Buffer material, buffer mechanism, buffer material assembly device, and buffer material assembly method

Abstract

To provide a butter material allowing easy assembly thereof, a buffer mechanism, a buffer material assembly device capable of assembling the buffer material, and a buffer material assembly method.SOLUTION: A buffer material 10 comprises: a base plate 11 in a flat plate shape on which an object 300 to be protected is placed; respective side wall parts 12 in a flat plate shape erected from sides B of the base plate 11 parallel to each other; and buffer parts 13 connecting end parts of the base plate 11 and end parts of the side walls 12. For the buffer parts 13, flexible bending parts 17 are formed at positions offset from the sides B parallel to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cushioning material, a cushioning mechanism, a cushioning material assembling device, and a cushioning material assembling method. [Background technology]

[0002] Cushioning material is often used to protect items when transporting or storing them. Cushioning material is often assembled from a single blank sheet so that it does not take up storage space before use and also reduces the effort and time required to transport the cushioning material.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cushioning material that has many protrusions formed thereon to enhance cushioning performance and is assembled from a single blank sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-019051 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The blank sheet for forming the cushioning material described in Patent Document 1 has complex cuts made in it to form many protrusions on the cushioning material. Therefore, the cushioning material described in Patent Document 1 cannot be easily assembled.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide a cushioning material that can be easily assembled, a cushioning mechanism, a cushioning material assembly device that can assemble the cushioning material, and a cushioning material assembly method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the cushioning material according to the present disclosure includes a flat base plate on which an object to be protected is placed, flat side walls rising from parallel sides of the base plate, and a cushioning section connecting an end of the base plate to an end of the side walls. The cushioning section has a bendable portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the cushioning material has a simple configuration, comprising a flat base plate, flat sidewalls, and a cushioning section having a bendable portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides of the base plate from which the sidewalls stand, thereby making it possible to provide an easily assembleable cushioning material, a cushioning mechanism, a cushioning material assembly device capable of assembling the cushioning material, and a cushioning material assembly method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a buffer mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a development view of a blank sheet of a cushioning material according to embodiment 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a cushioning material according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a cushioning material according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a cushioning material according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a mechanism of a buffer material assembly device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] Block diagram of a buffer material assembling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1A is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cushioning material is assembled from a blank sheet by a pressing jig of a cushioning material assembling device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the pressing jig and the blank sheet. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of a cushioning material by the cushioning material assembly device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] An example of a table stored in the correspondence relationship storage unit shown in FIG. 7 [Figure 11] An example of a table stored in the setting storage unit shown in FIG. 7 [Figure 12] Flowchart of cushioning material assembly process according to the first embodiment [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a buffer mechanism according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a side view of a cushioning material according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] 1A is a perspective view illustrating details of a pressing jig of a shock-absorbing material assembling device according to a modified example, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating how a shock-absorbing material is assembled from a blank sheet by the pressing jig. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cushioning material, a cushioning mechanism, a cushioning material assembling device, and a cushioning material assembling method according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] For ease of understanding, an orthogonal coordinate system XYZ is set. The Z-axis direction is the direction in which the side wall portions of the cushioning material according to the embodiment rise, the Y-axis direction is the direction in which the boundary between the base plate and the side wall portions extends, and the Y-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. In the cushioning material assembly device, the Z-axis is the direction in which the side wall portions rise from the blank sheet placed on the device, and the Y-axis is the direction in which the boundary between the base plate and the side wall portions of the blank sheet placed on the device extends, and is the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. Each embodiment will be described below using this coordinate system.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] The buffer mechanism 1 according to the first embodiment includes a packaging member used to protect an object to be protected, such as a precision instrument or ceramic ware that may be damaged during transportation, storage, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the buffer mechanism 1 includes a buffer material 10 that covers the bottom surface and both end surfaces in the Z-axis direction of the object to be protected 300, a lid material 30 that covers the top surface of the object to be protected 300, the object to be protected 300 housed in the buffer material 10, and an exterior box 100 that houses the object to be protected 300, the buffer material 10, and the lid material 30.

[0013] The cushioning material 10 houses and protects the object to be protected 300. The cushioning material 10, with the object to be protected 300 housed inside, is housed in an exterior box 100 whose top can be opened and closed. The object to be protected 300 is housed inside the cushioning material 10, a lid material 30 is placed on the top surface of the object to be protected 300, and these are housed in the exterior box 100. After that, the top flap 101 of the exterior box 100 is sealed, and the object to be protected 300 is transported, stored, etc.

