Packing materials

Abstract

To provide a packaging material that allows for the easy formation of packaging that prevents the inclusion of foreign objects. [Solution] In a packaging material 10 having a first surface 51 that covers the bottom surface of the packaged item P, second surfaces 52a, 52b that cover one side of the packaged item, third surfaces 54a, 54b that cover the other side of the packaged item, fourth surfaces 53a', 53b' that cover a part of the top surface of the packaged item, and fifth surfaces 55a', 55b' that cover substantially the entire top surface of the packaged item from above the fourth surface, covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided so as to extend outward from the second or third surface, so that no gap is created at the abutting corner of the second and third surfaces when the item is packaged. To facilitate the packaging process, it is preferable that the sides of the covering pieces be inclined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, after manufacturing window frames and other building materials and shipping and transporting them, they are packaged with a packaging material. As the packaging material, a packaging material such as a cardboard box shown in Patent Document 1 is widely used.

[0003] An exploded view of an example of a conventional packaging material 50 is shown in FIG. 14. This packaging material 50 is integrally formed with nine rectangular surfaces 51, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b, 55a and 55b so as to be suitable for packaging a substantially rectangular parallelepiped object to be packaged P (FIG. 16). The surface 51 is a surface on which the object to be packaged P is placed and has a size substantially matching the planar dimensions of the object to be packaged P. The surfaces 52a, 52b and the surfaces 54a, 54b are formed to have dimensions suitable for substantially covering the side surfaces of the object to be packaged P. The length of the short side of the surfaces 55a and 55b is formed to be approximately half the length of the short side of the object to be packaged P (substantially the same as the length of the sides 56a, 56b, 57a, 57b).

[0004] From this unfolded state, the surface 52a and the surface 53a are folded inward at a substantially right angle along the side 56a as one surface, and the surface 52b and the surface 53b are folded inward at a substantially right angle along the side 56b as one surface. Similarly, the surface 54a and the surface 55a are folded inward at a substantially right angle along the side 58a as one surface, and the surface 54b and the surface 55b are folded inward at a substantially right angle along the sides 58b, 59b as one surface. After the four peripheral side surfaces of the object to be packaged P placed on the surface 51 are covered with the surfaces 52a, 52b, 54a, 54b, the surfaces 53a, 53b are folded inward along the sides 57a, 57b respectively, and then the surfaces 55a, 55b are folded inward along the sides 59a, 59b respectively so that the entire surface including the upper surface of the non-packaged object P is covered. Then, a tape 71 is attached along the butting portion between the side 60a of the surface 55a and the side 60b of the surface 55b so that no gap occurs between them, thereby forming a package 70 (FIGS. 14 and 15).

[0005] While the process of folding the unfolded packaging material 50 along the curved edges can be done entirely by hand, an automated packaging device is generally used to efficiently form the packaging body 70 that will be shipped as an industrial product. When using an automatic packaging device, for example, after placing the item to be packaged on the unfolded packaging material 50 set in a predetermined position on the automatic packaging device, the pressing member of the automatic packaging device is lowered and dropped into the space below, and guide members arranged to surround the surface 51 are used to fold surfaces 52a, 53a and surfaces 52b, 53b as one surface and up at approximately right angles along edges 56a, 56b, and surfaces 54a, 55a and surfaces 54b, 55b as one surface and up at right angles along edges 58a, 58b, and then the pressing member is raised and the upper surface guide member of the automatic packaging device is moved inward, so that surfaces 53a, 53b are folded inward from surfaces 52a, 52b along edges 57a, 57b, and further, surfaces 55a, 55b are folded inward from surfaces 54a, 54b along edges 59a, 59b, to cover the surface of the item to be packaged. Subsequently, the product is moved from the automatic packaging device to the roller device, where the edges 60a of surface 55a and 60b of surface 55b are brought together without any gaps. While pressing the surfaces of surfaces 55a and 55b with the rollers, the tape 71 is applied to surfaces 52a and 52b using the roller device to form the packaged body 70. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-076621 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the conventional packaging material 50 described above, the edges 61a of surface 54a and 62a of surface 52a, 62b of surface 52a and 63a of surface 54b, 63b of surface 54b and 64a of surface 52b, and 64b of surface 52b and 61b of surface 54a are butted together to form abutting joints 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d, which cover and protect the four vertical corners of the packaged object placed on surface 51. However, considering the precision defects of the packaging material 50 and / or the packaged object, each edge of the packaging material 50 is generally designed with a slight margin relative to the dimensions of the packaged object. As a result, when packaged, there are slight gaps in the abutting joints 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d, which can allow foreign matter to enter or damage the vertical corners of the packaged object P during transportation. Applying tape to the gaps in the joints would solve this problem, but it would require additional tape application work, reducing the yield.

