FLEXIBLE FILM PACKAGE BAG

Abstract

To provide a package bag that can be easily opened, while preventing unintentional breakage or opening. A flexible film package bag 1 comprises: a sealed portion 2 in which a flexible film is joined; and a plurality of notches 4 for opening. The plurality of notches 4 are provided in such a way that an end thereof on an outer edge portion 6 side of the flexible film package bag 1 is positioned away from the outer edge portion 6 by a predetermined distance. Since the outer edge portion 6 has neither a cutout nor slit and all notches 4 are away from the outer edge portion 6, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flexible film package bag that can be easily opened and is superior in safety.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a package bag that seals a content such as foodstuff is provided with a cutout portion in a region from which the package bag is opened, as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C (hereinafter referred to as “opening start part Ro”). Since such a cutout portion is provided in an outer edge portion of the package bag, as with a V-shaped cutout 21 shown in FIG. 10A, a U-shaped cutout 22 shown in FIG. 10B, or a home plate shaped cutout 23 shown in FIG. 10C, it is easy to open the package bag from the cutout portion as an opening start position. However, such a cutout portion may cause the package bag to break or open during packing, distributing, unpacking, displaying and the like, by unintentionally being caught by a finger, cardboard, or another bag. In addition, in a package bag made of material that is relatively rigid, sharp edges of the cutout portion may injure fingers or cut protective gloves.

In order to solve such problems, a package bag has been proposed in which the cutout portion of an outer edge portion is made as small as possible, and a plurality of punched holes, indentations, or cuts (hereinafter referred to as notch) are provided more inward than the outer edge portion. Patent Document 1 discloses an invention relating to a packing bag that can be easily opened as shown in FIG. 11A, in which the thickness of the package bag is reduced by compressing the opening start part Ro of the package bag and at the same time a plurality of punched holes 24 is provided. In addition, in a process of manufacturing the opening start part Ro, since a part of a cutting part that produces the plurality of punched holes 24 reaches the outer edge of the package bag, fine cutouts 25 are also produced in the outer edge portion. The cutouts 25 are smaller than the conventional cutout portion as described above. In the package bag shown in FIG. 11A, by providing the plurality of punched holes 24 more inwards than the outer edge portion, resistance to opening an inner region (due to a load originating in the inner region against opening force) is reduced and thus it is possible to have the fine cutouts 25 that are positioned at the outer edge portion from which the package bag is opened.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an invention relating to a packing bag that can be easily opened in which a plurality of notches is provided in a region that is on an inner side of the outer edge portion, as shown in FIG. 11B. By providing the plurality of notches 26 shown in FIG. 11B at a position away from, and on an inner side of, the outer edge portion, resistance to opening is reduced, and thus it is possible to have small notches 27 that are positioned at the outer edge portion. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the above described problem of unintentional breakage or opening is thus solved by making the notches 27 positioned at the outer edge portion small.

• Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-254818
• Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-006107

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the above described techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there are still cutouts and notches even though they are small, so that the risk of the above described problem of unintentional breakage or opening is not eliminated.

In addition, if the cutouts and notches in the outer edge portion are small as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it may be difficult for a user of the package bag to visually recognize the opening start part.

The present invention has been made in view of the above described circumstances and is aimed at providing a package bag that prevents unintentional breakage or opening, and has an easily recognizable opening start part.

Means for Solving the Problems

In a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, a flexible film package bag includes: a sealed portion in which a flexible film is joined; and a plurality of notches for opening, in which the plurality of notches is provided in such a way that an end thereof on an outer edge portion side of the flexible film package bag is positioned away from the outer edge portion by a predetermined distance.

According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the first aspect of the invention, since the outer edge portion has neither a cutout nor slit and all notches are away from the outer edge portion, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, the plurality of notches have a shape enclosed by: a plurality of linear portions that are parallel to each other or a plurality of linear portions that extend radially from an inner side to an outer side; and curved portions that connect both ends of the linear portions respectively.

