Cushioning material and package

Abstract

To eliminate the need for attaching a separate member to a recessed part before mounting a cushioning material on a product having the recessed part on a side face.SOLUTION: A cushioning material includes a support part for supporting a side surface of a product stored in a box, and a movable part provided on the support part and movable into a recessed part of the side surface while the support part supports the side surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cushioning material used to protect fragile items from impact. The cushioning material includes a base that holds the fragile items and a cushioning part connected to the base. The cushioning part of the cushioning material is formed from an elastically deformable material, and the cushioning part has a groove that extends in the direction in which the impact is applied. In the cushioning material, a plastically deformable material is fitted into the groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-138853 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cushioning material may include a support part that supports the side of the product to be placed in the box. When attaching this cushioning material to a product with a recess on the side, the support part cannot support the side, so it is necessary to attach a separate part to the recess before attaching the cushioning material to the product.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to eliminate the need to attach a separate member to a recess on a side surface of a product before attaching a cushioning material to the recess. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect comprises a support part that supports the side of a product contained in a box, and a movable part that is provided on the support part and can move into a recess in the side when the support part is supporting the side.

[0007] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, a connecting portion is provided that connects the support portion and the movable portion and that deforms to allow the movable portion to move into the recess.

[0008] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the connecting portion connects one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the movement direction to the support portion, and has a pair of arms formed in an arc shape when viewed in a plane.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, an action part that applies a moving force to move the movable part out of the recessed part is provided.

[0010] In the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the acting portion connects each of one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the movement direction to the support portion, and has a pair of arms that are formed in an arc shape in a planar view and apply the movement force by elastic force.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, in the first aspect, the movable part is movable from a first position that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the support part and is located outside the recess, to a second position that enters the recess.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the movable portion does not protrude outward beyond the outer surface when in the second position.

[0013] In the eighth aspect, in the sixth aspect, a contact surface is formed on the movable part that comes into contact with the box when the cushioning material is placed in the box, which opens upward, and moves the movable part from the first position to the second position.

[0014] A ninth aspect includes a product, a box that houses the product, and the cushioning material according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the support portion supports a side surface of the product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the configuration of the first aspect, it is not necessary to attach a separate member to the recess on the side surface of a product before attaching the cushioning material.

[0016] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the movable portion is more likely to be prevented from separating from the support portion than when the buffer material includes only the support portion and the movable portion.

[0017] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the movable portion is more likely to be prevented from separating from the support portion than when the movable portion is connected to the support portion at only one point.

[0018] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, it is possible to eliminate the need for an operation to move the movable part out of the recessed part.

[0019] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the movable portion is prevented from moving improperly out of the recess, compared to when the movable portion is connected to the support portion at only one point.

[0020] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, it is easier to apply an external force that moves the movable part into the recess, compared to when the movable part is always located at a position that does not protrude outward beyond the outer surface of the support part.

[0021] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the movable portion is less likely to be an obstacle when in the second position than when the movable portion protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the support portion when in the second position.

[0022] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, it is possible to eliminate the need for an operation to move the movable part into the recess.

[0023] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, it is possible to eliminate the need to attach a separate member to the recessed portion before attaching the cushioning material to a product having a recessed portion on its side surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the packaging body according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the packaging body according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the product and cushioning material are being placed in the box according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cushioning material according to the embodiment, in which the movable portion is located at a first position. [Figure 5] 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the cushioning material according to the present embodiment in which the movable portion is located at a first position (specifically, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4). FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a plan view of the cushioning material in which the movable portion is located at a second position according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the cushioning material according to the present embodiment with the movable portion positioned at a second position (specifically, a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6). FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a cushioning material according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] <Package 10> The configuration of the packaging body 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the packaging body 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a part of the packaging body 10 according to this embodiment.

[0027] Note that the arrow UP in the figure indicates the top of the device. The arrow DO in the figure indicates the bottom of the device. The arrow LH in the figure indicates the left of the device. The arrow RH in the figure indicates the right of the device. The arrow FR in the figure indicates the front of the device. The arrow RR in the figure indicates the rear of the device. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation, and the device configuration is not limited to these directions. Note that in each direction of the device, the word "device" may be omitted. For example, "above the device" may be simply referred to as "above."

