Buffer member

Abstract

The present invention provides a buffer member which has good adhesion and can obtain a better buffer effect. The cushioning member (11) is configured in such a manner that a space for accommodating an object to be packaged is formed by a set of front sheet sections (15) and back sheet sections (16) that overlap each other, the sheet sections (15, 16) are configured from a sheet (17) made of a non-woven fabric, the sheet (17) having slits (18) that pass through the sheet (17) in the thickness direction and are arranged in a staggered manner, and the cushioning member (11) adopts the following structure. A front sheet section (15) and a back sheet section (16) are configured from two sheets (17) that overlap each other. The positions of slits (18) between the sheets (17) in a front sheet section (15) and a back sheet section (16) comprising the plurality of sheets (17) are made to differ from each other when the slits are in a closed state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushioning member used for displaying, bundling, and packaging various commodities such as vegetables, fruits, foods, and boxed commodities. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a cushioning component. This cushioning component comprises a front sheet portion and a back sheet portion that overlap and face each other, with the packaged item contained within these two portions. Both the front sheet portion and the back sheet portion are formed from a nonwoven fabric sheet with a plurality of slits extending in one direction arranged in a staggered pattern. Furthermore, the overlapping configuration of the front sheet portion and the back sheet portion is maintained by a point seal that joins the inner surfaces of the sheets.

[0003] In a cushioning component of this structure, when the packaged items are stored, the gap opens, and the flexibility of the front and back sheet parts, which are made of non-woven fabric sheets, is used to deform the entire component and make it three-dimensional. At this time, the point seal maintains the freedom of deformation and maintains the desired shape of the front and back sheet parts overlapping, thereby maintaining the covering state of the packaged items stored between the unfolded front and back sheet parts. Therefore, soft and easily damaged packaged items can be used with peace of mind. Moreover, since it is fixed at the point seal part, the freedom of deformation based on the gap can be maintained, and the packaged items can also be prevented from accidentally falling.

[0004] However, when wrapping the packaged object, since the slits are open, although a shrinkage force acts on the cushioning member, the shrinkage force mainly depends on the material of the nonwoven fabric, and the followability is sometimes poor, especially for packaged objects with concave shapes.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-56718 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide a better fit and to obtain a better cushioning effect.

[0007] The buffer component used for this purpose utilizes a group of sheet portions that overlap with each other on the front and back to form a space for storing the packaged items. These sheet portions are composed of sheets made of non-woven fabric, and the sheets have slits that penetrate along the thickness direction and are arranged in a staggered manner, and the buffer component has the following structure. At least one of the sheet portions is composed of a plurality of sheets that overlap with each other. Moreover, the positions of the slits between the sheets in the sheet portion composed of a plurality of sheets are inconsistent with each other when the slits are in a closed state. In other words, "the positions of the slits are inconsistent with each other when the slits are in a closed state" means that, unlike the situation where the slits are formed when the sheets overlap, the slits do not overlap with each other between the sheets and are offset in position.

[0008] In this structure, the slits created by wrapping the packaged object create a three-dimensional structure in the sheet material, giving the sheet material itself a cushioning function. The sheet portion formed by overlapping these sheets has higher cushioning performance than a sheet portion consisting of a single layer, i.e., a single sheet. Furthermore, the slits, which are offset between the sheets in the closed state, mesh with each other when opened to create a three-dimensional structure. This creates a strong three-dimensional structure that, thanks to the nonwoven fabric's flexibility, has both adhesiveness and thickness. This structure exerts a contraction force that follows the shape of the packaged object, thereby wrapping it securely.

[0009] According to the present invention, since the three-dimensional structure of the multi-layer sheet material is entangled with each other when the slit is opened and the sheet material becomes three-dimensional, it is possible to protect the packaged object based on its softness and high cushioning properties and to wrap the packaged object with high conformability based on its strong shrinkage force. Moreover, since the sheet material is made of non-woven fabric, it is highly soft and the contact of the corners of the slit is soft. In addition, in addition to having good cushioning and conformability, unlike paper such as kraft paper, it will recover even after the slit is opened and the sheets are meshed with each other. In other words, paper will become hard, and when the slit is opened and the sheets are meshed with each other, the entangled parts will not easily recover, but if it is made of non-woven fabric, the shape will be easily restored and it can be used again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a partially cutaway front view of the buffer component.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the packaged object and the cushioning component.

[0012] Figure 3 It is an enlarged top view of the sheet.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing the gap interval of the buffer member.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the folded-back state of the cushioning member.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a cushioning member covering a packaged object.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a partially cutaway front view of another example of a buffer member.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of another example of a cushioning member.

[0018] Label Description

[0019] 11: Cushioning member; 12, 13: Openings; 14: Space; 15: Front sheet portion; 16: Back sheet portion; 17: Sheet; 18: Slit; 19: Slit row; 21: Joint; 22: End joint; X: Packaged object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 A partially cutaway front view of a cushioning member 11 that can be used as a so-called fruit cover among the cushioning members is shown.