According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the second aspect of the invention, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary since a cleavage is readily formed outward from the notch end on a side towards the outer edge portion.

In a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, the notch is formed by cutting the flexible film in the linear portion as well as in a part of the curved portion including an end of the linear portion on the outer edge portion side.

According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the third aspect of the invention, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary since a cleavage is readily formed outward from the notch end on a side towards the outer edge portion.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, length (L) of each of the plurality of the notches and thickness (P) of the sealed portion satisfy the following relationship (1)

4.0<L/P  (1).

According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the fourth aspect of the invention, there is no risk of unintentional breakage or opening, and the package bag can be easily opened as necessary since opening action stress tends to concentrate inward.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, an outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a concave portion formed by cutting out a trapezoidal shape in an inward direction. According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the fifth aspect of the invention, the concave portion can easily be recognized and therefore an opening start position can be easily found.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above described objective, an outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a convex portion that projects in a trapezoidal shape in an outward direction.

According to the package bag with a safe notch as described in the sixth aspect of the invention, the convex portion can easily be recognized and therefore an opening start position can be easily found.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, since the notches are provided more inwards than the outer edge portion of the package bag, unintentional breakage or opening can be prevented. In addition, since the notches are provided more inwards than the outer edge portion of the package bag, a cleavage is readily formed from an inner side toward the outer edge portion and the package bag can easily be opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line a-a′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line b-b′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line c-c′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a partially enlarged view of the opening start part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of notches 4 shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch has started;

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleavage has been generated after starting the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch;

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleavage has been further extended after starting the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch;

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleavage has ultimately reached the outer edge portion 6 of the package bag 1 with safe notch;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is different from that of FIG. 1, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of notches 4 shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is different from those of FIGS. 1 and 5A, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of notches 4 shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, which is different from those of FIGS. 1, 5A and 6A, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a configuration, which is different from that of FIG. 3A, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a shape of the notch 4 in the flexible film package bag 1 in this case that is different from that of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the package bag shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible film package bag according to conventional art;

FIG. 10B is plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible film package bag according to conventional art;

FIG. 10C is plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible film package bag according to conventional art;

FIG. 11A is plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible film package bag according to conventional art; and

FIG. 11B is plan view illustrating a configuration of a flexible film package bag according to conventional art.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1 Package bag with safe notch
  • 2 Sealed portion
  • 2a, 2a′ Side sealed portion
  • 2t Upper end side sealed portion
  • 2b Lower base side sealed portion
  • 3 Content storage portion
  • 4 Notch
  • 5 Through hole
  • 6 Outer edge portion
  • 7 Linear portion
  • 8 Curved portion
  • 9 Edge portion of notch (outer side)
  • 10 Edge portion of notch (inner side)
  • 12 Concave portion
  • 13 Convex portion
  • 14 Concave portion
  • 15 Convex portion
  • 21 V-shaped cutout
  • 22 U-shaped cutout
  • 23 Home plate shaped cutout
  • 24 Punched hole on inner side of outer edge portion
  • 25 Cutout in outer edge portion
  • 26 Notch on inner side of outer edge portion
  • 27 Notch in outer edge portion
  • Ro Opening start part
  • Fu Stress toward front face
  • Fd Stress toward back face
  • Ft Stress toward upper end
  • Fb Stress toward lower base

PREFERRED MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

The package bag 1 with a safe notch is a package bag having a substantially rectangular shape composed of two sheets of film being layered, and comprising a sealed portion 2, a content storage portion 3, and a notch 4.

