>2, 23b2 with each other.

Although the entire surface of the base portion 23a1 may be welded to the front surface portion 3, it is preferable that a lower part of the base portion 23a1 is provided with an unwelded portion that is not welded to the front surface portion 3. In this case, when the packaging bag 1 is heated and the internal pressure of the packaging bag 1 rises to inflate the packaging bag 1, the force in the direction of opening the openable member 23 is hardly applied to the openable member 23, and vapor leakage from the openable member 23 can be suppressed. The unwelded portion is preferably provided so as to extend from a lower end of the base portion 23a1 to an upper end of the hook portion 23a2. In other words, the base portion 23a1 is preferably welded to the front surface portion 3 only at a portion above the hook portion 23a2. In this regard, the unwelded portion may be provided on the base portion 23b1 instead of being provided on the base portion 23a1 or may be provided on both of the base portions 23a1, 23b1.

The opening portion 24 is a portion for opening the packaging bag 1. In the present embodiment, the opening portion 24 includes a tear start portion 24a configured to serve as a starting point for tearing the peripheral surface portion 21, and a tear-off line 24b where a line indicating a tear-off portion for opening is printed. The packaging bag 1 may be opened by tearing the peripheral surface portion 21 using the tear start portion 24a as a starting point or may be opened by cutting the peripheral surface portion 21 along the tear-off line 24b using a cutting tool, such as scissors. The tear start portion 24a is a portion that facilitates tearing of the peripheral surface portion 21 and includes, for example, a notch or a small cut part. One of the tear start portion 24a and the tear-off line 24b may be omitted. Further, the opening portion 24 may be configured differently to enable the packaging bag 1 to be opened. For example, instead of the tear-off line 24b, a half-cut line extending in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface portion 21 may be provided, or a strip-shaped film extending in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface portion 21 may be provided. The strip-shaped film is welded to the peripheral surface portion 21, and the peripheral surface portion 21 can be cut along the strip-shaped film by grasping and pulling the end of the strip-shaped film.

The packaging bag 1 includes a tear-off portion 5 arranged on an upper side and a main body portion 6 arranged on a lower side in the up-down direction with the opening portion 24 as a boundary. A container-shaped main body portion 6 is obtained by tearing the peripheral surface portion 21 in the circumferential direction at the opening portion 24 to remove the tear-off portion 5 above the opening portion 24. As shown in FIG. 1B, an opening 7 is formed in the main body portion 6. The main body portion 6 is used as a dish for eating the contents in the packaging bag 1.

The opening portion 24 is provided closer to the bottom surface portion 2 than the openable member 23. In other words, the openable member 23 is provided in the tear-off portion 5. Therefore, when the tear-off portion 5 is removed for opening, the openable member 23 is also removed together. Thus, the openable member 23 does not interfere with eating the contents.

The opening portion 24 is provided closer to the bottom surface portion 2 than the joint portion 10. In other words, the joint portion 10 is provided in the tear-off portion 5. Therefore, when the tear-off portion 5 is removed for opening, the joint portion 10 is also removed together. Thus, the joint portion 10 does not interfere with eating the contents.

FIG. 2 shows the packaging bag 1 in a plan view. The plan view is a view of the packaging bag 1 that is flattened with no contents contained inside and viewed in such a state from a direction perpendicular to the front surface portion 3 of the packaging bag 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging bag 1 is formed to be line-symmetric with respect to the center line in the left-right direction.

A vapor release seal portion 11 is formed on the packaging bag 1. The vapor release seal portion 11 is provided in the joint portion 10. The vapor release seal portion 11 is a welded portion with lower welding strength than other welded portions. In the vapor release seal portion 11, when the internal pressure in the packaging bag 1 increases due to vapor generated inside by heating the packaging bag 1, a vapor flow path is formed accordingly. The vapor inside the packaging bag 1 is discharged to the outside through the vapor release seal portion 11.

The length H1 of the tear-off portion 5 in the up-down direction is, for example, 6 to 10 cm. The length H2 of the main body portion 6 in the up-down direction is, for example, 6 to 14 cm, preferably equal to or less than 12 cm, and more preferably equal to or less than 10 cm. If the length is too large, it will be difficult to take out the contents. H1 is specifically, for example, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10 cm, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. H2 is specifically, for example, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 cm, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein.