[0014] The cushioning material 10 is formed, for example, by folding a single cardboard blank sheet 50 shown in Fig. 2 into a U-shape with an open end in the +Z direction as shown in Fig. 3. The blank sheet 50 is a rectangular plate-like member with cut lines and fold lines. The fold lines, and more specifically, fold portion 17, boundary fold portions 18 and 19, and side B, which will be described in detail later, are formed by applying linear pressure to the blank sheet 50 to form small recesses. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cushioning material 10 has a base plate 11 on which the protected object 300 is placed, two side wall portions 12 erected from both sides of the base plate 11, and four cushioning portions 13 connecting the base plate 11 and the side wall portions 12.

[0015] The base plate 11 is a flat member disposed opposite the bottom surface of the outer box 100 when the cushioning material 10 is housed in the outer box 100. As shown in FIG. 4 , the base plate 11 has a shape in an XY plane view, in which a small rectangle is connected to each of the Y-axis sides of a central rectangle, and rectangular through-holes 14 are formed in the center of each of the X-axis sides of the central rectangle. The base plate 11 is connected to the side wall portions 12 at both sides B of the central rectangular portion. Both rectangular portions are joined to the buffer portions 13, and the base plate 11 has through-holes 14 formed near both ends in the X-axis direction between the base plate 11 and the leg portions 16 (described later). The through-holes 14 reduce friction between the base plate 11 and the leg portions 16 when folding the blank sheet 50, thereby facilitating assembly of the cushioning material 10. The base plate 11 also has through-holes 15 formed between the base plate 11 and the Y-axis ends of the buffer portions 13. The through holes 15 can reduce friction between the base plate 11 and the buffer portion 13 when the blank sheet 50 is folded, making it easier to assemble the buffer material 10.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the sidewalls 12 are flat, plate-like members that stand parallel to each other from the parallel sides B at both ends of the base plate 11 in the X-axis direction and form both ends of the cushioning material 10 in the X-axis direction. In a YZ plane view, the sidewalls 12 roughly resemble a larger rectangle with one long side of a smaller rectangle aligned in a straight line and integrated with the center of the other long side of the larger rectangle. The smaller rectangular portion is joined to the cushioning member 13, a portion of one long side of the larger rectangle is connected to the base plate 11, and the remaining portion of the long side of the larger rectangle is integrally connected to the leg 16 on a single plane. The sidewalls 12 protect the X-axis end of the protected object 300. The leg 16 is formed on the sidewalls 12 so as to protrude in the -Z direction from the -Z-direction end of the sidewalls 12. When the cushioning material 10 is housed in the exterior box 100, the cushioning material 10 is in contact with the inner bottom surface of the exterior box 100 mainly at the legs 16, cushioning impacts in the Z-axis direction and supporting the load of the protected object 300. The lengths of the legs 16 in the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are determined taking into consideration the required cushioning force, the weight of the protected object 300, etc.

[0017] The buffer section 13 is a member composed of two bendable, rectangular flat plates that connect the base plate 11 and the side wall section 12 at both ends of the buffer material 10 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the buffer section 13 has a bent section 17 formed in a position that is parallel to the side B but not in a straight line with the side B, and the bent section 17 is folded in a valley fold in the +Z direction. In the buffer section 13, a boundary bent section 18 formed at the boundary with the base plate 11 is folded in a mountain fold in the +Z direction, and at the end in the +Z direction, a boundary bent section 19 formed at the boundary with the side wall section 12 is folded in a valley fold in the +Z direction. Furthermore, on the blank sheet 50 before the cushioning material 10 is assembled, that is, on the blank sheet 50 with the cushioning material 10 unfolded, the position of the folded portion 17 in the cushioning section 13 is closer to the base plate 11 than the side B between the base plate 11 and the side wall section 12, that is, on the boundary folded portion 18 side, and is formed parallel to the side B. Therefore, when the side wall section 12 is folded, the cushioning section 13 protrudes in the -Z direction. When the cushioning material 10 is housed in the exterior box 100, the position of the folded portion 17 of the cushioning section 13 is in contact with the inner bottom surface of the exterior box 100, that is, it protrudes in the -Z direction. Therefore, the cushioning section 13 can absorb impact in the -Z direction. Furthermore, buffer 13's length along through-hole 15, lengths L1 and L2, the position of bend 17 between boundary bends 18 and 19, and the bending angle are determined taking into consideration the size, shape, and weight of protected object 300, and the position, shape, and size of protrusion 301. Therefore, buffer 13 abuts against position H, shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 , which is slightly in the -Z direction of protrusion 301 of protected object 300, and a corresponding position on the back surface. Therefore, buffer 13 can suppress movement of protected object 200 in the Y-axis direction, ensuring clearance between the Y-axis end of outer box 100 and the Y-axis end of protected object 200. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , buffer 13A protecting protrusion 301 (described later) of protected object 300 has length L1 in the Y-axis direction that is longer than length L2 of buffer 13B on the other side by the protrusion length of protrusion 301. Furthermore, on the blank sheet 50 before assembly, the folding portions 17 and the boundary folding portions 18 and 19 of the buffering portions 13A and 13B are not aligned in a straight line.