The sealed portion 2 is formed by joining the film layered in a peripheral region, which is an area of a predetermined width from an outer edge portion 6 of the package bag 1 with a safe notch. The layered film in the sealed portion 2 is joined by heat sealing or with an adhesive. As used herein, an upper side of a sheet of FIG. 1 is referred to as an “upper end side” of the package bag 1 with a safe notch; a lower side is referred to as a “lower base side”, a direction from a rear side to a front side of the sheet is referred to as a “frontward direction”; and a direction from the front side to the rear side of the sheet is referred to as a “rearward direction”. The sealed portion 2 is composed of: side sealed portions 2a, 2a′ on left and right sides of the bag; an upper end side sealed portion 2t; and a lower base side sealed portion 2b. In a bag making process, for example, after forming the lower base side sealed portion 2b and the side sealed portions 2a, 2a′, the package bag is filled with content from an unsealed opening on the upper end thereof. Thereafter, the sheets of film layered in the upper end portion of the package bag are joined to thereby form the upper end side sealed portion 2t.

In the content storage portion 3, two sheets of layered film are not joined as in the sealed portion 2 and form a pocket part, which can store the content.

In a region of the sealed portion 2, in the opening start part Ro, a plurality of notches 4 is provided. Through holes penetrating the two sheets of film layered in the sealed portion 2 are formed as the notches 4.

The notches 4 in the package bag 1 with safe notch are provided in at least one of the side sealed portions 2a, 2a′

The notches 4 are of the same size and are provided at a plurality of positions for a predetermined width W, in a direction of c-c′ that is orthogonal to a direction of opening (for example, the direction of a straight line b-b′). For a package bag of a regular size of 130 to 150 mm×180 to 220 mm, an appropriate distance X between the uppermost notch 4 among the plurality of notches 4 and an upper end of the upper end side sealed portion 2t is 15 mm to 50 mm and is preferably 20 mm to 30 mm. In addition, the number of notches 4 on left and right sides is variable depending on size, shape, and material of the package bag, but an appropriate number thereof is 3 to 15, and preferably 5 to 10 in view of finger size of a user holding the package bag 1 with safe notch.

The material of the package bag 1 with safe notch in the present embodiment is flexible film. The flexible film is one or plurality of kinds selected from: synthetic resin film such as polyethylene (film thickness 50 μm to 100 μm), polyethylene terephthalate (film thickness 9 μm to 25 μm), nylon (film thickness 12 μm to 25 μm), barrier nylon (film thickness 15 μm to 25 μm), and cast polypropylene (film thickness 50 μm to 100 μm); gas barrier film (deposited film to which a gas barrier layer (aluminum foil (film thickness 6.6 μm to 15 μm) or inorganic oxide such as silicon oxide, aluminium oxide) is vapor deposited); and the like.

The flexible film has a structure in which two sheets of flexible film (flexible packing material), composed of a single layer or multiple layers of different kinds, are layered (or a single sheet of such film is doubly folded). The flexible film has a thickness of approximately 50 μm to 100 μm in a case of a single layer and a thickness of approximately 70 μm to 150 μm in a case of multiple layers.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line a-a′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the package bag 1 with safe notch of the present embodiment is formed by layering two sheets of multi layered flexible film. In the side sealed portion 2a and the side sealed portion 2a′ of the package bag 1 with safe notch, the layered film is joined. The content storage portion 3 forms a hollow part, which can be filled with content such as foodstuff, to thereby store the content.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line b-b′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1.

Although the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B is almost identical to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, since FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line b-b′ passing through the notch 4, a through hole 5 of the notch 4, which penetrates the film, is shown.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line c-c′ in the plan view of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1.

Since the straight line c-c′ is a direction orthogonal to the opening direction and a straight line passing through the plurality of notches 4, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2C shows the through holes 5 of the plurality of notches 4.

A shape of the notch 4 is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3A is a partially enlarged view of the opening start part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch of FIG. 1.

A plurality of notches 4 are provided at a position in the sealed portion 2, away from the outer edge portion 6 by a predetermined distance D. Each of the notches 4 has an elongated linear shape (more strictly, the shape of a bow laid flat, as described later) having a length L that is parallel to the opening direction (for example, the direction of the straight line b-b′ in FIG. 1) and the notches 4 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the opening direction at intervals of I.

