cushioning components for packaging

Abstract

A cushioning assembly for packaging includes an outer frame and an inner support. The outer frame has a receiving groove with two groove walls and a bottom, the two groove walls facing each other along a first axis; the two groove walls have a plurality of pairs of slots, and the slots are arranged along a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis; the receiving groove forms a first open side along the second axis and a second open side along a third axis, wherein the third axis is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, the second open side is opposite to the bottom of the groove, and the second open side communicates with the first open side; the inner support includes a support plate, the distance of the support plate relative to the first open side can be changed when different pairs of slots are inserted into the two sides of the support plate, so as to package objects of different sizes, thereby achieving a better cushioning and protection effect.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to packaging materials; in particular, it refers to a cushioning component for packaging. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In current technology, most packaging cushioning materials are made of foam or other synthetic materials to provide protection for objects. While these materials can effectively reduce impact and vibration, they face certain challenges in terms of environmental protection. With the increasing demand for green packaging, many companies have begun to use paper materials as packaging cushioning materials. These paper materials are not only recyclable but also biodegradable in the environment, thereby reducing their impact on the environment.

[0003] However, existing paper packaging cushioning materials generally lack flexibility and adjustability, and cannot be adapted to different packaging needs. Most paper packaging cushioning materials have fixed designs, making it difficult to adapt to products of different shapes and sizes. This may lead to gaps during the packaging process, thereby reducing the protective effect on the items. In addition, these designs often fail to effectively utilize the internal space of the packaging box or carton, indirectly causing material waste and increased transportation costs.

[0004] Therefore, the design of conventional packaging cushioning materials is still not perfect and needs to be improved. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning component for packaging, which, through modular design, enables flexible adjustment to meet diverse packaging needs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a cushioning assembly for packaging, comprising an outer frame and an inner support. The outer frame is formed by folding a sheet metal and has a receiving groove with two groove walls and a groove bottom, the two groove walls facing each other along a first axis; the two groove walls have a plurality of pairs of slots, and the pairs of slots are arranged along a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis; the receiving groove forms a first open side along the second axis and a second open side along a third axis, wherein the third axis is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, the second open side is opposite to the groove bottom, and the second open side communicates with the first open side; the inner support is formed by folding a sheet metal and includes a support plate, both sides of which can be selectively inserted into one pair of the pairs of slots; thereby, when the support plate is inserted into different pairs of slots, the distance of the support plate relative to the first open side can be changed.

[0007] The advantage of this invention is that the cushioning assembly for packaging, by inserting the inner support member into different pairs of slots, changes the distance between the support plate and the first open side to accommodate items of different sizes to be packaged, thereby achieving a better cushioning and protection effect. The cushioning assembly for packaging, with its modular design, flexibly adjusts space and meets diverse packaging needs.

Implementation Method

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figures 1 to 21, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown: a cushioning assembly 100 for packaging, comprising an outer frame 20 and an inner support 40. For ease of explanation, a first axis X, a second axis Y, and a third axis Z, which are perpendicular to each other, are defined.

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6. The outer frame 20 is formed by folding a plate 20'. The outer frame 20 includes a receiving groove 25, a first side portion 21, a second side portion 22, an end portion 23, and a base plate 24. The receiving groove 25 has two groove walls 252 and a groove bottom 256. The two groove walls 252 face each other on the first axial direction X. The two groove walls 252 have a plurality of pairs of slots 254, and the pairs of slots 254 are spaced apart along the second axial direction Y. In addition, the receiving groove 25 forms a first open side 26 on the second axial direction Y and a second open side 27 on the third axial direction Z. The first open side 26 and the second open side 27 are connected, and the second open side 27 is opposite to the groove bottom 256.

[0010] The first side portion 21, the second side portion 22 and the end portion 23 are all hollow structures. The first side portion 21 has a first outer plate 21A and a first inner plate 21B, the first outer plate 21A and the first inner plate 21B facing each other in the first axial direction X, the first inner plate 21B having an inner surface of the first side portion 21, and a hollow portion 21C formed between the first outer plate 21A and the first inner plate 21B; the second side portion 22 is disposed opposite to the first side portion 21 in the first axial direction X, wherein the inner surface of the first side portion 21 and the inner surface of the second side portion 22 respectively form the two groove walls 252 of the receiving groove 25; the end portion 23 is located on one side of the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 in the second axial direction Y and is opposite to the first open side 26 of the receiving groove 25; the base plate 24 is connected to the first side portion 21, the second side portion 22 and the end portion 23, and a surface of the base plate 24 forms the bottom 256 of the receiving groove 25. In this preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the first side portion 21, the inner surface of the second side portion 22, and the surface of the substrate 24 together form the receiving groove 25, which is used to store or support the items to be packaged during the packaging process.