[0018] The length of the cushioning material 10 in the Y-axis direction is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner dimension in the Y-axis direction of the exterior box 100. This prevents the cushioning material 10 from rattling in the Y-axis direction when the cushioning material 10 is housed in the exterior box 100.

[0019] The length of the cushioning material 10 in the X-axis direction, that is, the length from side B in the +X direction to side B in the -X direction, is equal to or slightly smaller than the interior dimension in the X-axis direction of the exterior box 100. This prevents the cushioning material 10 from rattling in the X-axis direction when the cushioning material 10 is housed in the exterior box 100.

[0020] 1, the lid material 30 is a cushioning material in the form of a rectangular plate made of cardboard, which is placed between the protected object 300 and the top flap 101. The length of the lid material 30 in the X-axis direction is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner length of the outer box 100 in the X-axis direction. The length of the lid material 30 in the Y-axis direction is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner length of the outer box 100 in the Y-axis direction.

[0021] The outer box 100 is a box made of cardboard with a top flap 101, which is the surface in the +Z direction, that can be opened and closed. The outer box 100 is assembled by a box making machine or by a worker.

[0022] The object to be protected 300 is a rectangular parallelepiped having a protrusion 301 that needs to be protected from impacts, collisions, etc. The object to be protected 300 is, for example, a precision device or a part used in a precision device.

[0023] Next, a cushioning material assembling apparatus 200 for assembling the cushioning material 10 from the blank sheet 50 will be described.

[0024] 6 and 7, the cushioning material assembly device 200 has a mechanism 201 that assembles the cushioning material 10, and a control unit 250 that controls the mechanism 201. The mechanism 201 includes a pressing jig 210 for pressing the blank sheet 50, an insertion guide 220 for raising the side wall portion 12 in the +Z direction, and a guide rail 230 for adjusting the position of the insertion guide 220 depending on the size, shape, etc. of the blank sheet 50.

[0025] 6 and 8(A), the pressing jig 210 includes a pressing member 211 that presses the central portion of the blank sheet 50, which is the portion that will become the base plate 11 after assembly and its surrounding area; a shaft 212 that supports the pressing member 211; an elevating unit 213 that raises and lowers the shaft 212 in the Z-axis direction; and a position adjustment unit 214 that adjusts the position of the pressing member 211 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Although not shown, a plurality of pressing jigs 210a, 210b, 210c, ... are provided as selection tools for the pressing jig 210, and the cushioning material assembly apparatus 200 selects and uses an optimal pressing jig 210X depending on the size, shape, etc. of the cushioning material 10 to be assembled. The optimal pressing jig 210X is a pressing jig 210 described below. As shown in FIG. 8(B), the Y-axis length W2 of the pressing member 211 of the pressing jig 210 is longer than the length W1 obtained by subtracting the Y-axis length of the buffering sections 13A and 13B from the Y-axis length of the buffering material 10. Furthermore, the X-axis length of the pressing member 211 is shorter than the distance between the parallel sides B, B of the base plate 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, while the side wall sections 12 of the blank sheet 50 are supported from the main surface in the -Z direction by the abutment sections 221 of the insertion guide 220 described later, the pressing jig 210 can simultaneously and appropriately press the base plate 11 and the buffering sections 13A and 13B of the blank sheet 50 from the main surface in the +Z direction, thereby erecting the side wall sections 12 and bending the buffering sections 13, thereby forming the buffering material 10.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 6, the pressing member 211 is provided at the −Z direction end of the pressing jig 210, and is a member whose surface at the −Z direction end is flat.