Further, the length H2 is preferably longer than the length H3 from a center line E to a lower end of a bottom film 20a, and more preferably longer than H3 by 2 cm or more. The value of (H2-H3) is, for example, 2 to 8 cm, specifically, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 cm, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. If the value of (H2-H3) is less than 2 cm, the height of the peripheral wall when the packaging bag 1 is opened becomes low, and thus the amount of contents may be limited.

The side edges of the packaging bag 1 are provided with a side-edge welded portion 12 for welding the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4. Consequently, the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are fixed in the front-back direction. Further, a lower end of the packaging bag 1 is provided with a lower-edge welded portion 13 for welding the bottom surface portion 2 and the front surface portion 3, and the bottom surface portion 2 and the back surface portion 4.

The lower-edge welded portion 13 welds the bottom surface portion 2 to the front surface portion 3 and welds the bottom surface portion 2 to the back surface portion 4 in a region below the center line E and at the side edges and lower end of the packaging bag 1 (in FIG. 2, the region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line).

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6B, the packaging bag 1 is manufactured by inserting the bottom film 20a that is folded in a V shape at the center line E between the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4. Here, the length H3 from the center line E to the lower end of the bottom film 20a is preferably 3 to 6 cm, more specifically, for example, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 (unit: cm), and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 4.5 cm. As described above, the main body portion 6 is also used as a dish, and thus it is preferably that the body portion 6 has such a size. A notch R is formed at both ends of the bottom film 20a.

The length r1 from the center line E to the lower end of the notch R of the bottom film 20a is preferably 1 to 3 cm, more specifically, for example, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 (unit: cm), and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 2.5 cm.

The diameter of the notch R is preferably 1 to 4 cm, more specifically, for example, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 (unit: cm), and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 2 cm.

Hereinafter, steps for manufacturing the packaging bag 1 are briefly described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, inner surfaces of end portions of one sheet of peripheral wall film 20b are overlapped to form an overlapping portion 10a. As shown in FIG. 5B, the joint portion 10 is formed by welding the overlapping portion 10a, and the remaining portion forms an elliptical ring C.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B, one end C1 of the ring C is cut, and the bottom film 20a folded in a V shape is inserted. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5B to FIG. 6A, the bottom film 20a and the peripheral wall film 20b are welded, and the other end C2 of the ring C is cut, so that the bottom surface portion 2, the front surface portion 3, and the back surface portion 4 are formed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the vicinity of the other end C2 of the ring C (the vicinity of the upper end of the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4), the openable member 23 is inserted between the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4. Then, by welding the openable member 23 to the inner surfaces of the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4, respectively, the packaging bag 1 is manufactured.

Here, the bottom film 20a and the peripheral wall film 20b are preferably laminated films including a base material layer and a sealant layer, and the laminated films preferably includes an adhesive layer and a printing layer between the base material layer and the sealant layer.

The base material layer is arranged so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the packaging bag 1, and the sealant layer is arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface of the packaging bag 1. The welded portion is formed by welding (heat-sealing) the sealant layers to each other.

The base material layer is formed of a material having excellent strength and high impact resistance. As the base material layer, for example, polyamide, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyester, and the like are used. More specifically, oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, silica-deposited oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, alumina-deposited oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, oriented nylon film, oriented polypropylene film, polypropylene/ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer co-extruded co-oriented film, or the like can be used. As a film forming the base material layer, a film having straight line cuttability in the MD direction (the direction in which the film flows during manufacturing) is preferably used. The base material layer, which is the outermost layer, may contain antibacterial or antiviral agent, such as silver ions. In particular, by kneading a bleed-out antibacterial or antiviral agent into the base material layer, the antibacterial or antiviral treatment progresses on the surface of the base material layer when it is heated to a high temperature in a microwave oven, which is hygienic and preferable when removing from the microwave oven.

The adhesive layer is a layer for allowing the base material layer and the sealant layer to adhere to each other so as to be laminated. The adhesion method may be extrusion lamination using, for example, polyethylene as the adhesive layer, or may be dry lamination using polyvinyl acetate adhesive, polyacrylate adhesive, cyanoacrylate adhesive, ethylene copolymer adhesive, cellulose adhesive, polyester adhesive, polyamide adhesive, amino resin adhesive, epoxy adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, and the like as adhesive material.