[0028] In the following description, the "up-down direction" may be used to mean "both above and below" or "either above or below." The "left-right direction" may be used to mean "both right and left" or "either right or left." The "left-right direction" may also be referred to as the side, lateral, width, and horizontal direction. The "front-rear direction" may be used to mean "both forward and backward" or "either forward or backward." The "front-rear direction" may also be referred to as the side, lateral, width, and horizontal direction. The up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction are directions that intersect with each other (specifically, directions that are perpendicular to each other).

[0029] In the figures, the symbol "x" inside a "circle" indicates an arrow pointing from the front to the back of the page. In the figures, the symbol "·" inside a "circle" indicates an arrow pointing from the back to the front of the page. The dimensional ratios of the parts shown in each figure in the up-down, left-right, and front-to-back directions may differ from the actual dimensional ratios.

[0030] The packaging 10 is used to package a product 12. The packaging 10 is a concept that includes the product 12 as a component. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the packaging 10 includes the product 12 and cushioning material 13. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the packaging 10 includes a box 20 and cushioning material 15. Each part of the packaging 10 will be described below. Packaging refers to wrapping the product 12 to prepare it for transportation, storage, sale, etc.

[0031] <Product 12> The product 12 is an object to be packaged. The product 12 is an article made of a certain material. As shown in FIG. 1 , the product 12 has a top surface 12U, a bottom surface 12D, a front surface 12F, a rear surface 12B, a right surface 12R, and a left surface 12L. The top surface 12U, the bottom surface 12D, the front surface 12F, the rear surface 12B, the right surface 12R, and the left surface 12L are surfaces facing upward, downward, forward, backward, right, and left, respectively. The front surface 12F, the rear surface 12B, the right surface 12R, and the left surface 12L are examples of side surfaces. In this embodiment, the product 12 has a recess 14 in a portion of the left surface 12L.

[0032] The recess 14 is a portion recessed to the right from the left surface 12L. The recess 14 is recessed in the vertical middle of the product 12. A portion 16 below the recess 14 protrudes to the left beyond the innermost surface 14D of the recess 14. Because the portion 16 protrudes in this manner, the innermost surface 14D of the recess 14 cannot be supported by the bottom support 30D and left support 30L of the cushioning material 13, which will be described later.

[0033] The product 12 corresponds to, for example, a component part of an image forming apparatus that forms an image. Examples of the image forming apparatus include electrophotographic or inkjet printers. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the component parts include units used in each process such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0034] 1, the product 12 is shown in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but various shapes are possible. Each surface of the product 12 may have irregularities other than the recesses 14.

[0035] <Box 20> Fig. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the product 12 and cushioning materials 13, 15 are housed in the box 20 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the product 12 and cushioning materials 13, 15 are being housed in the box 20 according to this embodiment.

[0036] The box 20 is a container that houses the product 12. Specifically, the box 20 is a cardboard box. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the box 20 has a bottom wall 20D, a right wall 20R, a left wall 20L, a rear wall 20B, a front wall (not shown), and a lid portion 22. The lid portion 22 has a right lid 22R and a left lid 22L.

[0037] The box 20 is opened at the top by opening the right lid 22R and the left lid 22L. In this state, the product 12 and the cushioning materials 13 and 15 are placed in the box 20 through the upper opening.

[0038] <Buffer material 13, 15> The buffer materials 13 and 15 are used to absorb shocks caused by drops, vibrations, collisions, etc. The buffer materials 13 and 15 may be made of foam materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the cushioning material 13 is formed in the shape of a box with a bottom and an open top. The cushioning material 15 is formed in the shape of a box that is open at the bottom and closed at the top. The cushioning material 13 supports the lower part of the product 12, including the bottom surface 12D. The cushioning material 15 covers the upper part of the product 12, including the upper surface 12U. As shown in FIG. 2, the cushioning material 15 is stacked on top of the cushioning material 13. The outer peripheral surface and the upper surface of the cushioning material 15 are provided with protrusions 17 that protrude outward. The protrusions 17 come into contact with the inner surface of the box 20.

[0040] The specific configuration of the cushioning material 13 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cushioning material 13 when a movable part 40 (described later) is located at a first position. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view (specifically, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4) of the cushioning material 13 when a movable part 40 (described later) is located at a first position. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cushioning material 13 when a movable part 40 (described later) is located at a second position. FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view (specifically, a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6) of the cushioning material 13 when a movable part 40 (described later) is located at a second position.

