Cushioning material and packaging system

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a cushioning material with improved cushioning effect. The invention relates to a cushioning material to be attached to a packaged body and a packaging system. The cushioning material is characterized by a first cushioning material having a first base stem portion in a frame shape and at least one first cushioning rib provided on the inner side of the first base stem portion, and a second cushioning material having a second base stem portion in a plate shape and at least one second cushioning rib provided on the surface of the second base stem portion, the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material being combined. When cushioning the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body, the first cushioning rib is not affected by the pulling of the second base stem portion or the like. Therefore, the first cushioning rib can be uniformly deformed in the vertical direction with respect to the abutting surface of the packaged body, and can exhibit the desired cushioning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to cushioning materials and packaging systems. Background Technology

[0002] As a packaging material, cushioning material is constructed and shaped according to the shape and strength of the packaged item. After being assembled onto the packaged item, it is bundled into an outer box to bear part of the packaged goods. Here, the function of cushioning material is to mitigate the impact applied to the packaged item when it falls during loading and unloading.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, the cushioning material consists of a base 10 and a reinforcing rib 12 (hereinafter referred to as "cushioning rib") for impact cushioning provided on the base 10. By adjusting the height h of the cushioning rib 12 and the contact area S (slanted part) with the packaged body, the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body when falling can be mitigated.

[0004] In addition, the cushioning material is divided into inner ribs 12 and ribs 12 that are set on one side of the packaged body relative to the base 10. Figure 2 ), and the outer rib specifications set on the opposite side of the packaged body ( Figure 3 There are three types of specifications: those with internal ribs and those with external ribs.

[0005] The inner rib configuration is formed by the contact between the packaged body and the cushioning rib 12, specifically realizing a cushioning design technique for adjusting impact acceleration. Therefore, it has the advantage of being able to easily adjust the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body.

[0006] On the other hand, the outer rib specification offers greater design freedom in terms of weight reduction by minimizing material usage, and has cost advantages. However, the functional design for adjusting impact acceleration becomes complex due to the presence of a base 10 between the packaged body and the cushioning rib 12. Furthermore, the distance from the packaged body to the point of application Pa of the force applied to the cushioning rib 12 is longer in the case of the outer rib specification than in the case of the inner rib specification, making the cushioning rib 12 more prone to breakage.

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-124181 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cushioning material with improved cushioning effect.

[0009] The aforementioned problem is solved by a cushioning material assembled on the packaged body, the cushioning material comprising: a first cushioning material having a frame-shaped first base and at least one first cushioning rib disposed on the inner side of the first base, and a second cushioning material having a plate-shaped second base and at least one second cushioning rib disposed on the surface of the second base, the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material being combined.

[0010] In the cushioning material of the present invention, the first cushioning rib of the first cushioning material is a separate component from the second base body of the second cushioning material (not integrated), thereby partially eliminating the integration of the base body and the cushioning rib. When an impact acceleration is applied to the packaged object, the first cushioning rib is not affected by the tension of the second base body, and the first cushioning rib deforms uniformly in the vertical direction relative to the contact surface with the packaged object. Therefore, a cushioning material with improved cushioning effect can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 The image shown is a three-dimensional diagram of the basic structure of a cushioning material.

[0012] Figure 2 The image shown is a perspective view of an example of a cushioning material with internal ribs.

[0013] Figure 3 The image shown is a perspective view of an example of a cushioning material with external ribs.

[0014] Figure 4 The image shown is a perspective view of an example of a mold for manufacturing cushioning material.

[0015] Figure 5 (a) shows Figure 2 (a) is a front view of the cushioning material, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of an example of the deformation state of the cushioning rib viewed from the AA direction.

[0016] Figure 6 The image shown is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 The diagram shows the composition. Figure 6 The three-dimensional view of the components of the cushioning material is shown in (a) and (b) respectively. (a) is a frame-shaped cushioning material and (b) is a plate-shaped cushioning material.

[0018] Figure 8 (a) shows Figure 6 (a) is the front view of the cushioning material, and (b) is the cross-sectional view viewed from the AA direction.

[0019] Figure 9 The image shown is a perspective view of a frame-shaped buffer material with multiple first buffer ribs on multiple wall surfaces.

[0020] Figure 10 The image shown is a perspective view of a plate-shaped buffer material with multiple second buffer ribs disposed on the surface of the second base.