The sealant layer can be formed of resin with excellent weldability. The sealant layer can be formed with polyolefin-based resins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and ethylene-propylene block copolymer. More specifically, non-oriented polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene can be used. As a film forming the sealant layer, a film having straight line cuttability in the MD direction is preferably used.

The sealant layer, which is the innermost surface of the packaging bag 1, may be subjected to an easy-slipping treatment. The easy-slipping treatment is a treatment for enhancing slipping property, and can be performed by mixing or applying a lubricant to the sealant layer or by applying a water repellent or oil repellent treatment to the innermost surface of the packaging bag 1. Consequently, the slipping property of the contents adhering to the inner surface of the packaging bag 1 is improved. The easy-slipping treatment is preferably performed in the vicinity of the opening portion 24 and in the tear-off portion 5. When the packaging bag 1 is heated with the packaging bag 1 laid down, the contents may move to the opening portion 24 and the tear-off portion 5, and hands or scissors may get dirty in such a case when the packaging bag 1 is opened. In the packaging bag 1 subjected to the easy-slipping treatment, the contents fall to the bottom when the packaging bag 1 is set upright, so that hands and scissors are prevented from getting dirty when the packaging bag 1 is opened. The easy-slipping treatment may be performed during film production or during bag manufacturing.

As an example, in the present embodiment, the film has a structure including the base material layer: oriented nylon (25 μm)/printing layer/adhesive layer (dry laminate)/sealant layer: LLDPE (60 μm). In this regard, an intermediate layer may be provided between the base material layer and the sealant layer. As the intermediate layer, a film made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyolefin, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer saponified products, a film obtained by coating the film made of these materials with polyvinylidene chloride, a film obtained by vapor deposition of inorganic substance, such as silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, or a film made of polyvinylidene chloride or the like can be used.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the packaging bag 1 is configured to open wider in the front-back direction at a lower end of the center portion in the left-right direction (hereinafter, referred to as the center lower end) than at a lower end of the side portions in the left-right direction (hereinafter, referred to as the side lower ends). This is because the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are directly welded to each other at the notch R (see FIG. 4) formed on the bottom film 20a, and a fixed portion 15 is configured to fix the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 in the front-back direction. In this regard, by opening the center lower end in the front-back direction, the center line E of the bottom surface portion 2 is pulled downward of the packaging bag 1.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the lower-edge welded portion 13 includes a pair of gradient portions 13a and a center portion 13b. The gradient portion 13a is a portion that is welded at a gradient (diagonally) from the side edge of the packaging bag 1 to the center lower end. By providing the gradient portion 13a in such a way, the distance from the center line E to the lower-edge welded portion 13 gradually increases (W1<W2) from the side edge to the center portion in the left-right direction. This configuration prevents pinhole from occurring at the side lower end.

The center portion 13b is provided between a pair of gradient portions 13a and is formed in a straight line. By providing the center portion 13b in a straight line, the main body portion 6 can be easily used as a dish.

An air pocket 14 is provided on the outer side of the gradient portion 13a. The air pocket 14 is formed in a triangular shape and is a space where air that has not been discharged to the outside during welding at the lower-edge welded portion 13 remains. By providing the air pocket 14, residual air in the lower-edge welded portion 13 is collected in the air pocket 14, thereby improving welding strength.

The length L1 in the left-right direction at the lower end of the packaging bag 1 is preferably 15 to 25 cm and more preferably equal to or more than 18 cm. The length L1 is more specifically, for example, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 (unit: cm) and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 20 cm. If the length L1 is more than 25 cm, the packaging bag 1 may not fit in a turntable of a microwave oven. However, this does not apply to a packaging bag for use in a microwave oven with a flat table.

The length L2 of the gradient portion 13a in the left-right direction is preferably 3 to 6 cm, more specifically, for example, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 (unit: cm), and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 4 cm. If the length L2 is too small, it will be difficult to fully open the center lower end in the front-back direction.