[0008] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a packaging material that eliminates the problems of the prior art described above and enables smooth packaging operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve these problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a packaging material having a first surface having at least adjacent first and second sides, substantially rectangular second and third surfaces connected to the outside of the first and second sides of the first surface, respectively, a fourth surface connected to the outside of the third side which is the side opposite to the first side of the second surface, and a fifth surface connected to the outside of the fourth side which is the side opposite to the second side of the third surface, and when folded inward along the first to fourth sides from an unfolded state to form a packaging body in which the bottom surface of the packaged item is covered by the first surface, the sides of the packaged item are covered by the second and third surfaces, a part of the top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fourth surface, and the entire top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fifth surface from above the fourth surface, characterized in that at least one covering piece is provided so as to extend outward from the fifth side which is substantially perpendicular to the first and third sides of the second surface.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 of this application is characterized in that, in the packaging material described in claim 1, the covering piece and the opposing edges of the third surface are formed in such a way that they do not touch each other when unfolded.

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 of this application is a packaging material according to claim 2, characterized in that the edge on the third surface side of the covering piece is an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the endpoint on the third surface side of the fifth edge.

[0012] The invention according to claim 4 of this application is characterized in that, in the packaging material described in claim 1, the edge on the fourth side of the covering piece is formed in such a shape that, when packaging, the fourth surface can move even closer to the first surface than the state in which it is parallel to the first surface.

[0013] The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is a packaging material according to claim 4, characterized in that the fourth side edge of the covering piece is an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the fourth side endpoint of the fifth edge.

[0014] The invention according to claim 6 of this application is a packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the fifth side as the base.

[0015] The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is a packaging material having a first surface having at least adjacent first and second sides, substantially rectangular second and third surfaces connected to the outside of the first and second sides of the first surface, respectively, a fourth surface connected to the outside of the third side which is opposite to the first side of the second surface, and a fifth surface connected to the outside of the fourth side which is opposite to the second side of the third surface, and when folded inward along the first to fourth sides from an unfolded state to form a packaging body in which the bottom surface of the packaged item is covered by the first surface, the sides of the packaged item are covered by the second and third surfaces, a part of the top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fourth surface, and the entire top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fifth surface from above the fourth surface, characterized in that at least one covering piece is provided so as to extend outward from a sixth side which is substantially perpendicular to the second and fourth sides of the third surface.

[0016] The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is characterized in that, in the packaging material described in claim 7, the covering piece and the opposing edges of the second surface are formed in such a way that they do not touch each other when unfolded.

[0017] The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is a packaging material according to claim 8, characterized in that the side of the second face of the covering piece is an inclined side that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the second face of the sixth side.

[0018] The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is characterized in that, in the packaging material described in claim 7, the edge of the fifth surface of the covering piece is formed in such a shape that, when packaging, the fourth surface is parallel to the first surface and can move even closer to the first surface.

[0019] The invention according to claim 11 of this application is a packaging material according to claim 10, characterized in that the fifth side of the covering piece is an inclined side that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the fifth side of the sixth side.

[0020] The invention according to claim 12 of this application is a packaging material according to claim 7, characterized in that the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the sixth side as the base.

