Buffer material

Abstract

To provide a buffer material which is used when accommodating an object to be accommodated in a box and can stay inside the box even when the object to be accommodated is put in or taken out.SOLUTION: A buffer material 1A (2A, 3A) includes a body part that has two wall portions 21, 22 (31, 32) that form a storage space S1 (S2) to accommodate an object 90 to be accommodated in the box, an opening / closing portion 25 (35) that is provided on one wall portion 21 (31) of the two wall portions 21, 22 (31, 32) of the body part 20 (30) and is movable between a closed state that closes the storage space S1 (S2) and an open state that opens the storage space S1 (S2), and an opening restriction portion 27 (37) that restricts the opening / closing portion 25 (35) from becoming the closed state when the opening / closing portion 25 (35) is in the open state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushioning material. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a protective device that holds a hard disk drive between a first shell and a second shell that are facing each other, and that includes a buffer body, a locking means, an attachment member, and a displacement suppression member.

[0003] The following Patent Document 2 describes a packaging cushion made of cardboard that is attached to the end of a product stored in a packing case, and has a product storage recess that is open upward and inward and surrounded by a lower support portion, a side support portion, and a rear end support portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3408774 (Claim 1, Figures 1-3) [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6004417 (Claim 1, Figures 1-5) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To provide a cushioning material used when storing an object in a box, which allows the object to be put in and taken out even while it is still inside the box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is A main body portion having two walls forming a storage space for storing an object to be stored in the box; an opening / closing part provided on one of the two walls of the main body part and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space and an open state that opens the storage space; an opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing portion to the closed state when the opening / closing portion is in the open state; It is a cushioning material that has:

[0007] The second aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material of the first aspect, This is a cushioning material in which, when the main body is placed inside the box and the opening / closing part is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction part, a part of the opening / closing part protrudes outside from the opening of the box.

[0008] The third aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material of the second aspect, The opening restriction portion is a buffer material that restricts the opening / closing portion in the open state at an angle that is outside the passage area when the contained item is put into or taken out of the storage space.

[0009] The fourth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the third aspect, The angle is an angle of the buffer material that exceeds 180° with respect to the side surface of the storage space.

[0010] The fifth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the first aspect, The opening / closing portion is an integral structural part extended from one of the walls of the main body portion, and is a cushioning material that is continuous with the one of the walls via a bent portion that is thinner than other portions.

[0011] The sixth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the fifth aspect, The opening restriction portion is provided in a portion of the main body portion and the opening / closing portion that is outer than the bent portion, and is a cushioning material formed as a convex portion and a concave portion that removably fit together when the opening / closing portion moves to the open state.

[0012] The seventh aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the first aspect, a closing restriction portion that restricts the opening / closing portion in the closed state, The closing regulating portion is a cushioning material composed of one fitting regulating portion provided at the upper end of the other wall portion of the main body portion, and the other fitting regulating portion provided at a portion of the opening / closing portion corresponding to the one fitting regulating portion and adapted to be detachably fitted with the one fitting regulating portion.

[0013] The eighth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the seventh aspect, The one fitting regulating portion is a protrusion protruding from the upper end portion of the other wall portion, and the other fitting regulating portion is a cushioning material that is a fitting recess that is recessed in the opening / closing portion and into which the protrusion is detachably fitted.

[0014] The ninth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the seventh aspect, The opening / closing portion is a cushioning material having a portion that contacts a part of the upper surface of the contained object when the opening / closing portion is regulated by the closure regulating portion to be in the closed state.

[0015] The tenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the first aspect, The opening / closing portion is a cushioning material having a foldable portion at least in one location other than the movable portion.

[0016] The eleventh aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the fifth aspect, The main body is a cushioning material that is foldable so that the two wall portions can collapse and unfold.

[0017] The twelfth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the fifth aspect, The main body portion is a cushioning material that is divided into one wall portion including the opening and closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion of the two walls so as to be connectable to each other.

[0018] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the twelfth aspect, The main body portion includes a portion including the other wall portion, and a second opening / closing portion provided on the other wall portion and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space from below and an open state that opens the storage space, The cushioning material includes a second opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the second opening / closing portion to the closed state when the second opening / closing portion is in the open state.

[0019] The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the thirteenth aspect, The second opening restriction portion is a cushioning material that restricts the second opening / closing portion in the open state at an angle that is outside the passing area when the stored item is inserted into or removed from the storage space.

[0020] The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the twelfth aspect, a second closing restriction portion that restricts the second opening / closing portion in the closed state, The second opening / closing portion is a cushioning material having a portion that contacts a part of the bottom surface of the contained object when the second opening / closing portion is regulated by the second closing regulation portion to be in the closed state.

[0021] The sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, The cushioning material is made of foam and is placed in one or more pieces inside the box that contains the item to be contained.

[0022] The seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the cushioning material according to the sixteenth aspect, The main body of the cushioning material is placed close to two adjacent corners inside the box, and is provided with side contact portions that contact the side surfaces between the two corners inside the box other than the two wall portions. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the cushioning material of the first means, the contained items can be put in and taken out even while the cushioning material is still inside the box.

[0024] The cushioning material of the second means described above makes it easier to insert and remove contained items while avoiding collision with the opening and closing part, even when the cushioning material is left inside the box, compared to a state in which part of the opening and closing part does not protrude out from the opening of the box when the opening and closing part is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction part.

[0025] According to the cushioning material of the third means described above, the opening and closing portion in the open state is less likely to become an obstacle when inserting or removing the contained items, compared to when the opening and closing portion is configured to restrict the opening at an angle that would cause the opening and closing portion in the open state to enter the passing area when the contained items are inserted or removed from the storage space.

[0026] According to the cushioning material of the fourth means, the contained items can be put in and taken out more smoothly compared to when the restricting angle of the opening restricting portion relative to the side surface of the storage space is 180° or less.

[0027] According to the cushioning material of the fifth aspect, the number of parts constituting the cushioning material can be reduced compared to when the opening / closing portion is a structural part separate from the main body portion.

[0028] According to the cushioning material of the sixth means, the opening restriction portion can have a simpler structure than when the opening restriction portion is configured as a separate body from the main body portion and the opening / closing portion.

[0029] According to the cushioning material of the seventh means described above, the opening and closing portion in the closed state can be more easily regulated than when the closing control portion is not composed of one fitting control portion and the other fitting control portion that are detachably fitted together.

[0030] According to the cushioning material of the eighth means, the fitting recess in the opening / closing part does not become an obstacle when inserting or removing the contained object into or from the containing space, as compared with the case where the other fitting restriction part in the opening / closing part is a protrusion.

[0031] According to the cushioning material of the ninth means described above, the cushioning function for the upper surface of the contained object can be ensured when the opening / closing portion is regulated by the closing regulating portion to the closed state, compared to when the opening / closing portion does not have a portion that contacts a part of the upper surface of the contained object.

[0032] According to the cushioning material of the above-mentioned 10th means, compared to a case in which a foldable fold is not provided at the opening and closing portion, the cushioning function can be ensured for at least a portion of the polygonal upper surface of the contained object, even if the upper surface of the object is polygonal.

[0033] According to the cushioning material of the eleventh means described above, the cushioning material can be stored in a state with less three-dimensional bulk when not in use, compared to a case in which the main body cannot be folded so as to unfold by laying down the two wall portions.

[0034] According to the cushioning material of the 12th means described above, when the cushioning material is not in use, the three-dimensional bulk can be reduced and it can be stored in a divided state, compared to when the main body is not divided into one wall portion including the opening / closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion so that they can be connected to each other.

[0035] According to the cushioning material of the thirteenth means, even if the cushioning material is left inside the box, the contents can be put in and taken out by leaving the second opening and closing part in the open state.

[0036] According to the cushioning material of the above-mentioned 14th means, the second opening and closing portion in the open state is less likely to become an obstacle when inserting or removing the contained items, compared to when the second opening and closing portion is configured to restrict the opening and closing at an angle that causes the second opening and closing portion in the open state to enter the passing area when inserting or removing the contained items into the storage space.

[0037] According to the cushioning material of the fifteenth means mentioned above, when the second opening / closing portion is restricted to a closed state by the second closing restricting portion, the cushioning function for the underside of the contained object can be ensured, compared to a case in which the second opening / closing portion does not have a portion that contacts a part of the underside of the contained object.

[0038] According to the cushioning material of the sixteenth aspect, the cushioning function for cushioning the contained items is ensured, and the contained items can be put in and taken out even with the cushioning material left inside the box.

[0039] According to the cushioning material of the above-mentioned 17th means, the cushioning function can be ensured even in parts of the contained object that are not subjected to the cushioning function provided by the two walls of the main body portion, compared to a case in which no side contact portion is provided on the main body portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the cushioning material of FIG. 1 when used. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cushioning material of FIG. 1 is placed inside a box. FIG. [Figure 4] 2A is a perspective view showing the state when the cushioning material of FIG. 1 and the object to be contained are placed inside a box and the opening / closing part of the cushioning material is in the open state, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the state when the opening / closing part is in the closed state in the state of (A). [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing portion of one of the cushioning materials is in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing portion of the cushioning material of (A) is in a closed state. [Figure 6] 1A is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the other cushioning material is in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material of (A) is in a closed state. [Figure 7] 1A is a side view illustrating the relationship between the cushioning material and the insertion and removal of the stored object, and FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating, in partial cross section, the state in which the stored object is placed in the storage space of the cushioning material of FIG. 1A and the opening and closing part is in the closed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9A is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in FIG. 8 is in an open state, and FIG. 9B is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in FIG. [Figure 10] 9(A) is a perspective view showing the state when the cushioning material of FIG. 8 and the object to be contained are placed inside a box and the opening and closing part of the cushioning material is in the open state, and (B) is a perspective view showing the state when the opening and closing part is in the closed state in the state of (A). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 12A is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in FIG. 11 is in an open state, and FIG. 12B is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in FIG. 11 is in a closed state. [Figure 13] 12A is a perspective view showing the state when the cushioning material and the object to be contained in the cushioning material of FIG. 11 are placed inside a box and the opening / closing part of the cushioning material is in the open state, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing the state in the process of closing the opening / closing part in the state of (A). [Figure 14] 10(A) is an oblique view of a cushioning material according to embodiment 4, and (B) is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in (A) is in an open state and the state when the opening / closing part is in a closed state. [Figure 15] 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cushioning material of FIG. 1 and the cushioning material of FIG. 11 and an object to be contained are placed inside a box and the opening and closing part of the cushioning material is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a side view showing a state in which the opening and closing part of the cushioning material according to embodiment 5 is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 17] 17(A) is a side view showing the state when the opening / closing part of the cushioning material in FIG. 16 is in a closed state, and (B) is a side view showing, in partial cross section, the state when an object is accommodated in the accommodation space of the cushioning material in (A). [Figure 18] FIG. 13(A) is a side view showing the cushioning material of embodiment 6 when it is unfolded, and (B) is a side view showing the cushioning material of (A) when the opening / closing part is in the closed state. [Figure 19] FIG. 13(A) is a side view showing the cushioning material of embodiment 7 in an unfolded state, and (B) is a side view showing the cushioning material of (A) in a closed state. [Figure 20]FIG. 13(A) is a side view showing a state in which the cushioning material according to the eighth embodiment is unfolded, and (B) is a side view showing a state in the middle of using the cushioning material of (A). [Figure 21] 20 in an open state, and (B) is a side view showing the cushioning material in (A) when the opening / closing part on the upper side is in a closed state. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is an explanatory side view showing the relationship between the cushioning material of FIG. 21 and insertion and removal of a contained object. FIG. [Diagram 23] 22 is an explanatory side view showing the relationship between the cushioning material of FIG. 21 and another insertion / removal of a contained object. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first modified example of the cushioning material, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a second modified example of the cushioning material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0042] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cushioning material 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of how the cushioning material 1A is used. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cushioning material 1A is placed inside a box. In this specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote substantially the same components, and redundant explanations of the same components will be omitted in this specification.