[0041] 1 and 4, the cushioning material 13 specifically includes a support member 30, a movable member 40, and a connecting member 50. The support member 30 is a component that supports the product 12 contained in the box 20. The support member 30 specifically includes a bottom support member 30D, a right support member 30R, a left support member 30L, a rear support member 30B, and a front support member 30F. The bottom support member 30D, the right support member 30R, the left support member 30L, the rear support member 30B, and the front support member 30F form the cushioning material 13 in a box shape.

[0042] The bottom support 30D contacts and supports the bottom surface 12D of the product 12. The bottom support 30D is formed in a plate shape with its thickness extending in the vertical direction. The top surface of the bottom support 30D may be formed with projections and depressions to match the shape of the bottom surface 12D.

[0043] The right support body 30R contacts and supports the right surface 12R of the product 12. The right support body 30R is formed in a plate shape with its thickness in the left-right direction. The left surface (i.e., the inner surface) of the right support body 30R may be formed with projections and depressions to match the shape of the right surface 12R.

[0044] The left support 30L is an example of a support portion. The left support 30L contacts and supports the left surface 12L of the product 12. The left support 30L is formed in a plate shape with its thickness in the left-right direction. The right surface (i.e., the inner surface) of the left support 30L may be formed with projections and depressions to match the shape of the left surface 12L.

[0045] The rear support 30B contacts and supports the rear surface 12B of the product 12. The rear support 30B is formed in a plate shape with its thickness in the front-to-rear direction. The front surface (i.e., the inner surface) of the rear support 30B may be formed with projections and depressions to match the shape of the rear surface 12B.

[0046] The front support 30F contacts and supports the front surface 12F of the product 12. The front support 30F is formed in a plate shape with its thickness in the front-to-rear direction. The rear surface (i.e., the inner surface) of the front support 30F may be formed with projections and depressions to match the shape of the front surface 12F.

[0047] The bottom support 30D, the right support 30R, the left support 30L, the rear support 30B, and the front support 30F each have a protrusion 33 that protrudes outward. The protrusion 33 comes into contact with the inner surface of the box 20.

[0048] The movable part 40 is provided on the left support body 30L. Specifically, the movable part 40 is disposed in a front portion of the left support body 30L. This movable part 40 is a component that can move into the recess 14 of the left surface 12L when the left support body 30L supports the left surface 12L. The movable part 40 is movable from a first position to a second position. In other words, the movable part 40 is movable in the left-right direction between the first position and the second position.

[0049] The first position is the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the first position, the movable part 40 is located outside the recess 14. Furthermore, in the first position, the movable part 40 protrudes outward beyond the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L. In other words, in the first position, the outer surface 40X of the movable part 40 is disposed on the left side of the outer surface 30X. The outer surface 30X is the outermost (specifically, leftmost) surface of the left support body 30L. The outer surface 40X is the outermost (specifically, leftmost) surface of the movable part 40.

[0050] The second position is the position shown in Figures 6 and 7. In the second position, the movable part 40 enters the recess 14. In the second position, the movable part 40 does not protrude outward beyond the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L. In other words, in the second position, the outer surface 40X of the movable part 40 is positioned along the outer surface 30X. Specifically, in the second position, the outer surface 40X of the movable part 40 and the outer surface 30X are positioned on the same plane.

[0051] The movable part 40 may be supported by the support 30 (e.g., bottom support 30D) at the second position. The movable part 40 may also be supported by the support 30 (e.g., bottom support 30D) at the first position. Furthermore, the movable part 40 may be positioned by contacting the support 30 (e.g., bottom support 30D) at the second position. That is, the movable part 40 may be limited in its movement to the right by contacting the support 30 (e.g., bottom support 30D) at the second position.