[0021] The invention according to claim 13 of this application is a packaging material according to either claim 1 or claim 7, characterized in that the edge of the fourth surface on the fifth surface side is formed in such a shape that it does not come into contact with the fifth surface when packaging.

[0022] The invention according to claim 14 of this application is a packaging material according to claim 13, characterized in that the edge of the fourth surface on the fifth surface side is an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the third surface.

[0023] The invention according to claim 15 of this application is a packaging material according to either claim 1 or claim 7, characterized in that the edge of the fifth surface on the fourth surface side is formed in such a shape that it is located inside the third surface when packaged.

[0024] The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is characterized in that, in the packaging material according to claim 15, the side on the fourth side of the fifth side is an inclined side that gradually extends inward from the end point of the fourth side.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention according to claim 1 of the present application, when packaging, the covering piece is not folded inside the third surface, and no gap is generated at the butting corner between the second surface and the third surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering through the gap and to prevent damage to the vertical corners of the packaged object P during transportation or the like. Also, since there is no need to tape the butted part with a gap, the packaging operation can be smoothly performed without complicating the packaging operation, and the yield is not reduced.

[0026] According to the present invention according to claim 2 of the present application, when folding the covering piece inward along the fifth side and then folding the second surface and the fourth surface inward along the first side as one surface during the packaging operation, the side on the third surface side of the covering piece does not contact the third surface. Therefore, it can be smoothly bent. Also, if the bending of the covering piece is insufficient, when folding the second surface and the fourth surface as one surface, the side on the third surface side of the covering piece may contact the third surface. However, thereafter, when further folding the third surface and the fifth surface as one surface and folding inward along the second side, a force acts to fold the covering piece inward. Therefore, the packaging operation can be smoothly performed.

[0027] According to the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, since the side on the third surface side of the covering piece is formed as an inclined side that gradually extends inward from the end point on the third surface side of the fifth side, the design and formation of the covering piece are easy, and the above effects can be surely achieved.

[0028] According to the present invention as described in claim 4 of this application, in the packaging process, after folding the covering piece inward along the fifth edge, the second and fourth surfaces are folded inward along the first edge as a single surface, and when the fourth surface is further folded inward along the third edge, the fourth surface can be folded so that it is not just parallel to the first surface but even closer to the first surface, thereby creating a strong crease. Therefore, even when the pressing force is released, the fourth surface is prevented from lifting up, and the outer edges of the fifth surface can be butted together without any gaps before the tape is applied for packaging.

[0029] According to the present invention as described in claim 5 of this application, the fourth side of the covering piece is formed as an inclined side that gradually moves inward from the fourth side endpoint of the fifth side, making it easy to design and form the covering piece and reliably achieving the above effects.

[0030] According to the present invention as described in claim 6 of this application, the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the fifth side as the base, making it easy to design and form the covering piece, and allowing for smooth bending and / or tape application.

[0031] According to the present invention as described in claim 7 of this application, when packaged, the covering piece is folded inward on the second surface, preventing a gap from forming at the butt corner between the second and third surfaces. This prevents foreign matter from entering through the gap and prevents damage to the vertical corners of the packaged item P during transportation. Furthermore, since there is no need to apply tape to the gap at the butt joint, the packaged work can be carried out smoothly without complicating it, and the yield is not reduced.

[0032] According to the present invention as described in claim 8 of this application, when folding the covering piece inward along the sixth edge during packaging and then folding the third and fifth surfaces together along the second edge as a single surface, the edge of the covering piece on the second surface side does not come into contact with the second surface, allowing for smooth folding. Furthermore, if the covering piece is not folded sufficiently, the edge of the covering piece on the second surface side may come into contact with the second surface when folding the third and fifth surfaces together as a single surface. However, by further folding the second and fourth surfaces together along the first edge as a single surface, a force is applied that attempts to fold the covering piece inward, allowing for smooth packaging.

[0033] According to the invention of claim 9 of the present application, the side of the second face of the covering piece is formed as an inclined side that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the second face of the sixth side, so that the design and formation of the covering piece is easy and the above effects can be reliably achieved.