The length L3 of the center portion 13b in the left-right direction is preferably 5 to 15 cm and more preferably equal to or more than 8 cm. More specifically, the length L3 is, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 (unit: cm) and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and may be, for example, 10 cm. By setting the value of L3 in this way, when the bottom surface portion 2 is extended in the front-back direction, the distance between the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 in the front-back direction can be increased, thereby increasing the size of the opening 7.

The length L4 inside the packaging bag 1 in the left-right direction is preferably 10 to 23 cm and more specifically, for example, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 (unit: cm). Further, the length L4 may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein and may be, for example, 18 cm.

The length W2 from the center line E to the upper end of the center portion 13b is preferably 3 to 6 cm and more specifically, for example, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 (unit: cm). Further, the length W2 may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein and may be, for example, 4 cm. In this regard, the length W2 is more preferably the same length as the length L2 of the gradient portion 13a in the left-right direction.

In this regard, the ratio of the length L3 of the center portion 13b in the left-right direction to the length W2 from the center line E to the upper end of the center portion 13b preferably satisfies the condition of 2≤L3/W2≤3. Preferably, the value of L3/W2 is more specifically, for example, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, or 3.0 and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. In such a configuration, when the bottom surface portion 2 is extended in the front-back direction, a larger bottom surface in contact with the mounting surface can be provided.

Further, the ratio of the length W2 from the center line E to the upper end of the center portion 13b to the length L2 of the gradient portion 13a in the left-right direction preferably satisfies the condition of 0.5≤W2/L2≤1.7. Preferably, the value of W2/L2 is more specifically, for example, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, or 1.7 and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. More preferably, the value of W2/L2 satisfies the condition of 0.8≤W2/L2≤1.2, even more preferably 0.9≤W2/L2≤1.1. When W2/L2 is too small, the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 tend to become closer to each other at the opening 7 when the packaging bag 1 is opened, which reduces convenience when using it as a dish. On the other hand, when W2/L2 is too large, a crease is generated on the inner side of the gradient portion 13a when the bottom surface portion 2 is extended in the front-back direction, which will interfere with removal of the contents.

The ratio of the height H4 from the center line E to the upper end of the fixed portion 15 to the length H3 from the center line E to the lower end preferably satisfies the condition of H4/H3≥0.2. Preferably, the value of H4/H3 satisfies the condition of 0.5≥H4/H3≥0.2, and is more specifically, for example, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, or 0.50 and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. By setting the height H4 from the center line E to the fixed portion 15 in this way, the opening 7 can be reliably kept open in the front-back direction.

The value of the angle θ of the gradient portion 13a relative to the upper end of the center portion 13b is preferably 30 to 60 degrees, and more specifically, for example, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 (unit: degrees). The angle θ may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein, and more preferably 45 degrees. By setting the angle θ of the gradient portion 13a larger than 30 degrees, the width Wn in the front-back direction between vicinity regions N2 in the vicinity of the side edges of the packaging bag 1 can be secured, and the bottom surface of the packaging bag 1 can be larger, thereby improving the self-standing stability of the packaging bag 1 (see FIG. 7A). In addition, the opening portion 24 can be opened wide in the front-back direction, and thus the convenience of using the packaging bag as a dish is improved.

In this regard, the bottom film 20a is preferably a film whose tensile modulus decreases with increasing temperature. In this case, when the packaging bag 1 is heated, the film softens, and the center lower end of the packaging bag 1 can be easily opened in the front-back direction. Here, M1 and M2 represent tensile modulus of the film forming the bottom surface portion 2 in the TD direction (corresponding to the front-back direction of the packaging bag 1) at 23.5° C. and 100° C., respectively. The tensile modulus can be obtained by conducting a tensile test in accordance with JIS K 7127. The test speed in the tensile test is set at 50 mm/min, and the dumbbell shape for the test is No. 5.

M1 is preferably 600 to 1400 MPa and more preferably 800 to 1200 MPa. M1 is specifically, for example, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, or 1400 MPa, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein.

M2 is preferably 200 to 600 MPa and more preferably 300 to 500 MPa. M2 is specifically, for example, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or 600 MPa, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein.

The value of M1/M2 is, for example, 1.2 to 4 and preferably 1.5 to 3. This value is specifically, for example, 1.2, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein.