[0027] The shaft 212 is a member that extends in the Z-axis direction and supports the pressing member 211 at its −Z direction end. The shaft 212 is disposed inside the lifting unit 213.

[0028] The lifting unit 213 has a cylindrical member with a rectangular cross section and a longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction. The lifting unit 213 uses the power of a built-in motor to advance the shaft 212 in the -Z direction, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the pressing member 211 abuts against and presses the center of the blank sheet 50. The lifting unit 213 also reversely drives the motor to move the shaft 212 in the +Z direction, separating the pressing member 211 from the blank sheet 50.

[0029] The position adjustment unit 214 has two rails 215 parallel to the Y axis and an installation member 216 that is installed between the two rails 215 and is movable in the Y axis direction on the two rails 215 and is parallel to the X axis direction. The rails 215 are fixed to a fixed frame (not shown) of the buffer material assembly device 200. The installation member 216 supports the lifting unit 213 so that it can move in the X axis direction. The position adjustment unit 214 can adjust the position of the pushing jig 210 by driving a built-in motor to move the lifting unit 213 in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction.

[0030] An insertion guide 220 and a guide rail 230 are arranged in the −Z direction of the pushing jig 210.

[0031] The insertion guide 220 is a member that abuts against and supports the side wall portion 12 on one main surface of the unfolded blank sheet 50 of the cushioning material 10, and folds the side B, the folding portion 17, and the boundary folding portions 18 and 19, thereby raising the side wall portion 12, as the central portion of the blank sheet 50 is moved in the -Z direction by the pressing jig 210. The insertion guide 220 is provided in four locations so that by supporting multiple support points on the blank sheet 50, the cushioning material 10 can be formed with a single push by pressing a position between the multiple support points with the pressing jig 210. The insertion guide 220 has a contact portion 221 on which the blank sheet 50 before folding is placed and which abuts against and supports it, and a guide portion 222 that cooperates with the abutment portion 221 to guide the side wall portion 12 moved in the -Z direction by the pressing jig 210 while tilting it in the -Z direction. The insertion guide 220 also incorporates a motor (not shown) for moving on a second guide rail 232 (described later).

[0032] The guide rail 230 has a first guide rail 231 that supports a pedestal 240 (described later) so that it can move in the X-axis direction, and a second guide rail 232 that supports the insertion guide 220 so that it can move in the Y-axis direction.

[0033] The first guide rails 231 are two rails whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction. The first guide rails 231 are arranged parallel to each other on a surface parallel to the XY plane. The first guide rails 231 support a base 240 that is movable in the X-axis direction.

[0034] The second guide rails 232 are two rails arranged on the +Z plane of the base 240, with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction. The second guide rails 232 are arranged parallel to each other on a plane parallel to the XY plane. The second guide rails 232 are arranged above the first guide rail 231 via the base 240. The second guide rails 232 are perpendicular to the first guide rail 231 when viewed in the XY plane.

[0035] The distance between the pedestals 240 can be adjusted arbitrarily by a ball screw mechanism or other configuration.

[0036] The insertion guide 220 can be switched between a state in which it grips the second guide rail 232 and a state in which it releases the grip. The insertion guide 220 can move in the Y-axis direction by driving a built-in motor when it is released from gripping the second guide rail 232. The insertion guide 220 can also move in the Y-axis direction by moving the base 240. The insertion guide 220 fixes the position of the base 240 in the Y-axis direction and grips the second guide rail 232, thereby fixing the position of the insertion guide 220 in the Y-axis direction. The mechanism unit 201 has been described above.

[0037] 9, with part of the mechanism unit 201 omitted, the mechanism unit 201 is placed on a mechanism unit placement table 290, which is a frame for placing the mechanism unit 201. An outer box 100 containing the assembled cushioning material 10 is placed at an outer box placement position P in the -Z direction of the mechanism unit 201 placed on the mechanism unit placement table 290. When the outer box 100 is placed at the outer box placement position P, the cushioning material 10 assembled by the cushioning material assembly device 200 is placed in the outer box 100.

[0038] The mechanism unit 201 is controlled by a control unit 250. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The size, shape, weight, etc. of the object to be protected 300 to be accommodated in the cushioning material 10 are input to the input unit 280 by the user.

[0040] The memory 270 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and includes an input information storage unit 271 that stores information on the protected object 300 input by the user, a correspondence relationship storage unit 272 that stores packaging materials to be used for the protected object 300, and a setting storage unit 273 that stores various settings for the mechanism unit 201. The ROM stores programs executed by the control unit 250, data required in advance for executing the programs, etc. The RAM stores programs and data that is created or changed during program execution.