[0011] Next, the structure of the first side portion 21 will be further described. The first inner plate 21B has a stop 216 and a baffle 217 connected to an edge of the stop 216. The baffle 217 extends along the first axial direction X and is inserted into a hole 211 of the first outer plate 21A, thereby dividing the hollow portion 21C into a receiving space 218. The receiving space 218 can be used to store accessories. The first outer panel 21A includes a main board 212 and a cover plate 214. The main board 212 has an opening 213 that communicates with the receiving space 218. The cover plate 214 is connected to the main board 212 and located in the opening 213. The cover plate 214 has a recess 215 that communicates with the receiving space 218. By applying a force along the first axial direction X to the recess 215, the cover plate 214 can be opened or closed to allow the user to insert or remove accessories into or from the receiving space 218. In other preferred embodiments, the number of receiving spaces 218 can be set to a plurality as needed. Alternatively, the receiving spaces 218 can also be provided on the second side 22.

[0012] Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the inner support member 40 is selected from one of a plurality of spare inner support members, including a first inner support member 40a, a second inner support member 40b, a third inner support member 40c, and a fourth inner support member 40d. For ease of explanation, the first inner support member 40a will be selected as the inner support member 40 below to describe the connection between the inner support member 40 and the outer frame member 20.

[0013] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 8 to 11. The inner support member 40 is formed by folding a plate 40a'. The inner support member 40 includes a support plate 44, a connecting part 42 and a base 46. Each end of the support plate 44 has a wing 442 extending along the first axial direction X. The wing 442 can be selectively inserted into one pair of slots 254. In this way, when the support plate 44 is inserted into different pairs of slots 254, the distance of the support plate 44 relative to the first open side 26 can be changed. The connecting portion 42 connects to one side of the support plate 44 on one side of the second axis Y, and connects to the base 46 on the other side of the second axis Y. The connecting portion 42 is sandwiched between the two groove walls 252 of the receiving groove 25 on the first axis X. The base 46 is sandwiched between the two groove walls 252 of the receiving groove 25 on the first axis X, and the connecting portion 42 abuts against the base 46 on the third axis Z. In this embodiment, the base 46 can abut against the bottom 256 of the receiving groove 25 on the third axis Z, thereby increasing strength. Furthermore, the base has abutting surface 462, which is opposite to the second open side 27 on the third axis Z. During the packaging process, the support plate 44 can be inserted into different pairs of slots 254 according to the size of the item to be packaged, so that the distance of the support plate 44 relative to the first open side 26 matches the size of the item to be packaged, and the item to be packaged is placed on the abutment surface 462, thereby ensuring that the item to be packaged is placed more stably in the container 25.

[0014] Additionally, as shown in FIG12, in this preferred embodiment, the inner support member 40 can also be rotated 180 degrees along the third axis Z, and the support plate 44 can be inserted into any pair of slots 254, so that the support plate 44 faces the end 23, allowing smaller items to be packaged to be placed between the end 23 and the support plate 44. Of course, the inner support member 40 can also be rotated 180 degrees along the first axis X or the second axis Y, and then inserted into any pair of slots 254 to accommodate items of different sizes or structures to be packaged. In this case, the base 46 will not abut against the bottom 256 of the receiving groove 25 along the third axis Z.

[0015] In this preferred embodiment, the outer frame 20 can also be used in conjunction with two inner support members 40. As shown in FIG13, by placing the two inner support members 40 opposite to each other in the receiving groove 25, inserting the two support plates 44 into different pairs of slots 254 respectively, and leaving a gap L between the two support plates 44, a small-sized item to be packaged (not shown) can be accommodated in the gap L and the small-sized item to be packaged can be abutted against the two abutting surfaces 462.