As the peripheral wall film 20b, a film with the same physical properties as the bottom film 20a may be used, or a film with different physical properties from the bottom film 20a may be used.

2. Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the main difference is in the structure in the vicinity of the opening 16 of the packaging bag 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the difference.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the upper end of the front surface portion 3 is provided with a first protruding portion 3p that protrudes upward, and the upper end of the back surface portion 4 is provided with a second protruding portion 4p that protrudes upward. When the packaging bag 1 is filled with the contents, the opening 16 can be easily maintained in a widened state by spreading the protruding portions 3p, 4p outward, as shown in FIG. 8B, and thus the packaging bag 1 can be easily filled with the contents. Further, the protruding portions 3p, 4p can be provided with openings 3q, 4q that constitute handles. After filling the packaging bag 1 with the contents, the packaging bag 1 can be easily carried by placing fingers in the openings 3q, 4q and holding the packaging bag 1.

3. Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the main difference is in the structure in the vicinity of the opening 16 of the packaging bag 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the difference.

In the first embodiment, the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are welded to each other up to the upper end of the packaging bag 1 at the side-edge welded portions 12. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance from the openable member 23 to the upper end of the packaging bag 1 is longer than in the first embodiment, and an unwelded portion 12a where the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are not welded to each other is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the packaging bag 1. Consequently, when the packaging bag 1 is filled with the contents, the opening 16 of the packaging bag 1 can be easily maintained in a widened state by folding back the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 at the unwelded portion 12a.

The configuration of the present embodiment is preferable because man hours required for processing the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are less than those required in the second embodiment.

Further, in a region between the openable member 23 and the upper end of the packaging bag 1, the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 may be provided with the openings 3q, 4q that constitute handles. Consequently, after filling the packaging bag 1 with the contents, the packaging bag 1 can be easily carried by placing fingers in the openings 3q, 4q and holding the packaging bag 1.

4. Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the main difference is in the structure in the vicinity of the opening 16 of the packaging bag 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the difference.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, the joint portion 10 is provided with a protruding portion 10p that protrudes from the upper end of the front surface portion 3 in a state where the joint portion 10 is inclined toward an upper end side of the front surface portion 3. When the packaging bag 1 is filled with the contents, the opening 16 can be easily maintained in a widened state by spreading the protruding portion 10p outward, as shown in FIG. 10B, and thus the packaging bag 1 can be easily filled with the contents. Further, the protruding portion 10p can be provided with an opening 10q that constitutes a handle. Consequently, after filling the packaging bag 1 with the contents, the packaging bag 1 can be easily carried by placing fingers in the opening 10q and holding the packaging bag 1.

5. Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The present embodiment is similar to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the difference.

In the present embodiment, the length L5 from the upper end of the openable member 23 to the upper end of the side-edge welded portion 12 is larger than in the third embodiment. The length L5 is, for example, 1 to 8 cm and preferably 2 to 6 cm. The length L5 is specifically, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 cm, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. The upper end of the side-edge welded portion 12 is approximately at the same height as the openings 3q, 4q.

Since the length L5 is large, a container-shaped tool accommodation portion 29 is formed in a region surrounded by the openable member 23 and a pair of side-edge welded portions 12. The tool accommodation portion 29 can accommodate a tool (chopsticks, spoons, forks, and the like) 25 used when eating the contents in the packaging bag 1. In FIG. 11, the tool 25 is relatively short, and the entire tool 25 is accommodated in the tool accommodation portion 29. When the tool 25 is too long to be entirely accommodated in the tool accommodation portion 29, a part of the tool 25 may be accommodated in the tool accommodation portion 29.

An opening portion 26 may be provided at a position above the openable member 23. The configuration of the opening portion 26 is similar to the configuration of the opening portion 24. Since the overall height of the packaging bag 1 of the present embodiment is large, it may interfere with the inner top surface of a household microwave oven if it is placed in the microwave oven as it is. Therefore, before heating the contents in the packaging bag 1 with the microwave oven, it is preferable to tear the packaging bag 1 at the opening portion 26 and remove the portion above the opening portion 26. The opening portion 26 is preferably provided at a portion where the side-edge welded portion 12 is present. In this case, the packaging bag 1 can be easily torn. Further, the opening portion 26 is preferably arranged at a position adjacent to the openable member 23. In this case, the overall height of the packaging bag 1 after removing the portion above the opening portion 26 can be reduced. Similarly to the first embodiment and the like, after heating the contents in the microwave oven, the packaging bag 1 is opened at the opening portion 24, and the portion below the opening portion 24 is usable as a dish when eating the contents in the packaging bag 1.