[0021] Figure 11 The following are three views of the claw-shaped protrusions formed on the first base of the frame-shaped cushioning material: (a) is the top view, (b) is the front view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0022] Figure 12 The diagram shows three views of the concave portion of the second base formed in the plate-like cushioning material: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0023] Figure 13 The diagram shows three views of the combined frame-shaped and plate-shaped cushioning materials: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0024] Figure 14 The following are three views of a rectangular protrusion formed on the first base of the frame-shaped cushioning material: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0025] Figure 15 The diagram shows three views of the concave portion of the second base formed in the plate-like cushioning material: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0026] Figure 16 The following are three views of a rectangular protrusion with chamfered corners: (a) is the top view, (b) is the front view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0027] Figure 17 The following are three views of the cylindrical protrusion formed on the first base of the frame-shaped cushioning material: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0028] Figure 18 The following are three views of the pores formed in the second matrix of the plate-shaped buffer material: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view.

[0029] Figure 19 The diagram shows three views of the combined frame-shaped and plate-shaped cushioning materials: (a) is the front view, (b) is the side view, and (c) is the perspective view. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Cushioning materials are typically manufactured using mass production molds such as injection molding machines or vacuum forming machines. For example... Figure 4As shown, the removal direction of parts from a mold consisting of a core and a cavity is restricted. Especially in cushioning materials with internal ribs, the cushioning rib 12 is integrally formed with the base 10. Figure 2 ).

[0031] Figure 5 (a) shows the insertion of the packaged body 14 from above the paper surface. Figure 2 The main view of the cushioning material. Figure 5 (b) shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the deformation state of the buffer material as observed from the AA direction.

[0032] When the cushioning rib 12 deforms and cushions the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body 14 upon falling, since the cushioning rib 12 is connected to the frame-shaped base 10 and the plate-shaped bottom portion of the base 10 (integrated), even if the cushioning rib 12 deforms upon falling, the portion 12b of the bottom portion closest to the base 10 and the boundary portion 12a of the base 10 are also pulled to the side of the base 10. Therefore, the cushioning rib 12 deforms unevenly in the vertical direction relative to the contact plane with the packaged body 14 (the portion with small deformation 12b and the portion with large deformation 12c coexist).

[0033] As a result, the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body 14 will be greater than the target value that can be mitigated by adjusting the height h of the buffer rib 12 and the contact area S with the packaged body 14, or by adjusting other buffer ribs, which may cause damage to the packaged body 14.

[0034] In the following embodiments, a cushioning material with an inner rib specification that can improve the cushioning effect by partially eliminating the integration of the base body and the cushioning rib will be described.

[0035] (Implementation Method)

[0036] Figure 6 The image shown is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to one embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, Figure 7 The diagram shows the composition. Figure 6 The three-dimensional view of the components of the cushioning material is shown in (a) and (b) respectively. (a) is a frame-shaped cushioning material and (b) is a plate-shaped cushioning material.

[0037] The cushioning material 50 of this embodiment is composed of a frame-shaped cushioning material 20 as a first cushioning material and a plate-shaped cushioning material 30 combined with the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 as a second cushioning material, and has a storage space 22 for accommodating at least a portion of the packaged object.

[0038] like Figure 7As shown in (a), the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 has a first base 24 that is ring-shaped to form the receiving space 22, and a first cushioning rib 26 that extends from the inner wall of the first base 24 toward the center of the receiving space 22 and abuts against the packaged body in a manner that the packaged body does not abut against the inner wall. Additionally, as Figure 7 As shown in (b), the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 has a plate-shaped second base 32 and a second cushioning rib 34 that extends from the plate surface to the center side of the receiving space 22 when combined with the frame-shaped cushioning material 20, and abuts against the packaged body in such a way that the packaged body does not abut against the plate surface.

[0039] Furthermore, to combine the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30, a protrusion 28 is formed on the first base 24 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20, with the same surface as the outer frame of the first base 24. On the other hand, a slit-shaped recess 36 is formed on the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30. The frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 are combined by gently pressing the protrusion 28 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 into the recess 36 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 to a degree that allows one to be held while the other does not fall off.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, the front end face of the protrusion 28 is flush with the opposite side of the plate surface of the second base 32 where the second buffer rib 34 is provided. That is, the buffer material 50 of this embodiment can be configured such that the height of the protrusion 28 is the same as the depth of the recess 36. Alternatively, the height of the protrusion 28 can be made slightly shorter than the depth of the recess 36.