[0041] The input information storage unit 271 stores the size, shape, weight, etc. of the object 300 to be protected that is to be accommodated in the cushioning material 10, which is input by the user via the input unit 280.

[0042] The correspondence relationship storage unit 272 stores the appropriate sizes, shapes, etc. of the blank sheet 50, outer box 100, and lid material 30 according to the size, shape, weight, etc. of the protected object 300. The correspondence relationship storage unit 272 also stores table numbers of various settings of each movable part constituting the mechanism unit 201 to be referenced according to the size, shape, weight, etc. of the protected object 300 in the form of a table exemplified in FIG.

[0043] The setting memory unit 273 stores various setting tables for each movable part constituting the mechanism unit 201, such as the initial position, moving distance, moving speed, and the pushing jig 210X to be selected, in the format shown in FIG. 11, with table numbers assigned.

[0044] The processor 260 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in the memory 270 to supply control signals to the mechanism section 201 and external devices (not shown) via the interface 281, thereby controlling their operation. It also implements a selection section 261 that selects an appropriate packaging material for the protected object 300, an external device control section 262 that controls external devices connected to the cushioning material assembly device 200, and a mechanism section operation control section 263 that controls the operation of the mechanism section 201.

[0045] The selection unit 261 refers to the correspondence relationship storage unit 272 to select a packaging material that is appropriate for the size, shape, weight, etc. of the protected item 300 to be contained in the cushioning material 10 input by the user via the input unit 280.

[0046] The external device control unit 262 controls the external device connected to the cushioning material assembling device 200 to place the selected packaging material at a predetermined position in the mechanism unit 201.

[0047] The mechanism operation control section 263 controls the mechanism section 201 to assemble the packaging materials arranged at predetermined positions into cushioning materials 10, and places the assembled cushioning materials 10 in the outer box 100.

[0048] Next, a method for assembling the cushioning material 10 using the cushioning material assembling apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0049] First, the user inputs information such as the size, shape, and weight of the object to be protected 300 to the cushioning material assembly device 200 via the input unit 280. Based on the information on the object to be protected 300 stored in the input information storage unit 271, the selection unit 261 reads optimal setting values ​​from various setting tables stored in the setting storage unit 273 via the correspondence relationship storage unit 272, and moves the insertion guide 220 to its initial position (step S101).

[0050] Based on the input information, the selection unit 261 refers to Table 1 in the correspondence storage unit 272 and Table 2 in the setting storage unit 273, and selects the optimum pressing jig 210 from among the multiple pressing jigs 210 (step S102).

[0051] Based on the input information, the selection unit 261 refers to the correspondence storage unit 272 and selects a blank sheet 50 on which cushioning material 10 of the optimal size, shape, etc. is unfolded. The external equipment control unit 262 causes a robot (not shown) to transport the selected blank sheet 50 to the cushioning material assembly device 200 and place it on the abutment portion 221 of the insertion guide 220. The mechanism operation control unit 263 controls the position adjustment unit 214 to adjust the position of the blank sheet 50 in the X and Y directions so that the pressing jig 210 appropriately presses the blank sheet 50. In parallel, the external equipment control unit 262 causes a belt conveyor (not shown) to place an outer box 100 optimal for containing the cushioning material 10 being assembled at the outer box placement position P. The outer box 100 is separately assembled in advance by a box former (step S103).

[0052] The mechanism operation control section 263 drives the lifting unit 213 to move the shaft 212 in the -Z direction, thereby moving the pressing member 211 in the -Z direction. As a result, the pressing member 211 presses and pushes the central portion of the blank sheet 50 from the abutting section 221 toward the guide section 222 of the insertion guide 220, thereby assembling the blank sheet 50 into the U-shaped cushioning material 10 (step S104).

[0053] The mechanism operation control section 263 further moves the pressing member 211 in the −Z direction, and stores the cushioning material 10 in the exterior box 100 (step S105).

[0054] The external device control unit 262 causes an external device (not shown) to transport the outer box 100 containing the cushioning material 10 to a location where the protected object 300 is stored. The external device control unit 262 causes the external device to contain the protected object 300 in the cushioning material 10 inside the outer box 100, and then causes the external device to place the lid material 30 on the +Z direction end of the protected object 300. Next, the sealing machine seals the top flap 101 of the outer box 100 with tape, completing the packaging work for the protected object 300.