The front surface portion 3 is provided with a transparent portion 27, and the contents can be visually recognized through the transparent portion 27. The transparent portion 27 is provided at a position corresponding to the upper surface of a drawing pattern 28 of a dish, so that it looks as if the contents are served on the dish, which can stimulate the appetite of consumers. Further, the region between the transparent portion 27 and the lower-edge welded portion 13 is preferably opaque. When the contents contain soup, the soup tends to accumulate at the bottom of the packaging bag 1, and the appearance of the accumulated soup is not good. Therefore, by making the region between the transparent portion 27 and the lower-edge welded portion 13 opaque, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the accumulated soup, and the appearance is improved. The length L6 from the upper end of the lower-edge welded portion 13 to the lower end of the transparent portion 27 is, for example, 1 to 15 cm, preferably 2 to 10 cm, specifically, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 cm, and may be in a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein.

6. Other Embodiments

While the embodiments have been described above, the technical ideas in the present disclosure can be also adopted in the following aspects.

- The peripheral surface portion 21 may include a pair of side surface portions between the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4. In this case, the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 are each welded to the pair of side surface portions to form the peripheral surface portion 21 of the substantially rectangular cylindrical shape.
- Although the fixed portion 15 is configured by the semicircular notch R formed on the bottom surface portion 2 in the above-described embodiments, the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the facing surfaces of the bottom film may be adhered to each other using an adhesive agent, or the front surface portion 3 and the back surface portion 4 may be fixed in the front-back direction by a locking means, such as a stapler.
- Although the bottom surface portion 2 is formed of a film folded in a V shape in the above-described embodiments, the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, it may be formed of a film folded in a W shape.
- The packaging bag 1 may not include the vapor release seal portion 11. In such a case, the vapor generated during heating can be discharged, for example, by slightly opening the bag
- The packaging bag 1 may not include the joint portion 10.
- The vapor release seal portion 11 may be provided in a portion other than the joint portion 10.
- The manufacturing method of the packaging bag 1 is not limited to the method described in the above embodiments.
- The opening serving as the handle may be formed by punching out the film, or may be formed by forming a C-shaped notch on the film.

Second Viewpoint
1. First Embodiment
1-1. Configuration Of Packaging Bag 1

The packaging bag 1 of this viewpoint is similar to the packaging bag 1 of the first viewpoint, and the description in the first viewpoint applies to the packaging bag 1 of this viewpoint as long as it does not contradict the purpose. The basic configuration of the packaging bag 1 of this viewpoint is similar to that of the packaging bag 1 of the first viewpoint, but the packaging bag 1 of this viewpoint does not require the opening/closing member 23. The following explanation focuses on the differences.

As shown in FIG. 12, a tool 25 is attached to the bottom portion 2 of the packaging bag 1 in the embodiment of the invention for use by the user when eating the contents in the packaging bag 1. Details of the tool 25 are described below.

FIG. 13 shows the packaging bag 1 in plan view. Flat view means that the packaging bag 1 is flattened with no contents contained in the packaging bag 1 and no tools 25 attached, and is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the front portion 3 of the packaging bag 1 in that state. As shown in FIG. 12a, when the contents are contained in the packaging bag 1, the top end of the packaging bag 1 has a top end welding portion 22 that welds the front portion 3 to the back portion 4.

Referring to FIGS. 14a and 14b, the tool 25 is described in detail. As shown in FIG. 14A, the tool 25 is attached to the bottom portion 2 using an affixing seal 36. The material of the affixing seal 36 is not limited, but from the viewpoint of visibility of the tool 25, a transparent film material such as polyester film is preferred over paper material.