[0043] (Overview of cushioning materials, etc.) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cushioning material 1A is made up of two cushioning materials 2A and 3A which are used in a box 100 for accommodating an object 90 to be contained.

[0044] Here, the object to be contained 90 is a structure that needs to be contained in the box 100 using a cushioning material. The object to be contained 90 is, for example, a product such as various devices or replacement parts. Moreover, the box 100 is a box that can use a cushioning material to house the object 90. The box 100 is, for example, a packaging box used for packaging.

[0045] The box 100 shown in FIG. 2 is a box having a rectangular bottom surface 101, four side surfaces 102, 103, 104, and 105, and four cover surfaces 112, 113, 114, and 115. The four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105 are portions that form rectangular side surfaces that rise upward by being bent at approximately right angles from the four sides of the rectangular bottom surface portion 101. The four cover surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are portions that form rectangular opening and closing covers that extend in a bendable manner from the upper ends of the four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105. The inside of box 100 is, for example, a space surrounded by bottom surface portion 101 and four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105. Bottom surface portion 101 is not limited to being composed of a single piece from the beginning, and may be completed by combining surface portions divided into multiple pieces. 2 denotes, for example, an end of an adhesive tape attached from the outside to the bottom surface 101 of the box 100. In some drawings such as FIG. 3, the box 100 is shown with a part thereof cut away for convenience.

[0046] (Two cushioning materials) As shown in FIG. 1, the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A each include a main body portion 20, 30, an opening / closing portion 25, 35, an opening restriction portion 27, 37, a closing restriction portion 28, 38, a side contact portion 29, 39, and the like.

[0047] (Main body) 1 and 5, the main body 20 of one of the cushioning materials 2A is a portion having two walls 21, 22 that form a storage space S1 for storing an object 90, and a bottom 23 that connects the walls 21, 22. The main body 30 of the other cushioning material 3A is substantially the same as the main body 20, and has two walls 31, 32 which form a storage space S2 for storing the object 90, and a bottom 33 which connects the lower parts of the walls 31, 32, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. The main bodies 20 and 30 are formed with a shape and dimensions that allow them to be entirely housed inside the box 100 .

[0048] As shown in Figure 5 etc., main body 20 in embodiment 1 has an integral structure in which prismatic bottom 23 is continuous with the lower part of each of prismatic wall portions 21, 22, and the entire side surface appears to have a concave shape. The main body 20 has an inner surface 23a of the bottom 23 as a bottom surface, and defines a storage space S1 surrounded by the inner surface 23a and the inner surfaces 21a, 22a of the two wall portions 21, 22 that rise almost vertically from both ends of the inner surface 23a and face each other. When the opening / closing portion 25 is not closed, the storage space S1 becomes a three-dimensional space that is open at the top. Furthermore, the main body 20 forms outer surfaces 21b, 22b, which are the outer surfaces of the two walls 21, 22, as opposing surfaces that face the two side surfaces 102, 103 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with or be close to the two side surfaces 102, 103. The main body 20 also forms the lower surface 23b of the bottom 23 as an opposing surface that faces the bottom surface 101 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with the bottom surface 101.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6 etc., main body 30 in embodiment 1 has an integral structure in which prismatic bottom 33 is continuous with the lower part of each of prismatic wall portions 31, 32, and the entire side surface appears to have a concave shape. The main body 30 has an inner surface 33a of the bottom 33 as a bottom surface, and defines a storage space S2 surrounded by the inner surface 33a and the inner surfaces 31a, 32a of the two wall portions 31, 32 that rise almost vertically from both ends of the inner surface 33a and face each other. When the opening / closing portion 35 is not closed, the storage space S2 becomes a three-dimensional space that is open at the top. Furthermore, the main body 30 forms outer surfaces 31b, 32b, which are the outer surfaces of the two walls 31, 32, as opposing surfaces that face the two side surfaces 102, 103 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with or be close to the two side surfaces. Also, the main body 30 forms an outer surface 33b of the bottom 33 as an opposing surface that faces the bottom surface 101 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with the two side surfaces 102, 103 of the box 100. As described above, the main body 30 has substantially the same structure as the main body 20.

[0050] (Opening and closing part) As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the opening / closing portion 25 of the cushioning material 2A is a part that is configured to be movable between an open state (see Figure 5(A)) that opens the storage space S1 and a closed state (see Figure 5(B)) that closes the storage space S1. The opening / closing part 25 in the first embodiment is configured in a prismatic or plate-like shape, and is provided at the upper end of one wall part 21. Moreover, the opening / closing part 25 is an integral structural part extended from one wall part 21, and is continuous with one wall part 21 via a bent part 25e. The opening / closing section 25 is formed with a shape and dimensions that allow the entirety of the opening / closing section 25 to be contained within the box 100 when in the closed state.

[0051] Bent portion 25e is a portion formed on the base side of opening / closing portion 25, and is a portion that is elastically deformable with a thickness thinner than other portions of opening / closing portion 25. Specifically, bent portion 25e is formed as a plate-like portion having an arc-shaped side surface that protrudes toward the bending side. 5(A) and the like, the bent portion 25e is elastically deformed with the bent portion 25e as a fulcrum, and the opening / closing portion 25 can be moved in the opening direction indicated by the arrow D1 and the closing direction indicated by the arrow D2. As a result, the bent portion 25e enables the opening / closing portion 25 to move between the above-mentioned closed state and open state. In the case where the cushioning material 2A is made of a foam as described later, the bent portion 25e in the first embodiment is formed, for example, by cutting.

[0052] In addition, the opening / closing part 25 has an inner surface 25a, which becomes the inner surface when the opening / closing part 25 is in the closed state, that is shaped to have a portion that contacts at least a part of the upper surface of the part of the object 90 accommodated in the accommodation space S1. The inner surface 25a in the first embodiment is formed as a substantially flat surface that is close to the upper surface of the object 90. In addition, the opening / closing part 25 has an outer surface 25b, which becomes the outer surface when the opening / closing part 25 is in the closed state, formed as a facing surface that faces the lid surface parts 112, 113 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with them.

[0053] The opening / closing portion 35 of the other cushioning material 3A is a part configured to be movable between a closed state in which the storage space S2 is closed (see FIG. 6(A)) and an open state in which the storage space S2 is opened (see FIG. 6(B)), as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6. The opening / closing part 35 in the first embodiment is configured in a prismatic or plate-like shape, and is provided at the upper end of one wall part 31. The opening / closing part 35 is an integral structural part extended from one wall part 31, and is continuous with one wall part 31 via a bent part 35e. The opening / closing section 35 is formed with a shape and dimensions that allow the entirety of the opening / closing section 35 to be contained within the box 100 when in the closed state.

[0054] The bent portion 35e corresponds to the base of the opening / closing portion 35, and is a portion that is thinner and can be elastically deformed than other portions of the opening / closing portion 35. Specifically, the bent portion 35e is formed as a plate-like portion having an arc-shaped side surface that protrudes toward the bending side. 6(A) and the like, the bent portion 35e is elastically deformed with the bent portion 35e as a fulcrum, and the opening / closing portion 35 can be moved in the opening direction indicated by the arrow D1 and the closing direction indicated by the arrow D2. As a result, the bent portion 35e enables the opening / closing portion 35 to move between the closed state and the open state.

[0055] In addition, the opening / closing part 35 has an inner surface 35a, which becomes the inner surface when the opening / closing part 35 is in the closed state, that has a portion that contacts at least a part of the upper surface of the part of the object 90 accommodated in the accommodation space S2. The inner surface 35a in the first embodiment is formed as a substantially flat surface that is close to the upper surface of the object 90. Furthermore, the opening / closing portion 35 has an outer surface 35b, which becomes the outer surface when the opening / closing portion 35 is in the closed state, formed as a facing surface that faces the lid surface portions 112, 113 of the box 100 so as to come into contact with them.

[0056] (Opening regulation department) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5(A), the opening restricting portion 27 of one of the cushioning materials 2A is a portion that restricts (or stops) the movement of the opening / closing portion 25 to the closed state when the opening / closing portion 25 is in the open state. The opening restricting portion 37 of the other cushioning material 3A is a portion that restricts (or stops) the movement of the opening / closing portion 35 to the closed state when the opening / closing portion 35 is in the open state, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6(A).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the opening restricting portion 27 in the first embodiment is provided in a portion of the main body portion 20 and the opening / closing portion 25 that is outside the bent portion 25e. The opening restriction portion 27 is formed as a convex portion 27A and a concave portion 27B which are detachably fitted together by movement when the opening / closing portion 25 is in the open state.

[0058] The convex portion 27A of the opening restricting portion 27 is formed at a portion that can face the lower end of the opening / closing portion 25 or the upper end of one of the wall portions 21, so as to protrude toward the upper end of one of the wall portions 21 and have an expanded tip side. In addition, the protruding base portion of the convex portion 27A has an abutment portion 27At formed on the side opposite the bent portion 25e, which abuts against a part of the upper end of one of the wall portions 21 (the receiving portion 27Bt described later) when the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 27 (see Figure 5).

[0059] On the other hand, the recess 27B of the opening restricting portion 27 is formed in a portion that can face the upper end of one of the wall portions 21 or the lower end of the opening / closing portion 25, so as to be recessed toward the inside of the one of the wall portions 21, and the innermost recessed portion is formed in a shape that can fit into and hold the expanded shaped portion at the tip side of the above-mentioned protrusion 27A. Further, the recess 27B has a receiving portion 27Bt formed at a portion of the recessed entrance opposite the bent portion 25e, which receives the abutment portion 27At of the protrusion 27A when it abuts against the receiving portion 27Bt (see FIG. 5).