[0034] According to the present invention as described in claim 10 of this application, when folding the covering piece inward along the sixth edge during the packaging process, the third and fifth surfaces are folded inward along the second edge as a single surface, the second and fourth surfaces are folded inward along the first edge as a single surface, and then the fourth surface is folded inward along the third edge, the fourth surface can be folded so that it is parallel to the first surface (horizontal) and even closer to the first surface, thereby creating a strong crease. Therefore, even when the pressing force is released, the fourth surface is prevented from lifting up, and the outer edges of the fifth surface can be butted together without any gaps before the tape is applied for packaging.

[0035] According to the present invention as described in claim 11 of this application, the fifth side of the covering piece is formed as an inclined side that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the fifth side of the sixth side, making it easy to design and form the covering piece and reliably achieving the above effects.

[0036] According to the present invention as described in claim 12 of this application, the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the sixth side as the base, making it easy to design and form the covering piece, and allowing for smooth bending and / or tape application.

[0037] According to the invention of claim 13 of the present application, when the fourth surface is folded inward along the third edge, the edge of the fourth surface on the fifth surface side does not come into contact with the back surface near the end of the fifth surface, allowing the folding operation to be performed smoothly.

[0038] According to the invention of claim 14 of this application, the edge of the fourth face on the fifth face side is formed as an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the third face, so that the design and formation of the covering piece is easy and the above effects can be reliably achieved.

[0039] According to the invention of claim 15 of the present application, in the packaging, the edge of the fifth surface on the fourth surface side is located inside the third surface. Therefore, even if the length of the packaged item is considerably smaller than the lengths of the second and fourth surfaces of the packaging material, and the second surface is recessed inward so as to be in contact with the packaged item, the tape can be applied without gaps from the fifth surface to the exposed surface on the fourth surface outside the end of the fifth surface, and to at least a part of the second surface, thereby obtaining a robust packaging.

[0040] According to the invention of claim 16 of this application, the edge of the fifth face on the fourth face side is formed as an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the fourth edge, so that the design and formation of the covering piece is easy and the above effect can be reliably achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] This is an unfolded view of a packaging material according to a preferred embodiment (Example 1) of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a package formed using the packaging material shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows cross-sectional views of the packaging body XX (a) and YY (b). [Figure 4] This is a process diagram showing the steps involved in packaging a rectangular object using the packaging material shown in Figure 1 to create the package shown in Figure 2 (the object to be packaged is not shown). [Figure 5]This is a process diagram showing the packaging work following step 3) in Figure 4 in order (the items to be packaged are not shown). [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing that the covering piece does not interfere when performing step 3) in Figure 4. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing that the tape is applied without any gaps when performing step 6) in Figure 5. [Figure 8] This is an exploded view of a packaging material according to another embodiment (Example 3) of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a package formed using the packaging material (the packaged item is not shown). [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing interference when performing step 3) in Figure 4 in an embodiment (Example 2) in which the covering piece is formed in a rectangular shape. [Figure 11] These are XX cross-sectional views (a) and YY cross-sectional views (b) showing that when step 6) in Figure 4 is performed in an embodiment (Example 2) in which the covering piece is formed in a rectangular shape, a gap is created between the surface covering the top surface of the packaged item and the top surface of the unpackaged item. [Figure 12] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing that when tape is applied by performing step 6) in Figure 5 in an embodiment (Example 2) where the side edge of the surface covering the top surface of the packaged item is a non-sloping edge, a gap is created between the surface covering the top surface of the packaged item and the surface covering the side edge of the longitudinal end of the packaged item. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing other examples of the shape of the covering piece. [Figure 14] This is a diagram of a conventional packaging material. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a package formed by packaging an item using the packaging material. [Figure 16] Figure 15 shows cross-sectional views of the packaging body XX (a) and YY (b). [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0042] The material of the packaging material according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is suitable for packaging the items to be packaged, and can be corrugated cardboard, plastic, paper, etc. The items to be packaged are, for example, building materials such as window frames and opening frames, and are not particularly limited as long as they have length and width dimensions that can be accommodated in the packaging material.