As an example, the tool 25 can be a split-tip spoon as shown in FIG. 14b, but it is not limited to this form and can be a (regular) spoon, fork, chopsticks, etc. The tool 25 is preferably made of paper, and is flat when attached to the bottom section 2, and can be folded to form a three-dimensional shape after removal. As shown in FIG. 14c, the thickness T of the tool 25 should be between 5 mm and 15 mm. The thickness T may specifically be, for example, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 15 mm, and may range between any two of the values illustrated here. In this way, it is possible to prevent the packaging bag 1 from becoming bulky before containing the contents, which are attached to the bottom portion 2 with the affixing seal 36.

The bottom welded portions 13 of the front portion 3 and the back portion 4 may be heat-sealed to each other. In this case, the tool 25 may be attached to the bottom portion 2 in the form of being accommodated in the space formed between the front portion 3 and the back portion 4. Here, the tools 25 can be easily removed by partially heating the bottom welded portions 13 of the front portion 3 and the back portion 4 to each other. If the tools 25 are housed in the space formed by sheet-sealing the bottom end welded portions 13 of the front portion 3 and the back portion 4, the seal is opened after heating, and the tools 25 can be taken out.

2. Second Embodiment

FIG. 15 is used to describe the second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the packaging bag 1 differs from the above embodiment in that the packaging bag 1 has a tool housing space 37, which is a space for storing 25 tools, at the end in the left-right direction. The following description will focus on the differences.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a tool storage space 37 for storing 25 tools is provided on the side of the content storage space 38 for storing contents. The contents housing space 38 and the tool housing space 37 are separated by a partition weldment 39 that is heat-sealed in the vertical direction.

The user can remove the tools 25 from the tool housing space 37 by tearing the peripheral portion 21 from the opening 24 and separating the cut-out portion 5 and the body portion 6. In this case, to prevent the tools 25 from being heated, only the tool housing space 37 may be opened and the tools 25 removed beforehand before the packaging bag 1 is heated in the microwave oven.

3. Third Embodiment

FIGS. 16 and 17 are used to describe the third embodiment of the invention. The packaging bag 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a tool storage space 37 in the upper part of the top end welding portion 22 and an opening/closing member 23 in the lower part of the top end welding portion 22. The following description will focus on the differences.

As shown in FIG. 16, the packaging bag 1 of this embodiment has a tool housing space 37 above the upper end welded portion 22. The upper end of the tool storage space 37 is heat sealed, and the user can take out the tools 25 in the tool storage space 37 by opening the bag from the opening portion 37b formed at the edge in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 17, an opening/closing member 23 of the same configuration as in the first perspective is formed at the bottom of the top end welding portion 22. In this form of packaging bag 1, a tool storage space 37 can be provided above the upper part of the upper end welded portion 22, and the convenience of the user can be improved in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

4. Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of the invention will be described using FIGS. 18 through 20. The packaging bag 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a handle 40 for holding the packaging bag 1 and a tool housing space 37 for storing tools 25 at the top of the top end welded portion 22. The following description will focus on the differences.

As shown in FIG. 18, the packaging bag 1 of this embodiment has a handle forming portion 41 formed at the top of the top end welding portion 22. In the center of the handle forming portion 41, an open hole is formed in the front-back direction that functions as a handle 40 for a user to grasp. Instead of the upper end welding portion 22, the upper end welding portion 22 may be configured to be opened and closed by the opening/closing member 23.

A tool storage space 37 for storing tools 25 is formed at the top of the handle formation 41. The user can easily carry the packaging bag 1 by grasping the handle 40 with each tool 25 stored in the tool storage space 37. Since the tools 25 are to be grasped in this embodiment, it is preferable to use tools that are less uneven, such as chopsticks, as shown in FIG. 18.

An outlet 37a for taking out the tools 25 is formed on one side of the tool housing space 37 in the left-right direction. This configuration makes it easy for the user to take the tools 25 in and out, thereby improving convenience.

As shown in FIG. 19, the tool storage space 37 can be formed in a simple configuration by folding the front portion 41a of the handle formation 41 backward and heat-sealing its top edge at the top of handle 40 (area D2 in FIG. 19).

As shown in FIG. 20, in the packaging bag 1 in this embodiment, the front 41a and rear 41b are folded back and forth to form opening 7, which allows the contents to be stored inside. The folded front 41a and rear 41b can then be put back together to form the top end welded portion 22 as shown in FIG. 18