[0060] In the case where the cushioning material 2A is made of a foam as described later, the convex portion 27A and the concave portion 27B of the opening restricting portion 27 in the first embodiment are formed, for example, by cutting. In this case, the convex portion 27A is formed adjacent to the bent portion 25e.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6(A), the opening restricting portion 37 in the first embodiment is provided in a portion of the main body portion 20 and the opening / closing portion 25 that is outside the bent portion 25e. The opening restriction portion 37 is formed as a convex portion 37A and a concave portion 37B which are detachably fitted together by movement when the opening / closing portion 25 is in the open state.

[0062] The protrusion 37A of the opening restricting portion 37 is formed in a portion that can face the lower end of the opening / closing portion 35 or the upper end of one of the wall portions 31, and has a shape that protrudes toward the upper end of one of the wall portions 31 and expands at the tip side. In addition, the protrusion 37A has an abutment portion 37At formed in a portion of the protruding base portion opposite the bent portion 35e, which abuts against a part of the upper end of the one of the wall portions 31 (a receiving portion 37Bt described later) when the opening / closing portion 35 is restricted in the open state by the opening restricting portion 37 (see FIG. 6).

[0063] On the other hand, the recess 37B of the opening restricting portion 37 is formed in a portion that can face the upper end portion of one of the wall portions 31 or the lower end portion of the opening / closing portion 35, so as to be recessed toward the inside of the one of the wall portions 31, and the innermost recessed portion is formed in a shape that can fit into and hold the expanded shaped portion at the tip side of the above-mentioned protrusion 37A. The recess 37B has a receiving portion 37Bt formed at a portion of the recessed entrance opposite the bent portion 35e, which receives the abutment portion 37At of the protrusion 37A when it abuts against the receiving portion 37Bt (see FIG. 6).

[0064] In the case where the cushioning material 3A is made of a foam as described later, the convex portion 37A and the concave portion 37B of the opening restricting portion 37 in the first embodiment are also formed by, for example, a cutting process. In this case, the convex portion 37A can be formed at once as a portion adjacent to the bent portion 35e by the cutting process.

[0065] (Closing regulation part) The closing restricting portion 28 of one of the cushioning materials 2A is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening / closing portion 25 in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5(A). The closing restricting portion 38 of the other cushioning material 3A is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening / closing portion 35 in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6(A).

[0066] The closing regulating portion 28 in embodiment 1 is composed of one fitting regulating portion 28A provided at the upper end portion of the other wall portion 22 of the main body portion 20, and the other fitting regulating portion 28B provided at a portion corresponding to the one fitting regulating portion 28A of the opening / closing portion 25 and detachably fitting with the one fitting regulating portion 28A. As shown in Figure 5, one of the fitting regulating portions 28A has a recessed portion that is recessed inward at the upper end portion of the other wall portion 22, and is formed as a part that fits and holds the other fitting regulating portion 28B in a hooked manner. As shown in Figure 5, the other fitting control portion 28B has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the base end on the inside of the tip end opposite the base end where the bent portion 25e of the opening / closing portion 25 is located, and is formed as a portion that is fitted and held in place by being hooked onto one fitting control portion 28A.

[0067] In addition, the closing regulating portion 38 in embodiment 1 is composed of one fitting regulating portion 38A provided at the upper end portion of the other wall portion 32 of the main body portion 30, and the other fitting regulating portion 38B provided at a position corresponding to one fitting regulating portion 38A of the opening / closing portion 35 and detachably fitting with one fitting regulating portion 38A. As shown in FIG. 6, one of the fitting regulating portions 38A has a recessed portion having an inward recessed shape at the upper end portion of the other wall portion 32, and is formed as a portion that fits and holds the other fitting regulating portion 38B in a hooked manner. As shown in Figure 6, the other fitting control portion 38B has a hook portion that protrudes toward the base end on the inside of the tip end opposite the base end where the bent portion 35e of the opening / closing portion 35 is located, and is formed as a part that is fitted and held in place by being hooked onto the one fitting control portion 38A.

[0068] (Side contact part) The side surface contact portion 29 of one of the cushioning materials 2A is a portion that comes into contact with the side surface of the inside of the box 100 other than the two wall portions 21, 22 as shown in Figs. The side surface contact portion 39 of the other cushioning material 3A is a portion that comes into contact with the inner side surface of the box 100 other than the two wall portions 31, 32 as shown in Figs.

[0069] The side contact portion 29 is formed as a three-dimensional structural portion that connects the outer sides of the two wall portions 21, 22 at a position higher than the bottom portion 23 while projecting slightly outward. Further, a rectangular recessed space is formed on the inner side surface of the side surface contact portion 29, the recessed space being connected to the accommodation space S1 formed in the main body portion 20. This recessed space is used as an extension of the accommodation space S1. Furthermore, the outer side of side contact portion 29 is composed of a surface portion that contacts or approaches side portion 102 of box 100 together with the outer surface 22b of the other wall portion 22, a surface portion that contacts or approaches side portion 103 of box 100 together with the outer surface 21b of one wall portion 21, and a surface portion that contacts or approaches side portion 104 of box 100 (see Figure 3). In addition, side contact portion 29 has a connection portion 29d that connects a lower portion of its central portion to the central portion of bottom portion 23 of main body portion 20. Connection portion 29d has a surface that is continuous with inner surface 23a of bottom portion 23 and is at the same height.

[0070] The side contact portion 39 is formed as a three-dimensional structural portion that connects the outer sides of the two wall portions 31, 32 at a position higher than the bottom portion 33 while projecting slightly outward. Further, a rectangular recessed space is formed on the inner side surface of the side surface contact portion 39, the recessed space being connected to the accommodation space S2 formed in the main body portion 30. This recessed space is used as an extension of the accommodation space S2. Furthermore, the outer side of the side contact portion 39 is composed of a surface portion that contacts or approaches the side portion 102 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 32b of the other wall portion 32, a surface portion that contacts or approaches the side portion 103 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 31b of one wall portion 31, and a surface portion that contacts or approaches the side portion 105 of the box 100 (see Figure 3). In addition, side contact portion 39 has a connection portion 39d that connects a lower portion of its central portion to the central portion of bottom portion 33 of main body portion 30. Connection portion 39d has a surface that is continuous with inner surface 33a of bottom portion 33 and is at the same height.

[0071] (Other configurations of the opening and closing part) As shown in Figures 3, 5(A), etc., the opening / closing portion 25 of one of the cushioning materials 2A is configured such that when the main body 20 is inserted inside the box 100 and the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted in an open state by the opening restriction portion 27, a portion 25n of the opening / closing portion 25 protrudes outward from the opening 120 of the box 100. As shown in Figures 3, 6(A), etc., the opening / closing portion 35 of the other cushioning material 3A is configured such that when the main body 30 is placed inside the box 100 and the opening / closing portion 35 is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction portion 37, a portion 35n of the opening / closing portion 35 protrudes outward from the opening 120 of the box 100. The opening 120 of the box 100 is a rectangular opening that is surrounded by the upper ends (sides) of the four side portions 102, 103, 104, and 105 when the cover portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are opened.

[0072] (Other configurations of the opening restriction portion) As shown in Figure 5(A), the opening restriction portion 27 in one of the cushioning materials 2A is configured to restrict the opening / closing portion 25 in the open state at an angle α1 that is outside the area (passage area Pt1: see Figure 7) through which the contained item 90 passes when it is inserted into or removed from the storage space S1. In this case, the angle α1 is preferably an angle exceeding 180° (α1>180°) formed with the side surface of the storage space S1, i.e., the inner surface 21a of one of the walls 21. The dashed-dotted line L1 in Fig. 5(A) is an imaginary line extending along the inner surface 21a of the one of the walls 21. The upper limit of the angle α1 can be set within a range up to an angle at which the opening / closing part 25 touches a part of the box 100 when the opening / closing part 25 is in an open state inside the box 100.

[0073] In addition, the opening restriction portion 37 in the other cushioning material 3A is configured to restrict the opening / closing portion 35 in the open state at an angle α2, as shown in Figure 6(A) or Figure 7, so that the opening / closing portion 35 is located outside the passing area Pt1 when the contained item 90 is inserted into or removed from the storage space S2. In this case, the angle α2 is preferably an angle exceeding 180° (α2>180°) formed with the side surface of the storage space S1, i.e., the inner surface 31a of one of the walls 31. The dashed-dotted line L2 in Fig. 6(A) is an imaginary line extending along the inner surface 31a of one of the walls 31. The upper limit of the angle α2 can be set within a range up to an angle at which the opening / closing part 35 touches a part of the box 100 when the opening / closing part 35 is in an open state inside the box 100.

[0074] There are no particular limitations on the materials for the two buffer materials 2A and 3A of the buffer material 1A described above, so long as they can be made into a structure having buffer properties. The cushioning materials 2A and 3A in the first embodiment are made of a foam made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. When the cushioning materials 2A, 3A are made of foam, for example, the convex portion 27A of the opening restricting portion 27 and the convex portion 37A of the opening restricting portion 37 can be formed in a single process adjacent to the bent portion 25e or the bent portion 35e by manufacturing them by cutting.

[0075] (Use of cushioning material) The cushioning material 1A consisting of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A described above is used by housing the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A inside a box 100 (together with an object 90 to be housed) as shown in FIG.

[0076] Specifically, one of the cushioning materials 2A is stored with its main body 20 completely contained within the box 100 and with its side contact portion 29 in contact with the side portion 104 inside the box 100. In addition, the other cushioning material 3A is stored with its main body 30 completely contained inside the box 100, and with its side contact portion 39 close to or in contact with the side portion 105 inside the box 100. In this case, one cushioning material 2A and the other cushioning material 3A are housed inside the box 100 with a gap between them, as shown in FIG.

[0077] In addition, the opening / closing portions 25, 35 of one cushioning material 2A and the other cushioning material 3A housed inside the box 100 can be opened while remaining housed inside the box 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] At this time, as shown in Figure 5 (A), the opening / closing portion 25 is in a state in which the convex portion 27A of the opening restriction portion 27 at its base end is fitted into the concave portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 at the upper end of one of the wall portions 21, and the abutment portion 27At at its base abuts against the receiving portion 27Bt at the upper end of one of the wall portions 21. As a result, the movement of the opening / closing portion 25 to the closed state is restricted by the opening restriction portion 27, and the open state is maintained. As for the opening / closing portion 35, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the convex portion 37A of the opening restricting portion 37 at the base end is fitted into the concave portion 37B of the opening restricting portion 37 at the upper end of one of the wall portions 31, and the abutment portion 37At at the base portion abuts against the receiving portion 37Bt at the upper end of one of the wall portions 31. As a result, the movement of the opening / closing portion 35 to the closed state is restricted by the opening restriction portion 37, and the open state is maintained.