[0052] The movable part 40 is formed in a generally block shape (specifically, a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape). The movable part 40 has an entry part 41 and a contact surface 42. The entry part 41 is a part that enters the recessed part 14 of the product 12 when the movable part 40 is located in the second position. This entry part 41 comes into contact with the inner surface 14D of the recessed part 14 when the movable part 40 is located in the second position.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 3, the contact surface 42 comes into contact with the box 20 when the cushioning material 13 is placed in the box 20, and functions to move the movable part 40 from the first position to the second position. The contact surface 42 is formed on the diagonally lower left side of the movable part 40. The contact surface 42 is an inclined surface facing diagonally lower left. Specifically, the contact surface 42 comes into contact with the ridge portion 24 of the box 20, thereby moving the movable part 40 to the second position.

[0054] The connecting part 50 is a component that connects the left support body 30L and the movable part 40. The connecting part 50 deforms itself to allow the movable part 40 to move into the recess 14. Furthermore, the connecting part 50 also functions as an acting part that applies a force (hereinafter referred to as a moving force) that moves the movable part 40 out of the recess 14. The connecting part 50 is made of the same material as the cushioning material 13 and is formed integrally with the cushioning material 13.

[0055] The connecting portion 50 has a pair of arms 52. The pair of arms 52 connect the front end and rear end of the movable portion 40 to the left support body 30L, respectively. The front end and rear end are examples of one end and the other end in a direction intersecting the movement direction (specifically, the front-to-rear direction). The pair of arms 52 are formed in an arc shape in a plan view. The pair of arms 52 exert a movement force by their own elastic force. As a result, the movable portion 40 is positioned at the first position in an unloaded state where it is not subjected to an external force.

[0056] <Actions according to this embodiment> According to this embodiment, the movable part 40 is movable into the recess 14 of the left surface 12L while the left support body 30L supports the left surface 12L of the product 12. This eliminates the need to attach a separate member to the recess 14 before attaching the cushioning material 13 to the product 12.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the left support body 30L and the movable part 40 are connected by the connecting part 50, which deforms to allow the movable part 40 to move into the recess 14. Therefore, compared to when the cushioning material 13 includes only the left support body 30L and the movable part 40, separation of the movable part 40 from the left support body 30L is suppressed.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 50 has a pair of arms 52 that connect the front end and rear end of the movable portion 40 to the left support body 30L, respectively. Therefore, separation of the movable portion 40 from the left support body 30L is suppressed compared to when the movable portion 40 is connected to the left support body 30L at only one point.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 50 applies a moving force that moves the movable portion 40 out of the recess 14. Therefore, an operation to move the movable portion 40 out of the recess 14 is not required.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the pair of arms 52 exert a moving force by elastic force, which reduces the possibility of the movable part 40 moving out of the recess 14 compared to when the movable part 40 is connected to the left support body 30L at only one point.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the movable part 40 is movable from a first position where it protrudes outward from the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L and is located outside the recess 14, to a second position where it enters the recess 14. Therefore, it is easier to apply an external force that moves the movable part 40 into the recess 14 than when the movable part 40 is always located at a position where it does not protrude outward from the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L.

[0062] According to the present embodiment, the movable part 40 does not protrude outward beyond the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L at the second position. Therefore, the movable part 40 is less likely to be an obstacle at the second position compared to when the movable part 40 protrudes outward beyond the outer surface 30X of the left support body 30L at the second position.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the movable part 40 is formed with a contact surface 42 that comes into contact with the box 20 when the cushioning material 13 is placed in the box 20, and moves the movable part 40 from the first position to the second position. Therefore, an operation to move the movable part 40 into the recess 14 is not required.

[0064] <Modification> In the present embodiment, the connecting part 50 has a pair of arms 52 that connect the front end and rear end of the movable part 40 to the left support body 30L, respectively, but is not limited to this. For example, the connecting part 50 may be configured to connect only one point of the movable part 40 to the left support body 30L.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 50 also functions as an acting portion that applies a moving force to move the movable portion 40 out of the recess 14, but this is not limited to this. Apart from the connecting portion 50, a spring (for example, a compression spring or a tension spring) may be provided in the buffer material 13 as an acting portion.

[0066] In the present embodiment, one movable part 40 is provided on the left support 30L, but multiple movable parts 40 may be provided on the left support 30L in accordance with the number of recesses 14 of the product 12. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the left support 30L, one or multiple movable parts 40 may be provided on any of the right support 30R, rear support 30B, and front support 30F in accordance with the number and positions of the recesses 14 of the product 12. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the movable part 40 provided on the left support 30L, a movable part 40 may be provided on the right support 30R. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the movable part 40 is disposed on the rear side of the right support 30R.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be appropriately combined to form a configuration.