[0041] Furthermore, the outer frame surface of the first base 24, the protrusion 28 which is flush with the plane, and the outer peripheral surface of the plate-shaped second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 are flush. In this way, it is possible to prevent the cushioning material from separating due to the protrusion 28 getting caught when bundled into outer packaging boxes, etc. Furthermore, during light pressing, the contact surfaces of one or both of the protrusion 28 or the recess 36 elastically deform and are lightly pressed together.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, the first buffer rib 26 of the frame-shaped buffer material 20 and the plate-shaped second base 32 of the plate-shaped buffer material 30 are different components, such that one is deformable evenly and the other is a component that is more difficult to deform than the other.

[0043] Figure 8 (a) shows Figure 6 The main view of the cushioning material. Figure 8 (b) shows a cross-sectional view viewed from the AA direction.

[0044] In the cushioning material 50 of this embodiment, when the packaged body 14 is cushioned by the impact acceleration applied to the packaged body 14 upon falling, the first cushioning rib 26 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 deforms, but the first cushioning rib 26 is not affected by the tension of the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30, which is separate from the frame-shaped cushioning material 20. Therefore, the first cushioning rib 26 can deform evenly with respect to the contact surface with the packaged body 14 in the vertical direction of the falling of the packaged body 14, and the first cushioning rib 26 can also avoid the influence of the plate-shaped second base 32 along the vertical direction, thus achieving a cushioning effect.

[0045] Here, the first base 24 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 abuts against the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30, but preferably the first cushioning rib 26 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 is separated from the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 (D). Even if the first cushioning rib 26 deforms in the horizontal direction, it will not be interfered with (surface contact or friction) from the second base 32, thus further enhancing the cushioning effect.

[0046] However, Patent Document 1 discloses a buffer material block consisting of a first buffer material in the shape of a square (hollow square) and a second buffer material in the shape of a groove assembled inside the first buffer material.

[0047] However, in Patent Document 1, the second cushioning material abuts against the packaged body, while the first cushioning material does not abut against the packaged body; the outer periphery of the first cushioning material abuts against the outer packaging box. When subjected to an impact acceleration applied to the packaged body, the second cushioning material does not deform uniformly to provide cushioning, and the first cushioning material also deforms due to this deformation. Therefore, as in this invention, the improved impact cushioning mechanism achieved using an inner rib specification with additional components cannot be realized.

[0048] Next, the composition will be explained.

[0049] (Materials for cushioning)

[0050] The frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 are preferably formed from foamed resin packaging materials. This allows for the creation of inexpensive cushioning materials with excellent impact cushioning properties. Alternatively, even if formed from pulp molded packaging materials or vacuum-formed packaging materials made from plastic sheets, cushioning materials with excellent impact cushioning properties can also be created.

[0051] (Number of buffer ribs)

[0052] The frame-shaped cushioning material 20 may also have two or more first cushioning ribs 26 on different or the same inner wall surface of the first base 24. (As previously mentioned...) Figure 7 As shown, by setting first buffer ribs 26 on four different inner walls of the frame-shaped first base 24, the packaged goods can be accommodated from falling in different directions, thus improving the buffering effect.

[0053] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, two first buffer ribs 26 are provided on the same wall surface of the first base 24. By configuring appropriately distributed first buffer ribs 26 relative to the shape and weight of the packaged object, the impact cushioning effect can be further improved. Furthermore, it is even better to provide multiple such first buffer ribs 26 on other wall surfaces.

[0054] Alternatively, two or more second buffer ribs 34 may be provided on the surface of the second base 32. For example... Figure 10 As shown, two L-shaped second buffer ribs 34 are arranged on the surface of the second base 32 with their respective concave portions facing each other and having the same height, which can further improve the impact buffering effect.

[0055] Next, a variation of the combination of frame-shaped cushioning material and plate-shaped cushioning material will be described.

[0056] (Part 1)

[0057] like Figure 11 As shown, claw-shaped protrusions 28a are formed on the first base 24 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20, such as... Figure 12 As shown, a concave portion 36a is formed on the second base section 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30. By engaging the claw-shaped protrusion 28a with the concave portion 36a, the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 can be joined together. Figure 13 ).