[0079] Furthermore, inside the box 100 containing the cushioning materials 2A, 3A with the opening / closing sections 25, 35 in the open state, a storage space SS capable of containing the entire contained item 90 as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3 is formed. The storage space SS is a combination of the storage space S1 formed in the main body portion 20, the storage space formed by being surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 29 and the inside of the connection portion 29d, the storage space S2 formed in the main body portion 30, the storage space formed by being surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 39 and the inside of the connection portion 39d, and the space connecting the storage space S1 and the storage space S2.

[0080] (Containment of objects) Next, in the box 100, the object 90 is accommodated in the accommodation space SS defined by the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A and the like. The stored object 90 is stored in the box 100 by lowering it from above into the storage space SS.

[0081] At this time, the opening / closing portions 25, 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are in an open state inside the box 100. In other words, the storage space SS is a space with its upper portion open. Therefore, the contained object 90 can be placed in the storage space SS with the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A still inside the box 100.

[0082] Furthermore, when the opening / closing sections 25, 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A housed inside the box 100 are in an open state and restricted by the opening restriction sections 27, 37, respectively, parts 25n, 35n of the opening / closing sections 25, 35 protrude to the outside from the opening 120 of the box 100 (see Figs. 5(A) and 6(A)). As a result, even though the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are housed inside the box 100, the presence and positions of the opening / closing sections 25, 35 can be visually confirmed. For this reason, compared to a case in which the cushioning material 1A composed of two cushioning materials 2A, 3A is configured so that parts 25n, 35n of the opening / closing parts 25, 35 do not protrude outside the opening 120 of the box 100, the cushioning material 1A makes it easier to store the contained item 90 while avoiding collision with the opening / closing parts 25, 35 even when the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are left inside the box 100.

[0083] Furthermore, in the open state, the opening / closing portions 25, 35 of the cushioning materials 2A, 3A are located outside the passing area Pt1 when the contained item 90 is inserted into or removed from the storage space S2 (including the storage space S1), as shown representatively in Figure 7 for the cushioning material 3A. As a result, the cushioning material 1A, which is composed of two cushioning materials 2A, 3A, is less likely to be an obstacle when the opening / closing sections 25, 35 in the open state are performing the work of storing the stored item 90, compared to a case in which the opening / closing sections 25, 35 in the open state are configured to be regulated by the angle at which they enter the passing area Pt1.

[0084] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 6(A), in the cushioning materials 2A, 3A in embodiment 1, the angle α1, α2 when the opening restriction portion 27, 37 restricts the opening / closing portion 25, 35 in the open state is an angle that exceeds 180° with the inner surface 21a, 31a of one of the wall portions 21, 31 that forms the side of the storage space S1, S2. Therefore, with the cushioning materials 2A and 3A, the operation of storing the item 90 in the storage spaces S1 and S2 can be carried out more smoothly than when the angles α1 and α2 that regulate the opening regulating portions 27 and 37 are less than 180° relative to the side surfaces of the storage spaces S1 and S2.

[0085] By the above-mentioned storing operation, the stored object 90 is stored in the storing space SS formed inside the box 100 as shown in FIG. 4(A). At this time, the object to be contained 90 is partially contained in the containing space S1 in the cushioning material 2A on one side and the containing space S2 in the cushioning material 3A on the other side.

[0086] Next, when the object to be contained 90 is contained in the storage space SS, the open opening / closing portions 25, 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A contained inside the box 100 are closed, as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0087] 4(B) and 5(B), the opening / closing part 25 is fitted in such a way that one fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 at the end portion on the tip side is hooked onto the other fitting restriction portion 28A of the closing restriction portion 28 at the upper end portion of the other wall part 22. At this time, the tip side end portion of the opening / closing part 25 is substantially flush with the outer surface 22b of the other wall part 22 without protruding outward. As a result, the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 28 and held in the closed state. 4(B) and 6(B), the opening / closing part 35 is fitted in such a way that one fitting restriction portion 38B of the closing restriction portion 38 at the end portion on the tip side is hooked onto the other fitting restriction portion 38A of the closing restriction portion 38 at the upper end portion of the other wall part 32. At this time, the tip side end portion of the opening / closing part 35 is substantially flush with the outer surface 32b of the other wall part 32 without protruding outward. As a result, the opening / closing portion 35 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 38 and held in the closed state.

[0088] At this time, the inner surfaces 25a, 35a of the opening / closing portions 25, 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are in contact with at least a portion of the upper surface of the portion of the contained item 90 that is contained in the storage spaces S1, S2, as shown representatively in Figure 7 for cushioning material 3A. As a result, with the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A, the cushioning function for the upper surface of the contained item 90 can be ensured when the opening / closing portions 25, 35 are regulated by the closing regulating portions 28, 38 to the closed state, compared to a case in which the opening / closing portions 25, 35 do not have a portion that contacts part of the upper surface of the contained item 90. As a result, the contained object 90 is protected from impacts within the box 100 via the cushioning materials 2A and 3A.

[0089] Furthermore, at this time, the side contact portions 29, 39 (including the connection portions 29d, 39d) of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are in contact with the side portions 104, 105, respectively, located between two adjacent corners inside the box 100, as shown in Figure 4 (B). As a result, with the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A, compared to the case where the side contact portions 29, 39 are not provided on the main body portions 20, 30, the cushioning function can be ensured even in portions of the contained item 90 that are not subjected to the cushioning function provided by the two walls 21, 22 of the main body portion 20 and the cushioning function provided by the two walls 31, 32 of the main body portion 30. As a result, the contained object 90 is protected inside the box 100 from impacts applied from the side portions 104, 105 via the cushioning materials 2A, 3A.

[0090] Finally, the opening and closing portions 25, 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A housed inside the box 100 are closed, and then the lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, 115 are closed. As a result of the above, the object 90 is completely housed inside the box 100 using the two cushioning materials 2A and 3A that constitute the cushioning material 1A.

[0091] (Removal of contained items) Next, the operation of removing the contained object 90 contained in the box 100 is carried out as follows. This removal operation can be carried out by carrying out the operation of storing the contained object 90 in the reverse order.

[0092] First, as shown in Fig. 4(B), the lid surfaces 112, 113, 114, and 115 of the box 100 are opened. After that, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the two cushioning materials 2A and 3A housed inside the box 100 are opened. As a result, the box 100 is in a state where the upper part of the storage space SS inside the box 100 is open.

[0093] Next, the contained object 90 is removed from the storage space SS inside the box 100 by lifting it upward, as shown in FIG.

[0094] At this time, the contained object 90 can be removed from the storage space SS while the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A remain inside the box 100. In detail, a part of the contained object 90 is removed from the storage spaces S1, S2 of the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A. Therefore, the contained object 90 can be taken out from the storage space SS with the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A still inside the box 100.

[0095] At this time, the cushioning material 1A made up of the two cushioning materials 2A and 3A is in a state in which parts 25n and 35n of the opening and closing parts 25 and 35 protrude from the opening 120 of the box 100, similar to the case of storing the object 90 (see Figs. 5(A) and 6(A)). As a result, even though the two cushioning materials 2A and 3A are stored inside the box 100, the presence and positions of the opening and closing parts 25 and 35 can be visually confirmed. For this reason, compared to a case in which the cushioning material 1A composed of two cushioning materials 2A, 3A is configured so that parts 25n, 35n of the opening / closing parts 25, 35 do not protrude outside the opening 120 of the box 100, the cushioning material 1A makes it easier to remove the contained item 90 while avoiding collision with the opening / closing parts 25, 35 even when the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are left inside the box 100.

[0096] Furthermore, at this time, the opening / closing portions 25, 35 in the cushioning materials 2A, 3A in the open state are located outside the passing area Pt1 (see Figure 7) when the stored item 90 is put in or taken out of the storage space S2 (including the storage space S1), just as in the case of storing the stored item 90. As a result, when the two cushioning materials 2A, 3A are used, in much the same way as when the contained item 90 is stored, when the contained item 90 is pulled up above the storage space SS and removed from the box 100, the opening / closing portions 25, 35 in the open state are less likely to become an obstacle when removing the contained item 90.

[0097] Furthermore, in the cushioning materials 2A, 3A, similar to when the object to be contained 90 is being stored, the angles α1, α2 by which the opening restriction portion 27, 37 restricts the opening / closing portion 25, 35 in the open state are angles that exceed 180° with the inner surface 21a, 31a of one of the wall portions 21, 31. Therefore, according to the cushioning materials 2A and 3A, the work of removing the contained object 90 from the storage spaces S1 and S2 can be smoothly performed in substantially the same manner as the work of storing the contained object 90.

[0098] Finally, the cushioning materials 2A and 3A are removed from the box 100 after the contained object 90 has been removed. At this time, since portions 25n, 35n of the opening / closing sections 25, 35 of the cushioning materials 2A, 3A are protruding from the opening 120 of the box 100, the protruding portions 25n, 35n of the opening / closing sections 25, 35 can be grasped and easily removed. Incidentally, the cushioning material 1A made up of the cushioning materials 2A and 3A can be reused if it is stored after being removed from the inside of the box 100.

[0099] Embodiment 2 Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a cushioning material 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a side view showing one of the cushioning materials constituting the cushioning material 1B as a representative. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an example in which the cushioning material 1B is used inside a box.

[0100] Like cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1, cushioning material 1B is composed of two cushioning materials 2B, 3B, and has the same configuration as cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1 except that closing restriction portions 28 (28C, 28D), 38 (38C, 38D) of cushioning materials 2B, 3B have a different configuration from closing restriction portions 28, 38 in embodiment 1.

[0101] As shown in Figure 8, the closing regulating portion 28 in one of the cushioning materials 2B of the cushioning material 1B is configured such that one of the fitting regulating portions 28C is configured as a protrusion protruding from the upper end portion of the other wall portion 22, and the other fitting regulating portion 28D is configured as an fitting recess into which the protrusion of one of the fitting regulating portions 28C is detachably fitted. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the closing regulating portion 38 in the other cushioning material 3B of the cushioning material 1B is configured such that one fitting regulating portion 38C is configured as a protrusion protruding from the upper end portion of the other wall portion 32, and the other fitting regulating portion 38D is configured as a fitting recess into which the protrusion of one fitting regulating portion 38C is detachably fitted.

[0102] One fitting restriction portion 28C consisting of a protrusion is formed as a convex portion having a cylindrically expanded tip portion that protrudes from the upper end portion of the other wall portion 22. The cylindrically expanded portion of fitting restriction portion 28C has a shape such that its longitudinal direction is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to directions D1, D2 in which opening / closing portion 25 opens and closes. Moreover, one fitting restriction portion 38C of the closing restriction portion 38 consisting of a protrusion is also formed as a convex portion having a cylindrically expanded tip portion that protrudes from the upper end portion of the other wall portion 32. The cylindrically expanded portion of the fitting restriction portion 38C is shaped such that its longitudinal direction is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening and closing directions D1, D2 of the opening / closing portion 35.