[0022] The cushioning member 11 is formed into a flat cylindrical shape with openings 12 and 13 at both ends. The front view shape is a square, specifically a slightly long rectangle, with the openings 12 and 13 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Figure 1 In the figure, the opening 12 at the upper end shown on the upper side is slightly wider than the opening 13 at the lower end.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the cushioning member 11 of this shape forms a space 14 for accommodating the packaged objects X by overlapping a front sheet portion 15 and a back sheet portion 16 , each of which is formed of a sheet 17 .

[0024] The sheet 17 is made of a nonwoven fabric, such as a spunbond or thermally bonded nonwoven fabric, and has a plurality of slits 18 extending throughout its entire surface in the thickness direction. The slits 18 are structured to provide cushioning properties. Specifically, they are designed to be pushed open when, for example, the packaged object X is placed within the cushioning member 11, thereby forming the sheet 17 into a three-dimensional mesh structure. In this example, the slits 18 are all formed into a straight line and arranged in a staggered pattern, extending in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the slits 18. From the perspective of productivity, the nonwoven fabric used is preferably a spunbond nonwoven fabric.

[0025] Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of sheet material 17 is shown. As shown in this figure, slits 18 are formed to a constant length L and are spaced evenly in the longitudinal direction of slits 18 to form a series of slit rows 19. Multiple slit rows 19 are provided, and the slit rows 19 are arranged so that the midpoint of the series spacing S, the interval between slits 18 in these slit rows 19, corresponds to the midpoint of the longitudinal direction of the slits 18 in adjacent slit rows 19. The parallel spacing W, the interval between slit rows 19, is set similarly to the series spacing S to achieve the desired three-dimensional shape.

[0026] At least one of the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 is formed by overlapping a plurality of the above-mentioned sheets 17. In this example, an example is shown in which both the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 are formed by two sheets 17. That is, the front sheet portion 15 is formed by sheets 17a and 17b, and the back sheet portion 16 is formed by sheets 17c and 17d. Figure 1 As shown, the positions of the slits 18 between the sheets 17 in the sheet portion composed of a plurality of sheets 17 , namely, the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 , are arranged so as not to coincide with each other when the slits 18 are closed.

[0027] Specifically, for example, the parallel spacing W between the slit rows 19 is configured to be different between the overlapping sheets 17 in the sheet portions 15 and 16 composed of a plurality of sheets 17. For example, Figure 4 As shown in the cross-sectional view (a), the parallel spacing W1 of the slit columns 19 in the sheet 17 of one of the sheets 17 constituting the sheet parts 15 and 16 is made different from the parallel spacing W2 of the slit columns 19 in the sheet 17 of the other sheet 17. In the figure, the sheet 17 depicted on the upper side has the parallel spacing W1 widened. As shown in the cross-sectional view (b), the slits 18 can also be made inconsistent by making the parallel spacing W3 of the slit columns 19 in the sheets 17 constituting the sheet parts 15 and 16 the same and staggering the positions of the slit columns 19 in the parallel direction. If the slit columns 19 are staggered in the parallel direction in this way, the three-dimensional sheets 17 are easily entangled with each other, which is preferable.

[0028] Although not shown in the figure, the positions of the slits 18 may be shifted between the sheets 17 by varying the positions of the slit rows 19 in the longitudinal direction or by changing the length L of the slits 18 or the series interval S of the slits 18 .

[0029] Between the overlapping sheets 17, regarding the position of the gap 18, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the positions of the slits 18 in the closed state are staggered and misaligned, but their forms vary as described above. Therefore, the misaligned portions of the slits 18 between the sheets 17 may extend across the entire surface of the sheet 17, or may be limited to a portion. In other words, the misalignment of the positions of the slits 18 may be localized.

[0030] Furthermore, regarding the sheets 17 ( 17 b , 17 c ) located on the inner side and overlapping each other among the sheets 17 constituting the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 , the positions of the slits 18 may or may not coincide with each other when the slits are closed.

[0031] The front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 of the two sheets 17 with different configurations having such a gap 18 are integrated by a joint portion 21 formed on the left and right side edges to form the aforementioned flat cylindrical shape. The formation of the joint portion 21 can be performed by ultrasonic welding. Figure 1 In the example shown, a plurality of square dot-shaped weld points 21a are arranged in a line to form the joining portion 21. The two joining portions 21 are parallel to each other.

[0032] In addition to the joint portion 21, an end joint portion 22 is formed. As described above, the width of the lower end opening 13 is slightly narrowed in the end joint portion 22, and the end joint portion 22 is formed near the lower end, one end in the longitudinal direction of the left and right joint portions 21, and further inward from the joint portion 21. The end joint portion 22 is formed by ultrasonic welding in the same manner as the joint portion 21.