[0016] Further details are provided regarding the other spare inner support components. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the second inner support component 40b is formed by folding a sheet metal 40b'. The second inner support component 40b has a structure substantially the same as the first inner support component 40a, except that the base 46 of the second inner support component 40b does not have the abutment surface. In the assembled state, the sum of the lengths of the connecting portion 42 and the base 46 of the second inner support component 40b along the third axis Z is the same as the sum of the lengths of the connecting portion 42 and the base 46 of the first inner support component 40a along the third axis Z. When the support plate 44 of the second inner support component 40b is inserted into one of the pairs of slots (not shown) of the outer frame, the item to be packaged can be directly abutted against the base 46 or the support plate 44, thereby ensuring that the item to be packaged is placed more securely in the receiving slot 25.

[0017] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the third inner support member 40c is formed by folding a plate 40c'. The third inner support member 40c has a structure that is roughly the same as that of the first inner support member 40a. The difference is that, in the assembled state, the length of the base 46 of the third inner support member 40c along the third axis Z is greater than the length of the connecting portion 42 along the third axis Z, but the sum of the lengths of the two is the same as the sum of the lengths of the connecting portion 42 and the base 46 of the first inner support member 40a along the third axis Z. Compared with the first inner support member 40a, the length of the base 46 of the third inner support member 40c along the third axis Z is longer, which means that the distance of the abutting surface 462 of the third inner support member 40c relative to the bottom of the groove along the third axis Z is farther, while the distance of the abutting surface 462 of the first inner support member 40a relative to the bottom of the groove along the third axis Z is closer. Therefore, when the support plate 44 of the third inner support member 40c is inserted into one of the pairs of slots (not shown) of the outer frame member, and the item to be packaged is pressed against the abutting surface 462, a better protective effect can be achieved due to the large buffer space. In addition to being able to accommodate items of different sizes, it is more suitable for accommodating more fragile or high-value items to be packaged.

[0018] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the fourth inner support member 40d is formed by folding a plate 40d'. The fourth inner support member 40d has a structure that is substantially the same as that of the first inner support member 40a. In the assembled state, the sum of the lengths of the connecting portion 42 and the base 46 of the fourth inner support member 40d along the third axis Z is the same as the sum of the lengths of the connecting portion 42 and the base 46 of the first inner support member 40a along the third axis Z. The difference is that the base 46 of the fourth inner support member 40d has a cavity 466, and the abutment surface 462 has a clearance hole 464, wherein the clearance hole 464 communicates with the cavity 466. When a packaged item with a protruding portion abuts against the abutting surface 462, the protruding portion of the packaged item can extend into the cavity 466 through the clearance hole 464, thereby providing additional protection and achieving good protection for the packaged item with the protruding portion during transportation, reducing the risk of damage.

[0019] Please refer to Figures 20 to 22. The following describes the combination of multiple cushioning components 100 for packaging with different items to be packaged. Taking the first inner support 40a as an example, but not limited to this, other alternative inner support components can also be used. In this preferred embodiment, the item to be packaged is an electronic device, which is a first electronic device A, a second electronic device B, or a third electronic device C.

[0020] As shown in Figure 20, the first electronic device A, which is a rectangular structure, is packaged by four cushioning components 100 for packaging. When the four corners of the first electronic device A abut against the abutment surfaces 462 of the inner support members 40, the first electronic device A is accommodated in the receiving slots. Furthermore, along the second axis Y, any two adjacent outer frame members 20 have their first open sides 26 facing each other. When the support plates of the inner support members 40 are inserted into different pairs of slots, the distance between the first electronic device A and the end 23 can be changed, thereby leaving cushioning spaces of different sizes to adapt to different packaging requirements.

[0021] As shown in Figure 21, the second electronic device B is also packaged with four of the packaging cushioning components 100, and the second electronic device B is a rectangular structure. The difference is that the size of the second electronic device B is smaller than that of the first electronic device A. When the four corners of the second electronic device B abut against the abutment surfaces 462 of the inner support members 40, the periphery of the second electronic device B is more completely accommodated in the receiving slots. Furthermore, along the second axis Y, any two adjacent outer frame members 20, with their two first open sides facing each other, can change the distance between the second electronic device B and the end 23 when the support plates of the inner support members 40 are inserted into different pairs of slots, thereby leaving cushioning spaces of different sizes to adapt to different packaging requirements.

[0022] As shown in Figure 22, the third electronic device C is also packaged with four of the packaging cushioning components 100, and the third electronic device C is a rectangular structure. The size of the third electronic device C is also smaller than that of the first electronic device A. The first open side 26 of one of the outer frame members 20 is opposite to the end 23 of another outer frame member 20, presenting a U-shaped cushioning cover, thereby achieving a higher coverage effect.