[0103] The other fitting restriction portion 28D consisting of a fitting recess is formed as a recess having a shape of a space that is recessed inward from the inner surface 25a at the end portion on the tip side of the opening / closing portion 25 and expands into a cylindrical shape at the back side. The cylindrically expanded space of the fitting restriction portion 28D has a shape whose longitudinal direction is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening / closing directions D1, D2 in which the opening / closing portion 25 opens and closes. The other fitting restriction portion 38D consisting of a fitting recess is formed as a recess having a space shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface 35a at the end portion on the tip side of the opening / closing portion 35 and expands into a cylindrical shape at the back side. The cylindrically expanded space of the fitting restriction portion 38D has a shape whose longitudinal direction is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening / closing directions D1, D2 in which the opening / closing portion 35 is opened and closed.

[0104] The two cushioning materials 2B, 3B of the cushioning material 1B have their opening / closing portions 25, 35 restricted by the closing restricting portions 28, 38, and are brought into a closed state.

[0105] As shown in Figure 10 (B), the opening / closing portion 25 is in a state in which one of the mating regulating portions 28C of the closing regulating portion 28 at the upper end of the other wall portion 22 is fitted into the other mating regulating portion 28D of the closing regulating portion 28 at the tip end of the opening / closing portion 25. As a result, the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 28 and held in the closed state. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9(B) and 10(B), the opening / closing portion 35 is in a state in which one of the mating regulating portions 38C of the closing regulating portion 38 at the upper end of the other wall portion 32 is fitted into the other mating regulating portion 38D of the closing regulating portion 38 at the tip end of the opening / closing portion 35. As a result, the opening / closing portion 35 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 38 and held in the closed state.

[0106] The cushioning material 1B constituted by the two cushioning materials 2B and 3B described above is used by housing the cushioning materials 2B and 3B inside a box 100 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, even when this cushioning material 1B is used, the work of storing and removing the stored object 90 can be performed in substantially the same manner as when the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment is used. Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the stored object 90, the buffer materials 2B and 3B provide substantially the same functions and effects as those provided by the buffer materials 2A and 3A constituting the buffer material 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0107] In particular, in the cushioning material 1B, the other fitting restriction portions 28D, 38D of the closing restriction portions 28, 38 provided at the ends on the tip side of the opening / closing portions 25, 35 are configured as fitting recesses as described above. For this reason, with the cushioning material 1B, one of the fitting regulating portions 28C, 38C consisting of a fitting recess in the opening / closing portion 25, 35 is less likely to become an obstacle when the contained item 90 is inserted into or removed from the storage space S1, S2, compared to when the other fitting regulating portion 28D, 38D provided in the opening / closing portion 25, 35 is configured as a protrusion.

[0108] Embodiment 3 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a cushioning material 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a side view showing one of the cushioning materials constituting the cushioning material 1C as a representative. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing an example in which the cushioning material 1C is used inside a box.

[0109] Cushioning material 1C, like cushioning material 1B of embodiment 2, is composed of two cushioning materials 2C, 3C, and has the same configuration as cushioning material 1B of embodiment 2 (including cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1) except that closing restriction portions 28 (28C, 28D), 38 (38C, 38D) in cushioning materials 2C, 3C have been changed to have a different configuration from closing restriction portions 28, 38 in embodiment 2.

[0110] As shown in Figure 11, the closing regulating portion 28 in one of the cushioning materials 2C of the cushioning material 1C is configured such that one of the fitting regulating portions 28C is configured as a protrusion protruding from the inner surface 25a of the end portion on the tip side of the opening / closing portion 25, and the other fitting regulating portion 28D is configured as a fitting recess recessed in the upper end portion of the other wall portion 22 into which the protrusion of the one fitting regulating portion 28C is removably fitted. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the closing regulating portion 38 in the other cushioning material 3C of the cushioning material 1C is configured such that one fitting regulating portion 38C is configured as a protrusion protruding from the inner surface 35a of the end portion on the tip side of the opening / closing portion 35, and the other fitting regulating portion 38D is configured as a fitting recess recessed in the upper end portion of the other wall portion 32 into which the protrusion of the one fitting regulating portion 38C is detachably fitted.

[0111] In other words, one fitting regulation portion 28C and the other fitting regulation portion 28D of the closing regulation portion 28 and one fitting regulation portion 38C and the other fitting regulation portion 38D of the closing regulation portion 38 in the cushioning material 1C are in a relationship similar to that of one fitting regulation portion 28C and the other fitting regulation portion 28D of the closing regulation portion 28 and one fitting regulation portion 38C and the other fitting regulation portion 38D of the closing regulation portion 38 in the cushioning material 1B of embodiment 2, which are arranged in an interchangeable manner.

[0112] The two cushioning materials 2C, 3C of the cushioning material 1C are brought into a closed state with the opening / closing portions 25, 35 restricted by the closing restricting portions 28, 38.

[0113] As shown in Figure 13 (B), the opening / closing portion 25 is in a state in which one fitting control portion 28C of the closing control portion 28 at the tip end thereof is fitted into the other fitting control portion 28D of the closing control portion 28 at the upper end of the other wall portion 22. As a result, the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 28 and held in the closed state. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12(B) and 13(B), the opening / closing portion 35 is in a state in which one fitting control portion 38C of the closing control portion 38 at the tip end thereof is fitted into the other fitting control portion 38D of the closing control portion 38 at the upper end of the other wall portion 32. As a result, the opening / closing portion 35 is restricted by the closing restriction portion 38 and held in the closed state. When the opening / closing portions 25, 35 are closed, one of the mating restriction portions 28C, 38C may be fitted sideways into the other mating restriction portion 28D, 38D by slightly twisting the opening / closing portions 25, 35 at the bent portions 25e, 35e, as shown in Figure 13(B).

[0114] The cushioning material 1C constituted by the two cushioning materials 2C and 3C described above is used by housing the cushioning materials 2C and 3C inside a box 100 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, even when this cushioning material 1C is used, the work of storing and removing the stored object 90 can be performed in substantially the same manner as when the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment is used. Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the stored object 90, the cushioning materials 2C and 3C provide substantially the same functions and effects as those provided by the cushioning materials 2A and 3A constituting the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0115] Embodiment 4 Fig. 14 is a perspective view and a side view of a cushioning material 1D according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing an example in which the cushioning material 1D is used inside a box.

[0116] The cushioning material 1D has the same configuration as the cushioning material 2A in the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment, except that the side surface contact portion 29 (including the connection portion 29d) is omitted. As shown in FIG. 14, the cushioning material 1D includes a main body portion 40, an opening / closing portion 45, an opening restriction portion 47, a closing restriction portion 48, and the like.

[0117] The main body 40 has two walls 41, 42 that form a storage space S3 that stores an object 90, and a bottom 43 that connects the walls 41, 42. The detailed configuration of the main body 40 is the same as that of the main body 20 in the first embodiment.

[0118] The opening / closing part 45 is configured to be movable between an open state in which the storage space S3 is opened (see the left side of FIG. 14(B)) and a closed state in which the storage space S3 is closed (see the right side of FIG. 14(B)). The opening / closing part 45 is continuous with one of the walls 41 via a bent part 45e. Reference numeral 45a in FIG. 14 denotes the inner surface of the opening / closing part 45. The detailed configuration of the opening / closing part 45 is the same as that of the opening / closing part 25 in the first embodiment.

[0119] 14, the opening restricting portion 47 is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening / closing portion 45 in the closed state. The opening restricting portion 47 is formed as a convex portion 47A and a concave portion 47B that are detachably fitted together by movement when the opening / closing portion 45 is in the open state. The detailed configuration of the opening restricting portion 47 is the same as that of the opening restricting portion 27 in the first embodiment.

[0120] As shown in Fig. 14, the closing restriction portion 48 is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening / closing portion 45 in a closed state. The closing restriction portion 48 is composed of one fitting restriction portion 48A provided at the upper end portion of the other wall portion 42 of the main body portion 40, and the other fitting restriction portion 48B provided at a portion of the opening / closing portion 45 corresponding to the one fitting restriction portion 48A and detachably fitting with the one fitting restriction portion 48A. The detailed configuration of the closing restriction portion 48 is the same as that of the closing restriction portion 28 in the first embodiment.

[0121] A plurality of cushioning materials 1D can be used, and a single cushioning material 1D can also be used if useful.

[0122] In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the cushioning material 1D can be used by combining it with, for example, the cushioning materials 2A, 3A in embodiment 1 having side contact portions 29, 39, and storing it inside the box 100B. In this case, since cushioning material 1D does not have a side contact portion, it is used by being placed at a position between cushioning materials 2A and 3A which have side contact portions 29 and 39. Box 100B is a box having a shape (including the internal shape) that is long in one direction. When used in this manner, the cushioning materials 2A, 3A, and 1D are used together inside the box 100B to form a storage space that is long in one direction, and it is possible to store an object 90B that is relatively long in one direction.

[0123] Furthermore, whether this cushioning material 1D is used alone or in combination with other cushioning materials 2A, 3A, etc., the operations of storing and removing the contained item 90B can be performed in almost the same manner as when the cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1 is used. Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the contained item 90B, the cushioning material 1D also provides substantially the same effects as those provided by the cushioning materials 2A and 3A constituting the cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1, except for the effects provided by the side contact portions 29 and 39.

[0124] Embodiment 5. Fig. 16 is a side view of a cushioning material 1E according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, and Fig. 17 is a side view showing the cushioning material 1E in use.

[0125] Cushioning material 1E has the same structure as cushioning material 2A in cushioning material 1A according to embodiment 1, except that cushioning material 1E is modified by adopting opening / closing portions 25A, 25B having bent portions. Incidentally, the cushioning material 1E shown in FIG. 16 has the same configuration as the cushioning material 1D of embodiment 4, except for the opening / closing portion 45, in that it does not have a side contact portion 29 (including the connection portion 29d).

[0126] 16, the cushioning material 1E is provided with a bendable folding portion 50 at one location of the opening / closing portion 25. The one location of the opening / closing portion 25 is a portion of the opening / closing portion 25 that can move when the opening / closing portion 25 is in the open state and the closed state, i.e., a location other than the bending portion 25e. The folding portion 50 is formed by dividing the opening / closing portion 25 into two opening / closing portions 25A and 25B at the position where the opening / closing portion 25 should be folded, and then connecting the opening / closing portions 25A and 25B with a folding portion 55e.