[0043] The shape and characteristics of the packaging material according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the figures and with regard to examples.

[0044] Figure 1 shows an unfolded view of a packaging material 10 according to a preferred embodiment (Example 1) of the present invention. To facilitate comparison with conventional packaging materials 50 (Figures 14 to 16), identical or corresponding faces and edges are indicated with the same reference numerals, while faces and edges unique to this packaging material 10 are indicated with new reference numerals (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11a1, 11a2, 11b1, 11b2, 11c1, 11c2, 11d1, 11d2, 13a, 13b). In addition, edges identical to those of the conventional packaging material 50 are indicated with the same reference numerals, while edges that have been modified, such as by making them inclined edges, and faces having modified edges, are indicated by adding an apostrophe "'" to the end of the same reference numeral to indicate that they correspond to faces / edges of the conventional packaging material 50 but have been modified in shape. Figure 2 shows the packaging body 40 formed by packaging the item P using this packaging material 10, and Figures 3(a) and (b) show the XX and YY cross-sectional views of this packaging body 40, respectively.

[0045] One difference between the packaging material 10 of Example 1 and the conventional packaging material 50 is that covering pieces 11a, 11b; 11c, 11d are provided on both sides of surfaces 52a and 52b, respectively, via edges 62a, 62b; 64a, 64b that form fold curves, allowing them to protrude outward. As a result, when the packaged item P is packaged using this packaging material 10, covering pieces 11a and 11d are folded inward into edges 61a and 61b of surface 54a, respectively, and similarly, covering pieces 11b and 11c are folded inward into edges 63a and 63b of surface 54b, respectively. This prevents gaps from forming at the joints 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, as described above for the conventional packaging material 50. Therefore, foreign matter cannot enter the packaged body 40 through these gaps, and the vertical corners of the packaged item P cannot be damaged during transportation. Furthermore, since the above effect can be achieved simply by folding the covering pieces 11a, 11b; 11c, 11d inward during packaging, without the need to apply tape to fill the gaps that occur in the butt joints 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, additional work can be eliminated.

[0046] As is clear from Figure 1, in the packaging material 10 of Example 1, the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are formed in a trapezoidal shape rather than a rectangular shape. More specifically, covering piece 11a has an isosceles trapezoidal shape with inclined edges 11a1 and 11a2 with the side 62a between it and the surface 52a as the base, covering piece 11b has an isosceles trapezoidal shape with inclined edges 11b1 and 11b2 with the side 62b between it and the surface 52a as the base, covering piece 11c has an isosceles trapezoidal shape with inclined edges 11c1 and 11c2 with the side 64a between it and the surface 52b as the base, and covering piece 11d has an isosceles trapezoidal shape with inclined edges 11d1 and 11d2 with the side 64b between it and the surface 52b as the base.

[0047] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, even if the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are formed in a rectangular shape, it is possible to prevent gaps from forming in the abutting portions 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d. This is also one embodiment of the present invention (Example 2), but further advantages can be obtained by forming the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d in a trapezoidal shape having inclined sides 11a1, 11a2; 11b1, 11b2; 11c1, 11c2; 11d1, 11d2, respectively, as in the packaging material 10 of Example 1. This point will be explained in detail in the description of the packaging process below.

[0048] An example of a packaging process in which a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped object P is packaged using the packaging material 10 of Example 1 to form the packaging body 40 shown in Figure 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0049] In step 1), the packaging material 10 in the unfolded state shown in Figure 1 is laid flat in a designated location.

[0050] Next, in step 2), the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are folded upward along the edges 62a, 62b and 64a, 64b between them and surfaces 52a and 52b, respectively, to create a raised surface. When using an automated packaging device, this step is performed automatically or manually, depending on the degree of automation.