[0055] As described above, the cushioning material 10 of the first embodiment has a simple configuration including a flat base plate 11, flat sidewalls 12, and a buffer section 13 having a bendable fold 17 formed at a position offset from the parallel sides B of the base plate 11 from which the sidewalls 12 rise, with the buffer section 13 being composed of two flat plates. Therefore, the cushioning material 10 can be easily assembled. Furthermore, according to the cushioning material 10 and the cushioning material assembly device 200, the bendable fold 17 is formed on a blank sheet 50 of the cushioning material 10 before assembly at a position offset toward the base plate 11 from the parallel sides B of the base plate 11 from which the sidewalls 12 rise. One blank sheet 50 is supported by a contact portion 221 and pressed by a pressing member 211 of a predetermined size. This allows the base plate 11, the sidewalls 12, and the buffer section 13 to be formed. Therefore, the cushioning material 10 can be easily assembled using the cushioning material assembly device 200. The cushioning material 10 can ensure clearance in the -Z direction by the cushioning section 13 and the leg section 16, and can absorb impacts in the -Z direction. Furthermore, the cushioning section 13 can ensure clearance in the Y-axis direction, and can absorb impacts in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, because the cushioning material 10 can be easily assembled, the cushioning mechanism 1 can also be easily assembled, at least for the cushioning material 10.

[0056] Furthermore, with the cushioning material assembling device 200, cushioning materials 10 can be easily assembled by placing blank sheets 50 on the contact portions 221, selecting the pressing members 211 that correspond to the blank sheets 50, and moving the pressing members 211 in the -Z direction. Furthermore, since the cushioning material assembling device 200 selects cushioning materials 10, outer boxes 100, etc. according to the size, shape, weight, etc. of the object to be protected 300, the workload and work time for packaging the objects to be protected 300 that differ in size, shape, weight, etc. and for assembling the cushioning materials 10 can be reduced.

[0057] [Embodiment 2] In embodiment 1, the buffer portion 13 of the cushioning material 10 is configured to contact the inner bottom surface of the outer box 100, i.e., to protrude in the -Z direction, but in embodiment 2, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the buffer portion 13 is configured to protrude in the X-axis direction.

[0058] In buffer section 13, on blank sheet 50 before assembly, folding section 17 within buffer section 13 is formed closer to side wall section 12 than edge B of the boundary between base plate 11 and side wall section 12. Therefore, when the central portion of the blank sheet is pressed in the -Z direction by pressing jig 210, in buffer section 13 on the +X side, boundary folding section 18 formed at the boundary with base plate 11 is folded in the +Z direction, and boundary folding section 19 formed at the boundary with side wall section 12 is folded in the +X direction, causing buffer section 13 to protrude in the +X direction. In buffer section 13 on the -X side, boundary folding section 18 formed at the boundary with base plate 11 is folded in the +Z direction, and boundary folding section 19 formed at the boundary with side wall section 12 is folded in the -X direction, causing buffer section 13 to protrude in the -X direction. Also, the outer box 100 differs from the first embodiment in that the inner dimension in the X-axis direction is the distance between the opposing sides B of the base plate 11 plus the maximum protrusion amount of the buffer section 13 in the +X and -X directions.

[0059] The cushioning material assembly device 200 used in this embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in that the length W2 in the Y-axis direction of the pressing member 211 is smaller than the length W1 obtained by subtracting the Y-axis direction length of the cushioning sections 13A and 13B from the Y-axis direction length of the cushioning material 10.

[0060] As described above, in the second embodiment, the bendable folding portion 17 of the cushioning material 10 is formed at a position offset toward the side wall portion 12 from the parallel sides B of the base plate 11 from which the side wall portion 12 stands, and the base plate 11, the side wall portion 12, and the cushioning portion 13 can be formed by pressing one blank sheet 50 with a pressing member 211 of a predetermined size. Therefore, the cushioning material 10 can be easily assembled using the cushioning material assembly device 200. The legs 16 of the cushioning material 10 can ensure clearance in the -Z direction, thereby cushioning impacts in the -Z direction. Furthermore, the cushioning portion 13 can ensure clearance in the Y-axis direction and the -Z direction, thereby cushioning impacts in the Y-axis direction and the -Z direction.