[0127] Opening / closing portion 25A is provided so as to be bendable via bending portion 25e at the upper end portion of one wall portion 21 of main body portion 20. The open state of opening / closing portion 25A is restricted by convex portion 27A and concave portion 27B of opening restriction portion 27 provided so as to exist outside bending portion 25e. On the other hand, the opening / closing portion 25B is provided so as to be bendable with respect to the opening / closing portion 25A via a bending portion 55e. Also, the opening / closing portion 25A is provided with the other fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 at the end portion on the tip side thereof. At least one of the inner surface 25Aa of the opening / closing portion 25A and the inner surface 25Ba of the opening / closing portion 25B is

[0128] The bent portion 55e is formed as a plate-like portion that is thinner than the other portions and is capable of elastic deformation. The bent portion 55e is provided close to the inner surface 25Aa of the opening-closing portion 25A and the inner surface 25Ba of the opening-closing portion 25B and biased toward the inner surface 25Ba of the opening-closing portion 25B, so that the opening-closing portion 25B is bent toward the inner surface 25Ba of the opening-closing portion 25A as shown in FIG.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 16, the cushioning material 1E is provided with an opening restriction portion 57 at a position outside the bent portion 55e, which restricts the opening / closing portion 25A to an open state when the opening / closing portion 25B is in the open state. The opening restricting portion 57 is formed by a convex portion 57A and a concave portion 57B. The convex portion 57A and the concave portion 57B have substantially the same configuration as the convex portion 27A and the concave portion 27B of the opening restricting portion 27 in the first embodiment, except for the points described below. The convex portion 57A is provided at the end portion on the base side where the bent portion 55e of the opening / closing portion 25B is located. The concave portion 57B is provided at the end portion on the tip side where the bent portion 55e is located.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 16, the cushioning material 1E can open the opening / closing portions 25A and 25B.

[0131] At this time, opening / closing portion 25A is restricted so as to be kept in the open state by fitting convex portion 27A and concave portion 27B of opening restriction portion 27. Also, opening / closing portion 25B is restricted so as to be kept in the open state by fitting convex portion 57A and concave portion 57B of opening restriction portion 57 adjacent to bent portion 55e. As a result, the opening / closing parts 25A and 25B are maintained in an open state in which they are connected in a substantially linear manner and open the upper part of the storage space S4 formed in the main body 20. In addition, as shown in Fig. 16, the opening / closing parts 25A and 25B at this time are located outside the storage space S4, with the boundary being a virtual straight line of a dashed dotted line L1 that extends substantially vertically along the inner surface 21a of one wall part 21 that constitutes the inner surface of the storage space S4.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 17, the cushioning material 1E can be brought into a closed state in which the upper part of the accommodation space S4 is blocked with the opening / closing portion 25A and the opening / closing portion 25B folded at the bending portion 55e.

[0133] At this time, the opening / closing portion 25A and the opening / closing portion 25B are regulated to be kept in the closed state by fitting together one fitting regulation portion 28A and the other fitting regulation portion 28B of the closing regulation portion 28 of the opening / closing portion 25B so as to be hooked. Also, the opening / closing portion 25A and the opening / closing portion 25B are bent downward on both sides with the bent portion 55e as the apex. As a result, in the cushioning material 1E, when the opening / closing portions 25A and 25B are closed, a storage space S4 is formed that is pentagonal overall, with a triangular upper portion and a rectangular lower portion, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 17 (A).

[0134] Therefore, the cushioning material 1E can accommodate the contained item 90C even if the contained item 90C has a tapered shape at the top and an approximately pentagonal shape on the side, as shown in FIG. 17(B). As a result, with the cushioning material 1E, compared to a case in which an opening / closing part that does not have a bendable folding part is used, it is possible to ensure cushioning function for at least a portion of the polygonal upper surface of the contained item 90C, even if the upper surface of the contained item 90C is polygonal.

[0135] The cushioning material 1E may be configured such that at least one of the inner surface 25Aa of the opening / closing part 25A and the inner surface 25Ba of the opening / closing part 25B is in contact with a part of the polygonal upper surface of the contained object 90C. In this case, the cushioning function can be further ensured for at least a part of the polygonal upper surface of the contained object 90C.

[0136] Moreover, the cushioning material 1E is housed inside the box 100 when used. In particular, if the cushioning material 1E does not have the side contact portion 29 as in embodiment 1, it can be combined with another cushioning material 2A or the like having a side contact portion 29 and stored inside the box 100 for use, as in the case of, for example, the cushioning material 1D of embodiment 4 (see Figure 15).

[0137] Furthermore, even when this cushioning material 1E is used, the work of storing and removing the stored object 90C can be performed in substantially the same manner as when the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment is used. Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the stored object 90C using the buffer material 1E, the buffer material 1E provides substantially the same functions and effects as the buffer material 2A in the first embodiment. The cushioning material 1E may be provided with side contact portions 29 (including connection portions 29d) like the cushioning material 2A in the first embodiment.

[0138] Embodiment 6 FIG. 18 is a side view of a cushioning material 1F according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] The cushioning material 1F has the same structure as the cushioning material 2A in the cushioning material 1A according to the first embodiment, except that the main body 20 is modified to have a foldable structure. As shown in FIG. 18(A), the cushioning material 1F employs a main body 20 having a foldable structure in which two wall portions 21, 22 collapse at the boundary with a bottom portion 23 and unfold.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 18(A), the main body 20 of the cushioning material 1F has a recessed bent portion 24A between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23, and also has a recessed bent portion 24B between the bottom portion 23 and the wall portion 22.

[0141] The recessed bent portion 24A is formed in a recessed shape extending from the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23 toward the boundary between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23 at an angle of approximately 45° so as to approach each other. The recessed bent portion 24B is formed in a recessed shape from the inner surface 22a of the wall portion 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23 toward the boundary between the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 at an inclination of approximately 45° so as to approach each other. In the deepest parts of the recessed bent portions 24A, 24B, recesses 24g, 24h are formed in which approaching inclined surfaces do not completely join together so that the two walls 21, 22 and the bottom 23 are in a substantially straight line when the two walls 21, 22 are folded so as to unfold them.

[0142] 18(B), the cushioning material 1F is used with the two walls 21, 22 of the main body 20 bent inward at approximately right angles at the recessed bends 24A, 24B. As a result, a storage space S5 is formed in the main body 20, surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a, 22a of the two walls 21, 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom 23.

[0143] Moreover, when the cushioning material 1F is moved in the direction D1 in which the opening / closing portion 25 is opened, the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the engagement between the convex portion 27A and the concave portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 and is held in the open state. Furthermore, when the opening / closing portion 25 of the cushioning material 1F is moved in the closing direction D2, as shown in Figure 18 (B), the opening / closing portion 25 is regulated and held in a closed state by one engagement regulating portion 28A and the other engagement regulating portion 28B of the closing regulating portion 28 engaging with each other so as to be caught therein.

[0144] The cushioning material 1F is housed inside the box 100 when in use. In particular, if the cushioning material 1F does not have the side contact portion 29 as in embodiment 1, it can be combined with another cushioning material 2A or the like having a side contact portion 29 and stored inside the box 100 for use, as in the case of, for example, the cushioning material 1D of embodiment 4 (see Figure 15). Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the stored object 90 using the buffer material 1F, the buffer material 1F provides substantially the same functions and effects as the buffer material 2A in the first embodiment.

[0145] Furthermore, after the cushioning material 1F is removed from the inside of the box 100 to the outside, the two walls 21, 22 can be folded so as to unfold them, as shown in Figure 18 (A), so that the two walls 21, 22 and the bottom 23 are in a substantially straight line. For this reason, with the cushioning material 1F, it is possible to store the cushioning material 1F in a state with less three-dimensional bulk when not in use, compared to a case in which a main body portion 20 that cannot be folded so as to be deployed by laying down two wall portions 21, 22 is used.

[0146] Embodiment 7 FIG. 19 is a side view of a cushioning material 1G according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] As with cushioning material 1F of embodiment 6, cushioning material 1G has the same configuration as cushioning material 2A in cushioning material 1A of embodiment 1, except that main body 20 has been modified to have a foldable structure. As shown in FIG. 19(A), the cushioning material 1G employs a main body 20 having a foldable structure in which two wall portions 21, 22 collapse at the boundary with a bottom portion 23 and unfold.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 19(A), main body 20 in cushioning material 1G has cut and bent portion 24C provided between wall portion 21 and bottom portion 23, and cut and bent portion 24D provided between bottom portion 23 and wall portion 22.

[0149] The cut and bent portion 24C is formed as a cut extending substantially perpendicularly from the boundary between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23 toward the inside (toward the inner surfaces 21a, 23a) and is formed so as to leave a bent portion 24j. The bending portion 24j is configured as an elastically deformable plate-like portion by providing a space behind the cut bending portion 24C and by providing a recess that includes the space at its center and spans the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23.

[0150] The cut and bent portion 24D is formed as a cut extending substantially perpendicularly from the boundary between the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 toward the inside (toward the inner surfaces 22a, 23a) and is formed so as to leave a bent portion 24k. The bending portion 24k is configured as an elastically deformable plate-like portion by providing a space behind the cut bending portion 24D and by providing a recess that includes the space at its center and spans the inner surface 22a of the wall portion 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23.

[0151] 19(B), the cushioning material 1G is used in a state in which the two walls 21, 22 are bent inward at approximately right angles at the cut bending portions 24C, 24D of the main body 20. As a result, a storage space S5 is formed in the main body 20, which is surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a, 22a of the two walls 21, 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom 23.

[0152] Furthermore, when the cushioning material 1G is moved in the direction D1 in which the opening / closing portion 25 is opened, the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the engagement between the convex portion 27A and the concave portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 and is held in the open state. Furthermore, when the opening / closing portion 25 of the cushioning material 1G is moved in the closing direction D2, as shown in Figure 19 (B), the opening / closing portion 25 is regulated and held in a closed state by one engagement regulating portion 28A and the other engagement regulating portion 28B of the closing regulating portion 28 engaging with each other so as to be caught therein.

[0153] The cushioning material 1G is housed inside a box 100 when in use. In particular, if the cushioning material 1G does not have the side contact portion 29 as in embodiment 1, it can be combined with another cushioning material 2A or the like having a side contact portion 29 and stored inside the box 100 for use, as in the case of, for example, cushioning material 1D of embodiment 4 (see Figure 15).

[0154] Furthermore, in the operation of storing and removing the stored object 90 using the buffer material 1G, the buffer material 1G provides substantially the same functions and effects as the buffer material 2A in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the case of cushioning material 1G as well, as in the case of cushioning material 1F, cushioning material 1G can be stored in a state with less three-dimensional bulk when not in use, compared to a case in which a main body portion 20 that cannot be folded so as to be unfolded by knocking down two walls 21, 22 is used.

[0155] Embodiment 8 Fig. 20 is a side view of a cushioning material 1H according to embodiment 8 of the present invention, and Fig. 21 is a side view showing an opening / closing portion on the upper side of the cushioning material 1H in an open state and a closed state.