[0051] Next, in step 3), surfaces 52a and 53a' and surfaces 52b and 53b' are folded upward along edges 56a and 56b, respectively, to form a single surface. As a result, the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d that were raised in step 2) are directed inward from surfaces 52a and 52b that were raised in step 3).

[0052] The packaged item P is not shown in the illustration, but it is placed on the surface 51 between process 1) and process 2), or between process 2) and process 3).

[0053] Next, in step 4), surfaces 54a and 55a' and surfaces 54b and 55b' are folded upward along edges 58a and 58b as a single surface. This ensures that the four sides of the packaged object P placed on surface 51 are covered by surfaces 52a, 52b, 54a, and 54b. Alternatively, steps 3) and 4) may be performed in reverse order, so that surfaces 54a and 55a' and surfaces 54b and 55b' are folded upward along edges 58a and 58b as a single surface, and then surfaces 52a and 53a' and surfaces 52b and 53b' are folded upward along edges 56a and 56b as a single surface.

[0054] Next, in step 5), surfaces 53a' and 53b' are folded inward along sides 57a and 57b, respectively, to cover a portion of both longitudinal ends of the upper surface of the packaged object P on surface 51.

[0055] Next, in step 6), surfaces 55a' and 55b' are folded inward along edges 59a and 59b, respectively, and placed over surfaces 53a' and 53b' that were folded in step 5), completely covering the top surface of the packaged item P on surface 51. Furthermore, while holding down the abutting portions of edges 60a and 60b of surfaces 55a' and 55b' with rollers in the case of an automatic packaging device, or by hand in the case of manual work, tape 71 is applied over at least a portion of surfaces 52a and 52b (in Example 1, almost the entire surface of surfaces 52a and 52b), completing the packaged body 40 (Figure 2).

[0056] In the packaging material 10 of Example 1, the edges 11a2, 11b2, 11c2, and 11d2 of the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are inclined inward, in other words, they are inclined edges that gradually move away from the edges 61a of surface 54a, 63a of surface 54b, 63b of surface 54b, and 61b of surface 54a, respectively. This facilitates the work in step 4) and is advantageous for completing the packaging work efficiently in a short amount of time. This will be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 10.

[0057] As previously described, a packaging material in which the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are formed in a rectangular shape is also one embodiment of the present invention (Example 2). In this case, if the folding of the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is insufficient in step 2), then when the surfaces 52a and 53a' and 52b and 53b' are folded upward as a single surface in step 3), the lower edges of the covering pieces will be in near contact with the ends of surfaces 54a and 54b. This state is shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 shows a state in which the lower edge 11d2' of the covering piece 11d' (corresponding to the covering piece 11d in the packaging material 10 in Figure 1) (corresponding to the edge 11d2 of the covering piece 11d in the packaging material 10 in Figure 1) is in near contact with the end of surface 54a. In this state, even if you try to fold surfaces 54a and 55a' upward along edge 58a as a single surface in the next step 4), the lower edge 11d2' of the covering piece 11d' interferes, preventing smooth folding. If excessive force is applied, it can deform the covering piece 11d' or surface 54a, creating a gap between them. Figure 10 shows the part related to the covering piece 11d', but it is clear that a similar condition can occur in parts related to other covering pieces.

[0058] In contrast, in Example 1, where the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d have inclined edges 11a2, 11b2, 11c2, and 11d2, even if the folding of the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is insufficient in step 2), when surfaces 52a and 53a' and surfaces 52b and 53b' are folded upward as a single surface in step 3), the lower edges of the covering pieces do not come into contact with the ends of surfaces 54a and 54b, and a certain gap is provided between them. As is clear from the comparison with Figure 10, Figure 6 shows a state in which the lower edge 11d2 of the covering piece 11d does not come into contact with the end of surface 54a, and a gap 12 is provided between them. Therefore, in the next step 4), when attempting to fold surfaces 54a and 55a' upward along edge 58a as a single surface, the lower edge 11d2 of the covering piece 11d does not interfere, allowing for smooth folding. Even if surface 54a comes into contact with the lower edge 11d2 of the covering piece 11d during the process of folding surfaces 54a and 55a' upward along edge 58a as a single surface in step 4), the subsequent inward folding of surfaces 54a and 55a' creates an inward bending force on the covering piece 11d, allowing for smooth packaging. Figure 6 shows the part related to the covering piece 11d, but it is clear that the same applies to the parts related to the other covering pieces 11a, 11b, and 11c.