[0058] The snap-fit ​​assembly refers to a mechanical fastening assembly method in which a protrusion (claw-shaped protrusion 28a) on a part is inserted into and hooked into a recess (concave part 36a) on the receiving side by utilizing the elasticity of the material. This is a simple and inexpensive joining method that does not require other materials and can join the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 with sufficient fixing force.

[0059] (Part 2)

[0060] like Figure 14 As shown, a rectangular protrusion 28b is formed on the first base section 24 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20, such as... Figure 15 As shown, a recess 36b is formed on the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30. By gently pressing the rectangular protrusion 28b into the recess 36b, the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 can be combined.

[0061] This structure is also a simple and inexpensive joining method that does not require other materials, and can prevent the separation of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30.

[0062] In addition, such as Figure 16 As shown, the rectangular protrusion 28b can also have a chamfered portion (rounded corner). During gentle pressing (fitting), the chamfered portion of the protrusion 28b acts as a guide, allowing it to be smoothly pressed (assembled) into the recess 36b. Additionally, it is possible to... Figure 15 The recessed portion 36b is provided with a chamfered portion (rounded corner), or chamfered portions (rounded corners) can be provided on both the protrusion 28b and the recessed portion 36b.

[0063] (Part 3)

[0064] like Figure 17 As shown, cylindrical protrusions 28c are formed on the first base section 24 of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20, such as... Figure 18 As shown, a hole 36c is formed on the second base 32 of the plate-shaped cushioning material 30. By gently pressing the cylindrical protrusion 28c into the hole 36c, the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30 can be combined. Figure 19 ).

[0065] Alternatively, the cylindrical protrusion 28c (and / or the hole 36c) may also have a chamfered portion.

[0066] This structure is also a simple and inexpensive joining method that does not require other materials, and can prevent the separation of the frame-shaped cushioning material 20 and the plate-shaped cushioning material 30.

[0067] In the above three combination methods, multiple protrusions 28a, 28b, and 28c can be formed on the first base 24 of the frame-shaped buffer material 20, and multiple concave portions 36a, recesses 36b, and holes 36c can be formed on the second base 32 of the plate-shaped buffer material 30.

[0068] The cushioning material 50 described above in this embodiment is assembled in a flat device such as an image forming apparatus (e.g., a photocopier, a printing press, etc.), a personal computer, or a home appliance, which serves as the packaged object, and is bundled in an outer box (e.g., a corrugated cardboard box) for use in a packaging system. The packaged goods as part of this packaging system are delivered and handled during loading and unloading.

[0069] As a packaging system, each packaged item can also use two cushioning materials 50 (double-padded plates) of this embodiment. This allows for cushioning against impacts from six directions (such as falling) that may occur while the packaged goods are being transported, achieving a cushioning effect with only two such small parts.

[0070] Alternatively, as a packaging system, each packaged item can also use four cushioning materials 50 (four-layer padding plates) of this embodiment. This further enhances the cushioning effect against impacts from six directions (such as drops) that may occur during the packaging of goods. Furthermore, since the packaged item and the cushioning materials can be independently stored in the outer box, two of the four cushioning materials are suitable for packaging operations and the automation of the packaging process.

[0071] The present invention has been described in detail above through embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, multiple advantageous configurations and variations can be combined separately.

[0072] The present invention can be described, for example, as follows.

[0073] (Method 1)

[0074] A cushioning material assembled on a packaged body includes: a first cushioning material having a frame-shaped first base and at least one first cushioning rib disposed on the inner wall surface of the first base; and a second cushioning material having a plate-shaped second base and at least one second cushioning rib disposed on the surface of the second base, wherein the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are combined.

[0075] (Method 2)

[0076] According to the cushioning material of method 1, the first cushioning rib of the first cushioning material and the second base of the second cushioning material are separate.

[0077] (Method 3)

[0078] The cushioning material according to method 1 or 2 is characterized in that: the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are combined by a snap-fitting of a claw-shaped protrusion formed on the first base of the first cushioning material and a concave-shaped portion formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

[0079] (Method 4)

[0080] According to the cushioning material of method 3, the first base of the first cushioning material is provided with a plurality of claw-shaped protrusions, and the second base of the second cushioning material is provided with a plurality of concave portions.