[0023] In this preferred embodiment, the outer frame 20 and the first to fourth inner support members 40a~40d are folded from paper boards. In other preferred embodiments, the outer frame 20 and the first to fourth inner support members 40a~40d may also be other foldable boards, such as paper-based composite material boards or plastic boards.

[0024] In summary, the cushioning assembly 100 for packaging achieves different sizes of cushioning space between the packaged item and the end 23, or between the packaged item and the bottom 256 of the receiving groove 25, by inserting the support plate 44 of the inner support member 40 (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) into different pairs of slots 254, or by selecting inner support members 40 (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) with different structural features, according to different packaging requirements. Furthermore, the inner support members 40 (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) can be selected with different structural features to achieve good protective effects. The modular design of the cushioning assembly 100 for packaging allows for flexible space adjustment and meets diverse packaging needs.

[0025] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cushioning assembly for packaging according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cushioning assembly for packaging according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side view of the cushioning assembly for packaging according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a sectional view along direction 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of the sheet metal constituting the outer frame member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view of the outer frame member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a sectional view along direction 7-7 of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the first inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first inner support member according to another perspective of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a plan view of the sheet metal constituting the first inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a top view of the cushioning assembly for packaging according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is another exploded view of the cushioning assembly for packaging according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a top view of the cushioning assembly for packaging according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the state of the outer frame member cooperating with two first inner support members. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the second inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a plan view of the plate constituting the second inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the third inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a plan view of the plate constituting the third inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the fourth inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a plan view of the plate constituting the fourth inner support member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view of four packaging cushioning components fitted onto the first electronic device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 is a perspective view of four packaging cushioning components fitted onto the second electronic device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 is a perspective view of four packaging cushioning components fitted onto the third electronic device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cushioning assembly for packaging, comprising: an outer frame formed by folding a sheet metal, the outer frame having a receiving groove having two groove walls and a groove bottom, the two groove walls facing each other along a first axis; the two groove walls having a plurality of pairs of slots, the pairs of slots being arranged along a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis; the receiving groove forming a first open side along the second axis and a second open side along a third axis, wherein the third axis is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, the second open side facing the groove bottom and communicating with the first open side; an inner support formed by folding a sheet metal, the inner support including a support plate, both sides of the support plate being selectively inserted into one pair of the pairs of slots; thereby, the distance of the support plate relative to the first open side can be changed when the support plate is inserted into different pairs of slots.

2. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 1, wherein the outer frame includes a first side, a second side, and an end portion, the first side and the second side being disposed opposite each other in a first axial direction, the end portion being located on one side of the first side and the second side in a second axial direction and opposite to a first open side of the receiving groove; an inner surface of the first side and an inner surface of the second side respectively constitute the two groove walls of the receiving groove, and an inner surface of the end portion constitutes the other groove wall of the receiving groove.

3. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 2, wherein the outer frame includes a substrate, a surface of which forms the bottom of the receiving groove, and the first side, the second side, and the end are connected to the substrate.

4. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 2, wherein the first side, the second side and the end are hollow structures.

5. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 4, wherein the first side has a first outer plate and a first inner plate, the first outer plate and the first inner plate being axially opposite each other on the first axis, and the first inner plate having the inner surface of the first side; a hollow portion is formed between the first outer plate and the first inner plate, the first outer plate having an insertion hole communicating with the hollow portion; the first inner plate having a stop and a baffle connected to one edge of the stop, the baffle extending along the first axis and inserted into the insertion hole to partition the hollow portion into an accommodating space; wherein the first outer plate includes a main plate and a cover plate, the main plate having an opening communicating with the accommodating space, the cover plate being connected to the main plate and located in the opening, the cover plate being used to open or close the opening.

6. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 5, wherein the cover has a recess communicating with the receiving space.

7. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 2, wherein the inner support includes a joint that is connected to one side of the support plate in the second axis and sandwiched between the two walls of the receiving groove in the first axis.

8. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 7, wherein the inner support includes a base that is sandwiched between the two walls of the receiving groove in the first axial direction; and the connecting portion abuts against the base in the third axial direction.

9. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 8, wherein the base abuts against the bottom of the receiving groove.

10. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 8, wherein the base has an abutment surface opposite the second open side in the third axis.

11. The cushioning assembly for packaging as described in claim 10, wherein the base has a cavity and the abutment surface has a clearance hole communicating with the cavity.

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