[0156] The cushioning material 1H has substantially the same structure as the cushioning material 2A in the first embodiment, except that it is modified by adopting a main body portion 20 that is divided so as to be connectable. As shown in Fig. 20, the main body 20 of the cushioning material 1H is divided into a first portion 6A consisting of one wall portion 21 including an opening / closing portion 25, and a second portion 6B consisting of a bottom portion 23 including the other wall portion 22. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 21, the main body 20 is configured so that the divided first portion 6A and second portion 6B can be connected to each other.

[0157] 20(A), the first portion 6A is formed such that the opening / closing portion 25 is continuous with one wall portion 21 via a bent portion 25e. The other fitting restriction portion 28F as the closing restriction portion 28 is provided at the end portion on the tip side of the opening / closing portion 25. The other fitting restriction portion 28F is configured similarly to the other fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 in the first embodiment. Further, in the first portion 6A, between the opening / closing portion 25 and one wall portion 21, similarly to the opening restriction portion 27 in the first embodiment, a convex portion 27A and a concave portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 are provided.

[0158] 20(A), the second portion 6B is formed such that the other wall portion 22 is continuous with the bottom portion 23 via the bent portion 25e so as to be able to be folded. One fitting restriction portion 28G as the closing restriction portion 28 is provided at the end portion of the other wall portion 22 opposite to the bottom portion 23. One fitting restriction portion 28G is configured similarly to one fitting restriction portion 28A of the closing restriction portion 28 in the first embodiment. Similarly to the first portion 6A, the second portion 6B has a convex portion 27A and a concave portion 27B of the opening restricting portion 27 between the other wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23. This allows the second portion 6B to maintain a substantially linear shape by restricting movement with the opening restricting portion 27 when the other wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 are unfolded. In addition, the second part 6B is configured so that the bottom 23 can be used as a second opening / closing part 65 by providing the convex part 27A and the concave part 27B of the opening restriction part 27, as shown in FIG.

[0159] Furthermore, the first portion 6A is provided with one fitting restriction portion 28E as a second closing restriction portion 28 that connects with the second portion 6B (the end portion of the bottom portion 23) at the end portion of the one wall portion 21 opposite the opening / closing portion 25. The one fitting restriction portion 28E is also one connecting portion, and has a similar configuration to the one fitting restriction portion 28A of the closing restriction portion 28 in the first embodiment. Further, the second portion 6B is provided with the other fitting restriction portion 28H as the second closing restriction portion 28 that connects with the first portion 6A (one fitting restriction portion 28E at the end of one wall portion 21 of the first portion 6A) at the end of the bottom portion 23 opposite to the other wall portion 22. The other fitting restriction portion 28H is also the other connecting portion, and has a similar configuration to the other fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 in the first embodiment.

[0160] The first part 6A and the second part 6B are configured such that, when connected by one fitting control portion 28E and the other fitting control portion 28H, one wall portion 21 of the first part 6A and the bottom portion 23 of the second part 6B are connected at approximately a right angle, as shown in Figure 21 (A). Incidentally, the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B shown in FIG. 20 are formed as parts having the same apparent configuration.

[0161] 21(A), the cushioning material 1H is connected by fitting the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B together so that one fitting restriction portion 28E and the other fitting restriction portion 28H are hooked together. Thereafter, the cushioning material 1H is bent at the bending portion 25e so that the other wall portion 22 of the second portion 6B is raised substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 23. As a result, the cushioning material 1H is ready for use with the main body 20 completed. At this stage, the main body 20 has a storage space S6 surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a, 22a of the two wall portions 21, 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23. In practice, the cushioning material 1H is housed inside the box 100 to be used, and the main body 20 is completed by connecting the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B.

[0162] In addition, when the cushioning material 1H is moved in the direction D1 in which the opening / closing portion 25 is opened, as shown in FIG. 21(A), the opening / closing portion 25 is restricted by the engagement of the convex portion 27A and the concave portion 27B in the opening restriction portion 27, and is held in an open state. Furthermore, when the cushioning material 1H is moved in the direction D2 in which the opening / closing portion 25 is closed, as shown in Figure 21 (B), the opening / closing portion 25 is regulated by a hooking engagement between one engagement regulating portion 28G and the other engagement regulating portion 28F in the closing regulating portion 28, and is maintained in a closed state.

[0163] The cushioning material 1H is housed inside the box 100 when in use. In particular, when the cushioning material 1H does not have the side contact portion 29 as in embodiment 1, it can be combined with another cushioning material 2A having a side contact portion 29 and stored inside the box 100 and used, as in the case of, for example, the cushioning material 1D of embodiment 4 (see Figure 15).

[0164] When storing or removing the object 90 using the cushioning material 1H, the opening / closing portion 25 is opened while the cushioning material 1H is stored inside the box 100, as shown in FIG. As a result, the accommodation space S6 in the cushioning material 1H becomes a space with its upper part open. Therefore, the stored object 90 can be put into and taken out of the box 100 with the cushioning material 1H still inside the box 100.

[0165] Furthermore, in the cushioning material 1H contained inside the box 100, when the opening / closing portion 25 is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction portion 27, as shown in FIG. 22, a portion 25n of the opening / closing portion 25 protrudes outward from the opening 120 of the box 100. For this reason, compared to a case in which the cushioning material 1H is configured so that a portion 25n of the opening / closing portion 25 does not protrude outside from the opening 120 of the box 100, it is easier to store and remove the contained item 90 while avoiding collision with the opening / closing portion 25 even when the cushioning material 1H is left inside the box 100.

[0166] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, the opening / closing portion 25 of the cushioning material 1H in the open state is located outside the passage area Pt1 when the contained object 90 is put into or taken out of the containing space S6. As a result, the cushioning material 1H is less likely to cause an obstacle when the opening / closing section 25 in the open state is storing or removing the stored item 90, compared to when the cushioning material 1H is configured so that the angle at which the opening / closing section 25 in the open state enters the passing area Pt1 is regulated.

[0167] (Removing items from the bottom of the box) Furthermore, when the cushioning material 1H is used, it is possible to remove the contained object 90 from the bottom side of the box 100, as shown in FIG. Incidentally, in this case, the removal operation is likely to be carried out with box 100 laid on its side, with bottom surface 101 exposed to the side. Also, the box 100 used in this case may be a box in which bottom surface 101 is divided into two bottom surfaces 101a, 101b that can be opened and closed, as shown in Fig. 23.

[0168] When carrying out this removal operation from the bottom side, as shown in FIG. 23, the bottom portion 23, which is the second opening / closing portion 65 of the cushioning material 1H housed inside the box 100, is opened. As a result, the storage space S6 in the cushioning material 1H becomes a space with its lower portion open. Therefore, the contained object 90 can be removed from the bottom side of the box 100 while the cushioning material 1H remains inside the box 100.

[0169] Furthermore, in the cushioning material 1H contained inside the box 100, when the second opening / closing portion 65 is in the open state and regulated by the opening regulation portion 27, as shown in FIG. 23, a portion 65n of the second opening / closing portion 65 protrudes outward from the opening 120 of the box 100. For this reason, with the cushioning material 1H, it is easier to remove the contained item 90 while avoiding collision with the second opening / closing portion 65, even if the cushioning material 1H is left inside the box 100, compared to a case in which a portion 65n of the second opening / closing portion 65 is configured so as not to protrude outside from the opening 120 of the box 100.

[0170] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, the second opening / closing portion 65 of the cushioning material 1H in the open state is located outside the passage area Pt2 when the contained object 90 is inserted into or removed from the bottom side of the containing space S6. As a result, the cushioning material 1H is configured so that the angle at which the second opening / closing portion 65 in the open state enters the passing area Pt2 is regulated, making it less likely that the second opening / closing portion 65 in the open state will become an obstacle when removing the contained item 90.

[0171] In addition, in the cushioning material 1H, it is preferable that the inner surface 65a of the second opening / closing portion 65 has a shape that has a portion that comes into contact with part of the lower surface of the object to be contained 90 when it is contained therein. In the cushioning material 1H that employs such an inner surface 65a of the second opening / closing portion 65, compared to a case in which a second opening / closing portion 65 that does not have a portion that contacts a part of the underside of the contained object 90 is employed, the cushioning function for the underside of the contained object 90 can be ensured when the second opening / closing portion 65 is regulated to a closed state by one engagement regulating portion 89E and the other engagement regulating portion 28H in the second closing regulating portion 28.

[0172] Variations. The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified as the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 8, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the gist of each invention described in the claims. Therefore, the present invention also includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0173] The cushioning material of the present invention may be a cushioning material 1J of variant 1, which is a modified version of the cushioning material 2A of embodiment 1, in which side contact portions 29A, 29B are provided on both sides of the main body portion 20 of the cushioning material 2A, as shown in Figure 24(A). Side contact portion 29B is provided on the side surface of main body portion 20 opposite to side contact portion 29A. In this case, side contact portions 29A and 29B may be provided with connecting portions 29Ad and 29Bd having a configuration similar to connecting portion 29d in the first embodiment so as to connect to main body portion 20, respectively.

[0174] The cushioning material 1J of the first modification can be used by itself (single piece) housed in the box 100. In this case, one side contact portion 29A of the cushioning material 1J is close to or in contact with one of the side portions of the facing side portions of the box 100, and the other side contact portion 29B is close to or in contact with the other side portion of the facing side portions of the box 100. In addition, in the cushioning material 1J, a space surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 29A and the inside of the connection portion 29Ad, and a space surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 29B and the inside of the connection portion 29Bd are added as storage spaces to the storage space S7 formed in the main body 20.

[0175] In addition, the cushioning material of the present invention may be a cushioning material 1K of variant 2 in which the cushioning materials 2A, 3A in embodiment 1 are modified so that their main body portions 20, 30 are connected to each other by connecting portions 76 to form an integrated structure, as shown in Figure 24(B). The connecting portion 76 can be configured, for example, as a portion having a width that fits between the two walls 21, 22 of the main body portion 20 and between the two walls 31, 32 of the main body portion 30, and having a shape that is flush with the inner surface (top surface) of the main body portion 20 and the inner surface (top surface) of the main body portion 30. The connecting portion 76 may be provided so as to be attached to the main body portions 20, 30 later.

[0176] The cushioning material 1K of the second modification can be used by itself (single piece) housed in the box 100. In the cushioning material 1K, in addition to the two storage spaces formed in the main body portions 20 and 30, a space surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 29 and the inside of the connection portion 29d and a space surrounded by the inside of the side contact portion 39 and the inside of the connection portion 39d are added as storage spaces.

[0177] The cushioning materials 1A-1H according to the embodiments 1-8 can be used in combination in any number of types required in accordance with conditions such as the size and shape of the contained object 90, for example. In the cushioning materials 1A-1H according to embodiments 1-8, the cushioning material 1J of modification 1, and the cushioning material 1K of modification 2, the opening / closing portions 25, 35, etc. may be separate from the main body portions 20, 30. In this case, the bent portions 25e, 35e, etc. may be formed of, for example, a shaft and a bearing.