[0081] (Method 5)

[0082] The cushioning material according to method 1 or 2 is characterized in that: the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are bonded by lightly pressing a rectangular protrusion formed on the first base of the first cushioning material into a recess formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

[0083] (Method 6)

[0084] The cushioning material according to method 5 is characterized in that: the rectangular protrusion and / or the recess has a chamfered portion.

[0085] (Method 7)

[0086] The cushioning material according to method 5 or 6 is characterized in that: a plurality of rectangular protrusions are formed on the first base of the first cushioning material, and a plurality of recesses are formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

[0087] (Method 8)

[0088] The cushioning material according to method 1 or 2 is characterized in that: the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are bonded by lightly pressing a cylindrical protrusion formed on the first base of the first cushioning material into a hole formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

[0089] (Method 9)

[0090] According to the cushioning material of method 8, the cushioning material is characterized in that: a plurality of cylindrical protrusions are formed in the first base of the first cushioning material, and a plurality of holes are formed in the second base of the second cushioning material.

[0091] (Method 10)

[0092] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 9 is characterized in that: two or more of the first cushioning ribs are provided on the inner wall surface of the first base body.

[0093] (Method 11)

[0094] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 10 is characterized in that: a plurality of walls are formed on the inner side of the first base, and each of the plurality of walls is provided with two or more of the first cushioning ribs.

[0095] (Method 12)

[0096] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 11 is characterized in that: two or more second cushioning ribs are provided on the surface of the second base body.

[0097] (Method 13)

[0098] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 12 is characterized in that: the first and second cushioning materials are formed from packaging materials made of foamed resin.

[0099] (Method 14)

[0100] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 12 is characterized in that: the first and second cushioning materials are formed from pulp molded packaging materials.

[0101] (Method 15)

[0102] The cushioning material according to any one of methods 1 to 12 is characterized in that the first and second cushioning materials are formed from vacuum-formed packaging materials made of plastic sheets.

[0103] (Method 16)

[0104] A packaging system characterized in that each packaged object uses a cushioning material according to any one of two methods 1 to 15.

[0105] (Method 17)

[0106] A packaging system characterized in that each packaged object uses a cushioning material according to any one of four methods 1 to 15.

Claims

1. A cushioning material assembled on a packaged object, characterized in that... include: A first cushioning material having a frame-shaped first base and at least one first cushioning rib disposed on the inner side of the first base, and The second cushioning material has a plate-shaped second base and at least one second cushioning rib disposed on the surface of the second base and protruding toward the packaged body. The first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are combined, The first buffer rib of the first buffer material is separate from the second base of the second buffer material.

2. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are bonded together by a snap-fitting mechanism between a claw-shaped protrusion formed on the first base of the first cushioning material and a concave portion formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

3. The cushioning material according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of claw-shaped protrusions are formed on the first base of the first cushioning material. The second base of the second buffer material has a plurality of concave portions formed thereon.

4. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are bonded together by gently pressing a rectangular protrusion formed on the first base of the first cushioning material into a recess formed on the second base of the second cushioning material.

5. The cushioning material according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rectangular protrusion or the recess has a chamfered portion.

6. The cushioning material according to claim 4, characterized in that: A plurality of rectangular protrusions are formed on the first base of the first cushioning material. The second base of the second buffer material has a plurality of said recesses.

7. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first buffer material and the second buffer material are bonded together by gently pressing a cylindrical protrusion formed on the first base of the first buffer material into a hole formed on the second base of the second buffer material.

8. The cushioning material according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of cylindrical protrusions are formed on the first base of the first buffer material. The second base of the second buffer material has a plurality of pores formed thereon.

9. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two or more of the first buffer ribs are provided on the inner side of the first base body.

10. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple walls are formed on the inner side of the first base. Each of the plurality of walls is provided with two or more of the first buffer ribs.

11. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two or more of the second buffer ribs are provided on the surface of the second base.

12. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first and second cushioning materials are formed from packaging materials made of foamed resin.

13. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first and second cushioning materials are formed from pulp molded packaging materials.

14. The cushioning material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first and second cushioning materials are formed from vacuum-formed packaging materials made of plastic sheets.

15. A packaging system, characterized in that: Each packaged object uses the cushioning material according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A packaging system, characterized in that: Each packaged object uses the cushioning material as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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