An appropriate length L of each of the plurality of notches 4 is 1 mm to 2 mm, and preferably approximately 1.25 mm to 1.5 mm; an appropriate width W of an array of the plurality of notches 4 can be properly set according to the number of notches 4 and for example is approximately 6 mm to 9 mm; an appropriate interval I is approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm; and an appropriate distance D from the outer edge portion 6 to the closest end of the notches 4 is 0.5 mm to 2 mm and is preferably approximately 1 mm to 1.25 mm.

In the sealed portion 2, two sheets of the flexible film are layered and a thickness P of the sealed portion 2 is approximately 40 to 120 μm in a case of a single layer film and approximately 160 to 240 μm in a case of a multiple layer film.

Here, it is preferable that the length L of the notch 4 and the thickness P of the sealed portion 2 satisfy the following relationship (1).

4.0<L/P<50  (1)

If L/P is smaller than 4.0, the length L of the notch 4 is too short with respect to the thickness P of the sealed portion 2, and this prevents stresses Fu and Fd shown in FIG. 4A (described later) from being caused and prevents a cleavage from being generated from the notch 4.

On the other hand, if L/P is greater than 50, large stresses Fu and Fd may be applied to the notch 4 during transportation and the like of the package bag, leading to an unexpected cleavage.

Given this, the range of L/P in the relationship (1) shown above is suitable in order to facilitate opening.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of one of the plurality of notches 4 shown in FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the through hole 5 of the notch 4 has the shape of a bow enclosed by a linear portion 7 and curved portion 8.

In the bag making process, after forming the sealed portion 2, a penetration apparatus makes a projecting cutting part having a tip end portion composed of a vertical face and an inclined face penetrate the sealed portion 2, the vertical face of the projecting cutting part forming the linear portion 7 cut and the inclined face of the projecting cutting part forming the curved portion 8 cut, thereby forming the bow-shaped through hole.

The length of the linear portion 7 is 1 mm to 2 mm and preferably approximately 1.25 mm to 1.5 mm; and a maximum distance between the linear portion 7 and the curved portion 8 is approximately 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm.

When opening is performed, among an end portion 9 and an end portion 10 of the linear portion 7, a twisting stress of the opening action tends to concentrate to the end portion 9 that is closer to the outer edge portion 6. Given this, as described later, a cleavage is first generated from the end portion 9, to which the stress is concentrated, toward the outer edge portion 6. This cleavage extends the through hole 5 of the notch 4 toward the outer edge portion 6, to thereby reduce resistance to opening and thus facilitate opening.

Opening Action

Next, the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an action of opening the package bag with safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams sequentially showing steps of opening the package bag 1 with safe notch.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch has started. When a user applies shearing force and tensile force by twisting the vicinity of the opening start part Ro, in order to open the package bag 1 with safe notch, the stress Fu toward a front face and the stress Fd toward a back face as the shearing force, as well as the stress Ft toward the upper end and the stress Fb toward the lower base as the tensile force are applied to the vicinity of the notch 4, as shown in FIG. 4A. Since the stress tends to concentrate to the end portion 9 of the through hole 5 of the notch 4, a cleavage is first generated from the end portion 9 toward the outer edge portion 6.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleavage has been generated after starting the opening action of the package bag 1 with safe notch.

As described in FIG. 4A, once the cleavage is generated from the end portion 9 of the through hole 5 of the notch 4, the through hole 5 is extended toward the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 4B. Thereafter, the stress Fu toward the front face, the stress Fd toward the back face, the stress Ft toward the upper end, and the stress Fb toward the lower base, which are subsequently applied, further extend the through hole 5 toward the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 4C.

As the above mentioned stress persists, the extended through hole 5 of the notch 4 is further extended and ultimately reaches the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 4D. In this state in which a long slit is formed from the outer edge portion 6 to the end portion 10 of the notch 4 on an inner side, opening can easily proceed in a direction of the slit, under a relatively small force applied to the end portion 10.