[0178] (Additional Note) (((1))) A main body portion having two walls forming a storage space for storing an object to be stored in the box; an opening / closing part provided on one of the two walls of the main body part and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space and an open state that opens the storage space; an opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing portion to the closed state when the opening / closing portion is in the open state; A cushioning material comprising: (((2))) When the opening / closing part is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction part with the main body part placed inside the box, a part of the opening / closing part protrudes to the outside through the opening of the box (((1))). (((3))) The opening restriction portion restricts the opening and closing portion in the open state at an angle that is outside the passing area when the contained item is inserted into or removed from the storage space. (((4))) The cushioning material according to (((3))), wherein the angle is an angle with respect to a side surface of the storage space that exceeds 180°. (((5))) The opening / closing portion is an integral structural part extended from one of the walls of the main body portion and is continuous with the one of the walls via a bent portion having a thickness thinner than other portions. A cushioning material as described in any of ((1))) to (((4))). (((6))) The opening restriction portion is provided in a portion of the main body portion and the opening / closing portion that is outer than the bent portion, and is formed as a convex portion and a concave portion that detachably fit together when the opening / closing portion moves to the open state (((5))). (((7))) a closing restriction portion that restricts the opening / closing portion in the closed state, The closing regulating portion is composed of one fitting regulating portion provided at an upper end of the other wall portion of the main body portion, and the other fitting regulating portion provided at a position of the opening / closing portion corresponding to the one fitting regulating portion and adapted to detachably fit with the one fitting regulating portion. A cushioning material as described in any one of ((1))) to (((6))). (((8))) The cushioning material described in (((7))), wherein the one fitting restriction portion is a protrusion protruding from an upper end portion of the other wall portion, and the other fitting restriction portion is a fitting recess that is recessed in the opening / closing portion and into which the protrusion is detachably fitted. (((9))) The opening / closing portion has a portion that contacts a part of the upper surface of the contained object when regulated by the closure regulating portion to be in the closed state. (((10))) The cushioning material according to any one of ((1))) to (((9))), wherein the opening / closing portion is provided with a foldable portion in at least one location other than the movable portion. (((11))) The cushioning material described in (((5))) above, wherein the main body portion is foldable so that the two wall portions collapse and unfold. (((12))) The cushioning material described in ((5))) is such that the main body portion is connectably divided into one wall portion including the opening / closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion of the two walls. (((13))) The main body portion includes a portion including the other wall portion, and a second opening / closing portion provided on the other wall portion and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space from below and an open state that opens the storage space, The cushioning material according to (((12))), wherein the second opening / closing portion is provided with a second opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing portion to the closed state when in the open state. (((14))) The second opening restriction portion restricts the second opening / closing portion in the open state at an angle that is outside the passing area when the contained item is inserted into or removed from the storage space. (((15))) a second closing restriction portion that restricts the second opening / closing portion in the closed state, The second opening / closing portion has a portion that contacts a part of the underside of the contained object when regulated by the second closing regulating portion to be in the closed state (((12))). (((16))) A cushioning material as described in any one of ((1))) to (((15))) made of a foam, which is used by placing one or more of the cushioning materials inside a box that contains the contents. (((17))) The cushioning material described in (((16))) is provided in such a manner that the main body of the cushioning material, which is arranged close to two adjacent corners inside the box, is provided with side contact portions that come into contact with a side surface of the inside of the box that is between the two corners other than the two wall portions.

[0179] The cushioning material according to (((1))) allows items to be placed inside the box and removed therefrom. The cushioning material of (((2))) makes it easier to insert and remove contained items while avoiding collision with the opening and closing part, even when the cushioning material is left inside the box, compared to a state in which a part of the opening and closing part does not protrude out from the opening of the box when the opening and closing part is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction part. The cushioning material of (((3))) makes it less likely that the opening and closing portion in the open state will cause an obstacle when inserting or removing the contained items, compared to a configuration in which the opening and closing portion is configured to restrict the opening and closing at an angle that would cause the opening and closing portion in the open state to enter the passing area when the contained items are inserted or removed from the storage space. The cushioning material of (((4))) enables the insertion and removal of stored items more smoothly than when the angle restricted by the opening restriction part with respect to the side of the storage space is 180° or less. According to the cushioning material of (((5))), the number of parts constituting the cushioning material can be reduced, compared to a case in which the opening / closing portion is a structural part separate from the main body portion. According to the cushioning material of (((6))), the opening restriction portion can have a simpler structure than when the opening restriction portion is configured separately from the main body portion and the opening / closing portion. The cushioning material according to (((7))) makes it easier to regulate the opening and closing part in the closed state compared to a case in which the closing regulation part is not composed of one fitting regulation part and the other fitting regulation part that are detachably fitted together. According to the cushioning material of (((8))), the mating recess in the opening / closing part does not impede the insertion and removal of the contained object into and from the storage space, as compared to when the other mating restriction part in the opening / closing part is a protrusion. The cushioning material of (((9))) ensures a cushioning function for the upper surface of the contained object when the opening / closing part is regulated by the closing regulating part to the closed state, compared to a case in which the opening / closing part does not have a part that contacts a part of the upper surface of the contained object. With the cushioning material of (((10))), compared to a case in which no foldable fold is provided at the opening and closing part, it is possible to ensure cushioning function for at least a portion of the polygonal upper surface of the contained object, even if the upper surface of the object is polygonal. The cushioning material of (((11))) can be stored with less three-dimensional bulk when not in use, compared to a case in which the main body cannot be folded so as to lay down the two walls and unfold. The cushioning material according to (((12))) can be stored in a divided state with less three-dimensional bulk when not in use, compared to a case in which the main body is not divided into one wall portion including an opening / closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion such that they can be connected to each other. According to the cushioning material of (((13))), even if the cushioning material is left inside the box, the contents can be put in and taken out by leaving the second opening and closing part in the open state. According to the cushioning material of (((14))), the second opening and closing portion in the open state is less likely to become an obstacle when inserting or removing the contained item, compared to a configuration in which the second opening and closing portion is configured to restrict the opening and closing at an angle that causes the second opening and closing portion in the open state to enter the passing area when the contained item is inserted or removed from the storage space. The cushioning material of (((15))) ensures a cushioning function for the underside of the contained object when the second opening / closing portion is regulated by the second closing regulating portion to the closed state, compared to a case in which the second opening / closing portion does not have a portion that contacts a part of the underside of the contained object. The cushioning material according to (((16))) ensures its cushioning function for the contained items, while allowing the contained items to be put in and taken out even with the cushioning material left inside the box. With the cushioning material of (((17))), it is possible to ensure cushioning function even in parts of the contained item that are not subjected to the cushioning function provided by the two walls of the main body, compared to a case in which no side contact portions are provided on the main body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,1F,1G,1H,1J,1K...Cushioning material 20, 30, 40...Main body 21, 22…Two walls 25,35…Opening and closing 27,37,47,57...Opening regulation section 27A, 37A, 47A, 57A…Convex 27B, 37B, 47B, 57B...Concave 28,38,48...Closing regulation section 28A, 38A, 48A...One of the mating restriction parts 28B, 38B, 48B...the other mating restriction portion 31, 32…Two walls 41, 42…Two walls 90,90B,90C…Accommodated object 100,100B,90C…Box 120…Aperture S1-S7: Storage spaces formed in the main body Pt1,Pt2…passage area α1,α2…Angle

Claims

1. A main body portion having two walls forming a storage space for storing an object to be stored in the box; an opening / closing part provided on one of the two walls of the main body part and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space and an open state that opens the storage space; an opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing portion to the closed state when the opening / closing portion is in the open state; A cushioning material comprising:

2. The cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein when the opening / closing portion is in the open state and restricted by the opening restriction portion with the main body portion inserted inside the box, a portion of the opening / closing portion protrudes outside from the opening of the box.

3. The cushioning material according to claim 1 , wherein the opening restriction portion restricts the opening / closing portion in the open state at an angle that is outside the passing area when the contained item is inserted into or removed from the storage space.

4. The cushioning material according to claim 3 , wherein the angle is an angle exceeding 180° relative to a side surface of the storage space.

5. The cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing portion is an integral structural part extending from one of the walls of the main body portion and is continuous with the one of the walls via a bent portion having a thickness thinner than other portions.

6. The cushioning material described in claim 5, wherein the opening restriction portion is provided in a portion of the main body portion and the opening / closing portion that is outer than the bent portion, and is formed as a convex portion and a concave portion that removably fit together by movement when the opening / closing portion is in the open state.

7. a closing restriction portion that restricts the opening / closing portion in the closed state, The cushioning material described in claim 1, wherein the closing regulating portion is composed of one fitting regulating portion provided at an upper end portion of the other wall portion of the main body portion, and another fitting regulating portion provided at a portion of the opening / closing portion corresponding to the one fitting regulating portion and detachably fitting with the one fitting regulating portion.

8. The cushioning material according to claim 7, wherein the one fitting regulating portion is a protrusion protruding from the upper end portion of the other wall portion, and the other fitting regulating portion is a fitting recess recessed in the opening / closing portion into which the protrusion is removably fitted.

9. The cushioning material according to claim 7 , wherein the opening / closing portion has a portion that contacts a part of an upper surface of the contained object when the opening / closing portion is regulated by the closure regulating portion to be in the closed state.

10. The cushioning material according to claim 1 , wherein the opening / closing portion is provided with a foldable portion at least at one location other than the movable portion.

11. The cushioning material according to claim 5 , wherein the main body portion is foldable so that the two wall portions are folded down and deployed.

12. The cushioning material according to claim 5 , wherein the main body is divided into one wall portion including the opening / closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion of the two walls so as to be connectable to each other.

13. The main body portion includes a portion including the other wall portion, and a second opening / closing portion provided on the other wall portion and movable between a closed state that closes the storage space from below and an open state that opens the storage space, The cushioning material according to claim 12 , wherein the second opening / closing portion is provided with a second opening restriction portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing portion from the open state to the closed state.

14. The cushioning material described in claim 13, wherein the second opening restricting portion restricts the second opening / closing portion in the open state at an angle such that the second opening / closing portion is outside the passing area when the contained item is inserted into or removed from the storage space.

15. a second closing restriction portion that restricts the second opening / closing portion in the closed state, The cushioning material according to claim 12, wherein the second opening / closing portion has a portion that contacts a part of a bottom surface of the contained object when the second opening / closing portion is regulated by the second closing regulation portion to be in the closed state.

16. The cushioning material according to claim 1 , which is made of a foam and is used by placing one or more of the cushioning materials inside a box that contains the object to be contained.

17. The cushioning material according to claim 16, wherein the main body portion of the cushioning material, which is positioned close to two adjacent corners inside the box, is provided with a side contact portion that contacts a side surface between the two corners inside the box other than the two wall portions.

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