[0059] The fact that the edges 11a1, 11b1, 11c1, and 11d1 of the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are inclined edges that slope inward (towards the inside of the covering piece) is advantageous in facilitating the work in steps 5) and 6) and in completing the packaging work efficiently in a short amount of time. This will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 11.

[0060] As previously described, a packaging material in which the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are formed in a rectangular shape is also one embodiment of the present invention (Example 2). In this case, when the surfaces 53a' and 53b' are pressed down and folded inward along the edges 57a and 57b in step 5), the surfaces 53a' and 53b' are folded to a nearly horizontal state in which the lower surfaces of the surfaces 53a' and 53b' abut against the edges 11a1', 11b1', 11c1', and 11d1' of the covering piece. However, when the pressing force is released, the repulsive force of the packaging material 10 causes it to try to return to its initial state (unfolded state in Figure 1), so that the surfaces 53a' and 53b' float away from the edges 11a1', 11b1', 11c1', and 11d1' of the covering piece (see Figure 11). In step 6), when pressing down on surfaces 55a' and 55b' and folding them inward along edges 59a and 59b, they will overlap with surfaces 53a' and 53b' which are in a floating state, so surfaces 55a' and 55b' will also be in a floating state. In this state, even if you try to apply tape 71 while pressing down from above, it will be impossible to butt edges 50a and 60b of surfaces 55a' and 55b' together without any gaps and firmly apply tape 71.

[0061] In contrast, in Embodiment 1, where the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d have inclined edges 11a1, 11b1, 11c1, and 11d1, when the surfaces 53a' and 53b' are folded inward along the edges 57a and 57b respectively in step 5), the surfaces 53a' and 53b' can be folded to a state where they are inclined at an angle greater than horizontal until they abut against the upper inclined edges 11a1, 11b1, 11c1, and 11d1 of the covering piece (Figure 3). Therefore, when surfaces 55a' and 55b' are folded inward along edges 59a and 59b in step 6), a stronger crease can be created, and even when the pressing force is released, the surfaces 53a', 53b' and surfaces 55a', 55b' can be prevented from lifting up, so that the edges 60a and 60b of surfaces 55a' and 55b' can be butted together without any gaps and the tape 71 can be firmly attached.

[0062] Furthermore, the packaging material 10 of Example 1 differs from the conventional packaging material 50 in that the surfaces 53a', 53b' are formed in a tapered shape as they move away from the edges 57a, 57b, or in other words, the gaps between the opposing edges 66a', 66b'; 68a', 68b' of surfaces 53a', 53b' are formed as inclined edges that gradually decrease towards the tip. This difference allows for smooth folding when the surfaces 53a', 53b' are folded inward along the edges 57a, 57b in step 5), without the inclined edges 66a', 66b'; 68a', 68b' of surfaces 53a', 53b' coming into contact with the back surface near the end of surfaces 55a', 55b'.

[0063] Furthermore, in the packaging material 10 of Example 1, the surfaces 55a', 55b' are formed in a tapered shape as they move away from the edges 59a, 59b. In other words, the surfaces 55a', 55b' are formed as inclined edges where the spacing between opposing edges 65a', 65b'; 67a', 67b' gradually decreases towards the tip (edges 60a, 60b). As a result, when the surfaces 55a', 55b' are bent inward along the edges 59a, 59b in step 6) and the edges 60a, 60b are brought together, the surfaces 53a', 53b' are exposed at both ends of the joint in a triangular shape with edges 57a, 57b as the base (exposed surfaces 13a, 13b in Figure 2).