[0033] Figure 1 The illustrated end joint 22 is constructed similarly to the joint 21, with a plurality of weld points 22a arranged in a dot pattern. It is formed into a linear shape that slopes obliquely inward from the left and right ends. In other words, it is formed into an inverted "H" shape that slopes increasingly inward toward the lower end. The maximum angle of the end joint 22 relative to the joint 21 can be approximately 150 degrees.

[0034] The above configuration is one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, but other configurations can be employed.

[0035] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the overlapping sheets 17 can also have different colors. Based on the illustration, the color differences are represented by differences in dot shape and the presence or absence of dots. The color of the inner sheet 17 visible when the slit 18 is open and the color of the inner sheet 17 exposed when the upper open side is folded back create a beautiful appearance and enhance the visual effect of the packaged object X through color matching.

[0036] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, the end joint 22 can also be formed by a point-shaped point seal.

[0037] The joining portion 21 and the end joining portion 22 may be formed into a linear shape by arranging dot-shaped ultrasonic welds or may be formed of ultrasonic welds including a line.

[0038] The cushioning member 11 constructed as described above is circulated in the form of a flat sheet and is stretched when used. Figure 2 As shown, a space 14 between the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 accommodates packaged objects X such as peaches.

[0039] When the cushioning member 11 is used to cover the packaged object X, as needed, Figure 5 As shown, the portion on the upper opening side that does not have the end joint 22 is folded back outward to overlap the portion on the lower opening side. At this time, the end joint 22 maintains the shape of both sides, thereby preventing deformation of the lower opening 13 and the occurrence of misalignment between the sheets 17. Therefore, the folding operation can be performed quickly and easily.

[0040] Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shows the wrapped state. Specifically, when the packaged object X is wrapped, the highly elastic cushioning member 11 is rapidly stretched, opening slits 18. The portion surrounding slits 18 then rises obliquely, forming a three-dimensional honeycomb-like structure. In other words, the thin sheet material 17 becomes three-dimensional, increasing its thickness and providing a cushioning effect.

[0041] Furthermore, since the sheet portions 15 and 16 are formed by overlapping two sheets 17 , they can exhibit a good cushioning effect.

[0042] Furthermore, the positions of the closed gaps 18 are staggered between the overlapping sheets 17, so that when the sheet 17 is three-dimensionalized, the gaps 18 are staggered. Figure 6 As shown in the enlarged view, the sheets 17 are entangled with each other, and the thickness and elasticity are increased, thereby exerting a better cushioning effect.

[0043] In addition to this excellent cushioning effect, the three-dimensional, intertwined, and overlapping sheets 17 also exert a strong contraction force, namely, a force that closes the slits 18 and contracts. This results in excellent conformability to the shape of the packaged object X, enabling highly conformable wrapping. Despite its high contraction force, the nonwoven fabric sheet 17 is also highly flexible, preventing even delicate packaged objects X, such as peaches, from being damaged by the corners of the slits 18. This highly stretchable, thick, and conformable wrapping provides excellent cushioning even for delicate packaged objects X, such as grapes, which have complex shapes and are prone to falling from the bunch.

[0044] In particular, since the cushioning material 11 is more flexible than kraft paper, it can be used safely even on delicate fruits like peaches, which are difficult to handle with kraft paper fruit covers. Using a nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 30 gsm to 100 gsm as the cushioning material 11 for delicate fruits like peaches is preferred because it provides effective flexibility.

[0045] When the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 are folded back and covered, the thickness is further increased, so the cushioning function can be improved. Therefore, according to the use, even if any one of the front sheet portion 15 and the back sheet portion 16 is composed of a sheet 17, it can still function fully as the cushioning component 11.

Claims

1. A cushioning member, wherein a space for storing a packaged object is formed by a set of overlapping sheet portions, the sheet portions being composed of a non-woven fabric sheet having slits extending through the sheet in a staggered manner and arranged in a thickness direction, wherein: At least one of the sheet parts is composed of a plurality of the sheets overlapped with each other, In the sheet portion formed of a plurality of the sheets, positions of the slits between the sheets do not coincide with each other when the slits are in a closed state.

2. The buffer component according to claim 1, wherein The parallel spacing of the slit rows formed of a plurality of slits arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slits is different between the sheets that overlap each other in the sheet portion formed of a plurality of the sheets.

3. The cushioning component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cushioning component has joints on both left and right sides for joining the front and back sheet portions, and end joints for narrowing the width of the opening, the end joints being formed near one end in the longitudinal direction of the joints.

4. The buffer component according to claim 3, wherein The end joint portion is formed in a linear shape that is inclined obliquely inward from the end portion in the left-right direction.

5. The cushioning component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The front and back sheet portions are both composed of two sheets.

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