As described above, in the first embodiment, a plurality of bow-shaped notches 4 are provided at a position distant by the predetermined distance D from the outer edge portion 6 of the package bag 1 with safe notch.

The package bag 1 with safe notch with the notches 4 provided at a position distant by the predetermined distance D from the outer edge portion 6 can prevent unintentional breakage or opening, since there is no cutout or slit in the outer edge portion 6.

In addition, since the notch 4 has the shape of a bow, a the tensile force component can be concentrated at the end portion 9 of the notch 4 and only a small force can make a cleavage from the end portion 9 on the outer edge side of the through hole 5 of the notch 4, thereby facilitating opening.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different from that of FIG. 1, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the second embodiment, the outer edge portion 6 of the opening start part Ro is not straight and is provided with a concave portion 12 formed by cutting out a trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 5A. Other configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and a description thereof is therefore omitted.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the concave portion 12 shown in FIG. 5A and illustrates the outer edge portion that is cut out in a trapezoidal shape, with the outer edge portion 6 being an upper base of the trapezoidal shape. An appropriate distance D between the outer edge portion 6 corresponding to the upper base of the trapezoidal shape and the closest end of the notches 4 is 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably approximately 1 mm to 1.25 mm; an appropriate length Y of the upper base of the trapezoidal shape in the outer edge portion 6 is approximately 5 mm to 15 mm; an appropriate length Z of a lower base of the trapezoidal shape being cut out from the concave portion is approximately 7 mm to 25 mm; and an appropriate height H of the trapezoidal shape is approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.

The concave portion 12 can easily be visually recognized by a user as the opening start part Ro, and can also allow a visually handicapped user to easily recognize the opening start part Ro by touch. Users can thus readily recognize the position of the opening start part of the package bag 1 with safe notch.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different from those of FIGS. 1 and 5, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the third embodiment, the outer edge portion 6 of the opening start part Ro is not straight and is provided with a convex portion 13 that projects in a trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 6A. Other configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and a description thereof is therefore omitted.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the convex portion 13 shown in FIG. 6A and illustrates the outer edge portion that projects in a trapezoidal shape, with the outer edge portion 6 being an upper base of the trapezoidal shape. An appropriate distance D between the outer edge portion 6 corresponding to the upper base of the trapezoidal shape and the closest end of the notches 4, an appropriate length Y of the upper base of the trapezoidal shape in the outer edge portion 6, and an appropriate length Z of a lower base of the trapezoidal shape that projects are the same as those in the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the second embodiment.

The convex portion 13 can easily be visually recognized by a user as the opening start part Ro, and can also allow a visually handicapped user to easily recognize the opening start part Ro by touch. Users can thus readily recognize the position of the opening start part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, different from those of FIGS. 1, 5A and 6A, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fourth embodiment, the concave portion 14 as in the second embodiment and the convex portion 15 as in the third embodiment are provided respectively in the opening start portions Ro on the two sides of the package bag 1 with safe notch. Other configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and a description thereof is therefore omitted. The sizes of the concave portion 14 and the convex portion 15 are the same as those in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, and a description thereof is therefore omitted.

The concave portion 14 and the convex portion 15 can easily be visually recognized by a user as the opening start parts Ro, and can also allow a visually handicapped user to easily recognize the opening start parts Ro by touch. Users can thus readily recognize the position of the opening start part Ro of the package bag 1 with safe notch.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a configuration, different from that of FIG. 3A, of the package bag with a safe notch as an embodiment of the flexible film package bag according to the present invention.

In the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fifth embodiment, the plurality of notches 4 are arranged radially toward the outer edge portion 6 as shown in FIG. 8, instead of being arranged in parallel. In other words, from the viewpoint of distances between adjacent notches, the distance between the end portion 9 and the end portion 10 is greater on outer sides. Other configurations of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and a description thereof is therefore omitted.