[0061] [Variations] In each of the above embodiments, the pressing member 211 is a member having a flat surface at the end in the -Z direction, but for example, as shown in Figures 15(A) and (B), it may be configured so that protrusions 211B protrude from the four corners of the base 211A, or it may have any other configuration as long as it can properly press the blank sheet.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the cushioning mechanism 1 is configured to include cushioning material 10, lid material 30, and exterior box 100, but it may also be configured to include two or more lid materials, no lid material, or two cushioning materials each covering three sides of the object to be protected. The configuration of the cushioning mechanism can be changed depending on the strength required for the cushioning mechanism, the strength required to prevent damage to the object to be protected, etc.

[0063] In each of the above embodiments, the cushioning material 10 is configured to be housed inside the outer box 100, but for example, a top flap may be integrated with one end of the cushioning material and a lid material may be integrated with the other end.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the cushioning material 10, the lid material 30, and the exterior box 100 are made of cardboard, but they may be made of polystyrene foam, plastic, etc. Alternatively, they may be made of a biodegradable sheet, and a sheet-like material that has the required strength and can be bent in an appropriate direction can be used.

[0065] Furthermore, the cushioning material 10, the lid material 30, and the exterior box 100 are used in sizes and shapes that correspond to the size and shape of the object to be protected 300. Therefore, the cushioning material and the lid material are used in sizes and shapes that correspond to the blank sheets that form the cushioning material and the lid material.

[0066] In each of the above embodiments, the mechanism unit 201 is provided with four insertion guides 220, but the number of insertion guides 220 may be two, three, five or more as long as they can press the blank sheet 50 appropriately.

[0067] In each of the above embodiments, the folding portion 17, the boundary folding portions 18, 19, and the side B were formed by applying pressure to a linear position on the blank sheet 50 to form a small recess, but the folding portion 17 and the boundary folding portions 18, 19 may also be formed by other methods.

[0068] In each of the above embodiments, on the blank sheet 50 before assembly, the folding portion 17 was formed at a position offset parallel to the parallel sides B, but as long as it can be pressed appropriately by the pressing jig 210, it may be offset at a position not parallel to the side B.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, the legs 16 are formed, but if protection by a buffer portion, a base plate, etc. is sufficient, the legs do not have to be formed.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the buffer sections 13A and 13B have different lengths, but they may have the same length.

[0071] In each of the above embodiments, the object to be protected 300 has the convex portion 301, but it does not have to have a convex portion, and may have a notch, a curved surface, or the like.

[0072] In each of the above embodiments, through holes 15 are formed, but as long as they can be pressed appropriately by the pressing jig 210, it is sufficient to form notches instead of through holes 15. Similarly, as for through holes 14, as long as they can be pressed appropriately by the pressing jig 210, it is sufficient to form notches instead of through holes 14.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the buffer section 13 is composed of two rectangular flat plates, but it may be composed of three or more flat plates, and may be composed of something other than flat plates or a shape other than a rectangle as long as it can easily form the buffer material 10. Also, in the buffer sections 13A and 13B, the bent sections 17 and the boundary bent sections 18 and 19 are not aligned, but either or both of the bent sections 17 and the boundary bent sections 18 and 19 may be aligned.

[0074] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. That is, although various exemplary embodiments are described in the present disclosure, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are contemplated within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present specification. For example, modifications of at least one component, additions, or omissions, as well as extraction of at least one component and combinations thereof with components of other embodiments, are also contemplated.