[0068] (Addendum) (((1))) a support portion for supporting the side of the product to be contained in the box; a movable portion provided on the support portion and movable into a recess in the side surface when the support portion supports the side surface; A cushioning material comprising: (((2))) a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the movable portion and that deforms to allow the movable portion to move into the recess; The cushioning material according to (((1))) comprises: (((3))) The connecting portion is The movable portion has a pair of arms that are arc-shaped in a plan view and connect one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the moving direction to the support portion. The cushioning material according to (((2))). (((4))) an action portion that applies a moving force to move the movable portion out of the recess; The cushioning material according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))) comprises: (((5))) The action part is The movable portion has a pair of arms that connect one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the moving direction to the support portion, are formed in an arc shape in a plan view, and apply the moving force by elastic force. The cushioning material according to (((4))). (((6))) The movable part is The support portion is movable from a first position where the support portion projects outward from the outer surface of the support portion and is located outside the recess, to a second position where the support portion projects into the recess. The cushioning material according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))). (((7))) The movable part is In the second position, the outer surface does not protrude outward. The cushioning material according to (((6))). (((8))) a contact surface that comes into contact with the box when the cushioning material is placed in the box that is open at the top and moves the movable part from the first position to the second position, formed on the movable part A cushioning material according to (((6))) or (((7))). (((9))) Products and a box containing the product; The cushioning material according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), wherein the support portion supports a side surface of the product; A package comprising:

[0069] According to the configuration (((1))), it is not necessary to attach a separate member to the recess on the side surface of a product before attaching the cushioning material to the recess. According to the configuration (((2))), the movable part is prevented from separating from the support part, compared to when the cushioning material includes only the support part and the movable part. According to the configuration (((3))), the movable part is prevented from separating from the support part, compared to when the movable part is connected to the support part at only one point. According to the configuration (((4))), it is possible to eliminate the need for an operation to move the movable part out of the recess. According to the configuration (((5))), the movable part is less likely to move out of the recess than when the movable part is connected to the support part at only one point. According to the configuration (((6))), it is easier to apply an external force that moves the movable part into the recess compared to when the movable part is always located in a position that does not protrude outward beyond the outer surface of the support part. According to the configuration (((7))), the movable part is less likely to be an obstacle in the second position compared to when the movable part protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the support part in the second position. According to the configuration (((8))), the operation of moving the movable part into the recessed part becomes unnecessary. According to the configuration (((9))), it is not necessary to attach a separate member to the recess on the side surface of a product before attaching the cushioning material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10. Packaging 12 products 12L Left side (example of side view) 13 Cushioning material 14 Recess 15 Cushioning material 20 boxes 30L Left support (example of support part) 30X outer surface 40 Moving parts 42 Contact surface 50 Connecting part (example of working part) 52 Arm

Claims

1. a support portion for supporting the side of the product to be contained in the box; a movable portion provided on the support portion and movable into a recess in the side surface when the support portion supports the side surface; A cushioning material comprising:

2. a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the movable portion and that deforms to allow the movable portion to move into the recess; The cushioning material according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The connecting portion is The movable portion has a pair of arms that are arc-shaped in a plan view and connect one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the moving direction to the support portion. The cushioning material according to claim 2.

4. an action portion that applies a moving force to move the movable portion out of the recess; The cushioning material according to claim 1 , comprising:

5. The action part is The movable portion has a pair of arms that connect one end and the other end of the movable portion in a direction intersecting the moving direction to the support portion, are formed in an arc shape in a plan view, and apply the moving force by elastic force. The cushioning material according to claim 4.

6. The movable part is The support portion is movable from a first position where the support portion projects outward from the outer surface of the support portion and is located outside the recess, to a second position where the support portion projects into the recess. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

7. The movable part is In the second position, the outer surface does not protrude outward. The cushioning material according to claim 6.

8. a contact surface that comes into contact with the box when the cushioning material is placed in the box that is open at the top and moves the movable part from the first position to the second position, formed on the movable part The cushioning material according to claim 6.

9. Products and a box containing the product; The cushioning material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support portion supports a side surface of the product; A package comprising:

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