The radial notches 4 are not particularly limited in terms of number and radiation angle thereof; however, an appropriate distance L between the end portion 9 that is close to the outer edge portion 6 and the end portion 10 on an inner side is approximately 1 mm to 2 mm, and an appropriate width W between the uppermost end portion and the lowermost end portion of the plurality of notches 4 is approximately 6 mm to 12 mm.

Since the plurality of notches 4 of the package bag 1 with safe notch according to the fifth embodiment is arranged radially toward the outer edge portion 6, stress upon opening is easily concentrated from outer side to inner side. Given this, compared to a case in which the notches 4 are arranged in parallel, the resistance to opening is reduced and a user can open the package bag 1 with safe notch more easily.

It should be noted that the radial arrangement of the notches 4 in the fifth embodiment is not limited to an application to a package bag with a straight outer edge portion as in the first embodiment, and can also be applied to a package bag with the concave portion 14 and the convex portion 15 as in the second to fourth embodiments.

It should also be noted that, although the notches 4 of the first to fifth embodiments have been described as bow-shaped through holes, the notches in the package bag with notch are not necessarily bow shaped through holes penetrating two sheets of film and may also be configured such that only the linear portion 7 penetrates the film and the curved portion 8 does not penetrate the film (the bow shaped part is not completely cut out, and a part of the bow shaped part is connected to the film, looking like a slit rather than a hole).

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a shape of the notch 4 in the flexible film package bag 1 in this case that is different from that of FIG. 3B.

In FIG. 9A, in the bow shaped part of the notch, the linear portion 7 and a part of the curved portion 8 close to the two ends of the linear portion 7 (shown by a solid line) penetrate two sheets of film, and the remaining portion of the curved portion 8 (dotted line) does not penetrate the film.

As shown in FIG. 9B, if the bow shaped notch with a nonpenetrating part is viewed along a cross section c-c′ of FIG. 1, a part corresponding to the linear portion 7 penetrates two sheets of film, while a remaining part of the curved portion 8 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 9A) is connected to the film, and the bow shaped part is thus not cut out.

This provides an effect of not generating bow shaped film chads during the manufacturing process. Even if the bow shaped hole is not completely cut out, the shapes of the notch 4 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B can facilitate opening, as the stress is concentrated to bowstring end parts of the bow shaped part.

In addition, since the linear portion 7 penetrates the film while a part of the curved portion 8 remains connected, a cleavage generated from the end portion 9 on the outer edge portion 6 side can run straight toward the outer edge portion 6, thereby facilitating opening.

The shape of the notch 4 in the above described first to fifth embodiments is not necessarily limited to the bow shape and can also be: a linear shape; an isosceles triangle shape arranged with an apex on an outer side and a base on an inner side; a rectangular shape arranged with an angle on an outer side positioned at an end portion; and the like. These shapes can also provide an effect of facilitating opening of the package bag, similarly to the above described configuration, as the stress is concentrated to an end portion (or an apex) on an outer side.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above; however, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can also be embodied in many different ways and can be modified in various ways such as by omission and replacement, within a scope that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are within the scope and spirit of the invention described in the present specification and the like, and are within the scope of the invention recited in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A flexible film package bag comprising: wherein the plurality of notches have a shape enclosed by: a plurality of linear portions that are parallel to each other or a plurality of linear portions that extend radially from an inner side to an outer side; and curved portions that connect both ends of the linear portions respectively, and

a sealed portion in which a flexible film is joined; and

a plurality of notches for opening,

wherein the plurality of notches are provided in such a way that an end thereof on an outer edge portion side of the flexible film package bag is positioned away from the outer edge portion by a predetermined distance,

wherein the linear portions penetrate the flexible film, and the curved portions are connected to the flexible film.

2. (canceled)

3. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein length (L) of each of the plurality of the notches and thickness (P) of the sealed portion satisfy the following relationship (1)

4.0<L/P  (1).

4. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a concave portion formed by cutting out a trapezoidal shape in an inward direction.

5. The flexible film package bag according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge portion on an outer side of a part in which the notch is provided has a convex portion that projects in a trapezoidal shape in an outward direction.