[0075] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0076] [Appendix 1] a flat base plate on which an object to be protected is placed; flat sidewall portions rising from the parallel sides of the base plate; a buffer portion connecting an end of the base plate and an end of the side wall portion, The buffer section has a bent portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides, the bent portion being bendable and stretchable. Buffer material. [Appendix 2] The bent portion is formed on the blank sheet before assembly at a position shifted from the parallel sides toward the base plate. Cushioning material as described in Appendix 1. [Appendix 3] The bent portion is formed on the blank sheet before assembly at a position shifted from the parallel sides toward the side wall portion. Cushioning material as described in Appendix 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] The bent portions are formed at positions parallel to the parallel sides and offset from each other. Buffer material as described in Appendix 1, 2 or 3. [Appendix 5] a leg portion extending from the base plate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the side wall portion rises is formed integrally with the side wall portion; The leg portion supports the load of the object to be protected. 5. A cushioning material according to any one of appendices 2 to 4. [Appendix 6] The buffer portion includes a first buffer portion that connects one end of the base plate and one end of the side wall portion, and a second buffer portion that connects the other end of the base plate and the other end of the side wall portion. 10. A cushioning material according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Appendix 7] The length of the first buffer portion in the direction in which the parallel sides extend is longer than that of the second buffer portion by a protruding length of a convex portion protruding from the object to be protected. Cushioning material as described in Appendix 6. [Appendix 8] A through hole is formed between the base plate and the buffer portion. 8. A cushioning material according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. [Appendix 9] A cushioning material according to any one of appendices 1 to 8; an object to be protected housed in the buffer material; and an outer box that accommodates the cushioning material and the object to be protected. Buffer mechanism. [Appendix 10] a pressing member having a predetermined size capable of simultaneously pressing the base plate and the buffer portion; a contact portion for supporting the blank sheet; Assemble the cushioning material according to any one of appendices 1 to 9; Cushion assembly equipment. [Appendix 11] While supporting a plurality of spaced apart support points on one main surface of a blank sheet, the blank sheet is bent by pressing a position between the plurality of support points on the other main surface of the blank sheet, side walls are raised from parallel sides of a flat base plate on which an object to be protected is placed; a flexible bending portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides of the buffer portion connecting the end of the base plate and the end of the side wall portion, and bending the flexible bending portion to form the buffer portion composed of two or more flat plates; Cushioning material assembly method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Buffer mechanism, 10 Buffer material, 11 Base plate, 12 Side wall portion, 13, 13A, 13B Buffer portion, 14, 15 Through hole, 16 Leg portion, 17 Folding portion, 18, 19 Boundary folding portion, 30 Lid material, 50 Blank sheet, 100 Outer box, 101 Top flap, 200 Buffer material assembly device, 201 Mechanism portion, 210, 210X, 210a, 210b, 210c Push jig, 211 Pressing member, 211A Base portion, 211B Protrusion portion, 212 Shaft, 213 Lifting unit, 214 Position adjustment unit, 215 Rail, 216 Erection member, 220 Insertion guide, 221 Contact portion, 222 Guide portion, 230 Guide rail, 231 First guide rail, 232 Second guide rail, 240 base, 250 control unit, 260 processor, 261 selection unit, 262 external device control unit, 263 mechanical unit operation control unit, 270 memory, 271 input information storage unit, 272 correspondence relationship storage unit, 273 setting storage unit, 280 input unit, 281 interface, 290 mechanical unit mounting base, 300 protected object, 301 convex portion, B side, H position, P outer box installation position

Claims

1. a flat base plate on which an object to be protected is placed; flat sidewall portions rising from the parallel sides of the base plate; a buffer portion connecting an end of the base plate and an end of the side wall portion, The buffer section has a bent portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides, the bent portion being bendable and stretchable. Buffer material.

2. The bent portion is formed on the blank sheet before assembly at a position shifted from the parallel sides toward the base plate. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

3. The bent portion is formed on the blank sheet before assembly at a position shifted from the parallel sides toward the side wall portion. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

4. The bent portions are formed at positions parallel to the parallel sides and offset from each other. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

5. a leg portion extending from the base plate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the side wall portion rises is formed integrally with the side wall portion; The leg portion supports the load of the object to be protected. The cushioning material according to claim 2.

6. The buffer portion includes a first buffer portion that connects one end of the base plate and one end of the side wall portion, and a second buffer portion that connects the other end of the base plate and the other end of the side wall portion. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

7. The first buffer portion has a length in a direction in which the parallel sides extend that is longer than the second buffer portion by a protruding length of a convex portion that protrudes from the object to be protected. The cushioning material according to claim 6.

8. A through hole is formed between the base plate and the buffer portion. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

9. The cushioning material according to any one of claims 1 to 8; an object to be protected housed in the buffer material; and an outer box that accommodates the cushioning material and the object to be protected. Buffer mechanism.

10. a pressing member having a predetermined size capable of simultaneously pressing the base plate and the buffer portion; a contact portion for supporting the blank sheet; Assembling the cushioning material according to any one of claims 1 to 8; Cushion assembly equipment.

11. While supporting a plurality of spaced apart support points on one main surface of a blank sheet, the blank sheet is bent by pressing a position between the plurality of support points on the other main surface of the blank sheet, side walls are raised from parallel sides of a flat base plate on which an object to be protected is placed; forming the buffer portion made up of two or more flat plates by bending a bendable portion formed at a position offset from the parallel sides of the buffer portion connecting the end of the base plate and the end of the side wall portion; Cushioning material assembly method.

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