUM>, the refill container <NUM> is turned upside down, and the pouring spout <NUM> is positioned on a lower side of the refill container <NUM>. The channel <NUM> of the pouring spout <NUM> is closed by the closing member <NUM>, and thus the contents stored in the refill container <NUM> never spill out.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pouring spout <NUM> is matched with the position of the pouring unit <NUM> of the packaging container <NUM> from which the cap <NUM> is removed, and the nozzle <NUM> of the pouring unit <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM> of the pouring spout <NUM>. That is, the nozzle <NUM> of the pouring unit <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM> constituted on the inner side of the tubular part <NUM> constituting the pouring spout <NUM>. At that time, as illustrated in <FIG>, fingers are placed on the flange part <NUM> positioned on both sides of the tubular part <NUM>, and the flange part <NUM> is pressed toward the pouring unit <NUM>.

Next, with the nozzle <NUM> inserted into the tubular part <NUM>, the pouring spout <NUM> is pressed further downward on the pouring unit <NUM> side. When the pouring spout <NUM> is pressed downward, the slit of the nozzle <NUM> sandwiches the guide <NUM> of the pouring spout <NUM>, and the nozzle <NUM> is guided in the axial direction L. Then, the tip end of the nozzle <NUM> guided in the axial direction L presses the closing member <NUM> upward. As a result, as illustrated in <FIG>, the closing member <NUM> is removed from the channel <NUM> constituting the inner side of the tubular part <NUM>. That is, the closing member <NUM> is removed from the inner peripheral surface of the tubular part <NUM> by an external force applied from the other end B side (tip end side of the cylindrical pouring part) opposite to the one end A side (end portion side provided with the bonded part <NUM>) of the tubular part <NUM> in the axial direction L. At this time, the closing member <NUM> is configured as a separate body from the spout main body 10a, and is fit into the channel <NUM> constituting the tubular part <NUM>, simply closing the channel <NUM>, and thus is smoothly removed from the channel <NUM> without causing the closing member <NUM> itself to be damaged by the nozzle <NUM>. Therefore, only the contents are moved into the packaging container <NUM> without producing broken pieces.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> is inserted into an inside of the tubular part <NUM> and, when the closing member <NUM> is removed from the spout main body 10a, a tip end portion of the tubular pouring body comes into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the nozzle <NUM>. Therefore, the contents poured from the refill container <NUM> are moved to the packaging container <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM> without leaking to an outer side of the nozzle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A combination of a refill container (<NUM>) and a packaging container (<NUM>), wherein:
the refill container is provided with a pouring spout (<NUM>) for pouring out contents stored in the refill container into the packaging container, the pouring spout comprising at least:
a bonded part (<NUM>) bonded to a pouch main body part (<NUM>) constituting the refill container;
a tubular part (<NUM>) for pouring out the contents;
a flange part (<NUM>) jutting outward at a boundary portion between the bonded part and the tubular part;
a channel (<NUM>) for passing the contents from an inside to an outside of the refill container, wherein the channel is formed in an inside of the tubular part and the bonded part and is configured so that the contents can be poured through the channel to the outside; and
a closing member (<NUM>) for opening and closing the channel,
the packaging container incudes a container main body (<NUM>) and a pouring unit (<NUM>) for pouring out contents stored in the container main body,
the pouring unit includes a nozzle (<NUM>) for pouring out the contents and a peripheral wall part (<NUM>) surrounding the nozzle, and
when the nozzle of the pouring unit is inserted into the channel of the pouring spout, both end portions of the flange part separated farthest in a horizontal direction jut slightly outward from an area facing the peripheral wall part.