[0064] If the length of the packaged object P is considerably smaller than the length of the packaging material 10 (lengths of sides 58a, 58b; 59a, 59b), then surfaces 52a, 52b will tilt inward so as to contact the packaged object. If, as in the conventional technology, the sides 65a, 65b; 67a, 67b of surfaces 55a, 55b are non-sloping sides 65a, 65b; 67a, 67b that extend in a straight line with sides 56a, 61a, 63a; sides 56b, 61b, 63b (see Figure 14), then the sides 57a, 57b of surfaces 52a, 52b will extend inside the sides 61a, 61b; 63a, 63b of surfaces 54a, 54b, creating a gap 73 when the tape 71 is applied (Figure 12), making the tape 71 more likely to peel off. In contrast, according to Embodiment 1, in which the edges 65a', 65b'; 67a', 67b' of surfaces 55a', 55b' are inclined edges, even if surfaces 52a, 52b (edges 57a, 57b) are inclined and curve inward so as to contact the packaged object P, some of them do not curve inward from surfaces 55a', 55b' (edges 65a', 65b'; 67a', 67b'), and a certain area of ​​exposed surfaces 13a, 13b are secured on the outside of the abutting joint where the edges 60a, 60b of surfaces 55a', 55b' meet, so that the tape 71 can be applied without gaps from the abutting joint to the exposed surfaces 13a, 13b and at least a part of surfaces 52a, 52b, and a robust package 40 can be obtained (Figure 7).

[0065] The packaging material 10 of Example 1 can also be modified and implemented as shown in the embodiment (Example 3) in Figure 8. The packaging material 10A of Example 3 omits some of the 13 faces of the packaging material 10 of Example 1 and is composed of six faces 51, 52a, 53a', 54a, 55a' and 11a (covering piece). The six faces that make up the packaging material 10A of Example 3 correspond to the faces 51, 52a, 53a', 54a, 55a' and 11a (covering piece) of the packaging material 10 of Example 1, but one side of face 53a' is an inclined side 66a', similar to Example 1, while the other side is a non-inclined side 66b that extends in a straight line with sides 58b and 62b. Similarly, one side of face 55a' is an inclined side 65a', similar to Example 1, but the other side is a non-inclined side 65b that extends in a straight line with 56b and 61b.

[0066] Figure 9 shows a package 40A using the package material 10A of Example 3. The package material 10A of Example 3 is suitable for forming a simple package 40A. It is a package in which two orthogonal sides of the packaged object (not shown) placed on surface 51 are covered with surfaces 52a and 54a, one longitudinal end of the top surface is covered with surface 53a', and the entire longitudinal surface of the top surface is covered with surface 55a', with the other two sides being open. The work process for packaging the packaged object with the package 40A using the package material 10A of Example 3 may be the same as in Example 1, but since two sides of the package 40A are open, after creating the package 40A by folding each surface in the same way as in Example 1, the packaged object can be inserted and housed through the open surface. Tape is applied to the two open sides of the package 40A, or these two sides are covered with an L-shaped cover material to prevent the housed object from falling out.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to examples, the present invention can be implemented in a wide variety of ways by modifying or changing it within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0068] For example, in the packaging material 10 of Example 1, the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are provided so as to protrude outward from the edges 62a, 62b; 64a, 64b of the surfaces 52a, 52b (Figure 1), and in the packaging material 10A of Example 3, the covering piece 11a is provided so as to protrude outward from the edge 62a of the surface 52a (Figure 8). However, since the covering pieces are intended to prevent gaps from forming in the abutting portions 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d that cover the side corners of the packaged object P when assembled to the packaging body 40, 40A (Figure 2), instead of providing them on surfaces 52a, 52b, in Example 1 they may be provided so as to protrude outward from the edges 61a, 61b; 63a, 63b of the surfaces 54a, 54b, and in Example 3 they may be provided so as to protrude outward from the edge 61a of the surface 54a.

[0069] In Example 1, if the covering pieces are provided so as to extend outward from the edges 61a, 61b; 63a, 63b of surfaces 54a, 54b, then some of the work processes (steps 2) to 3)) described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 are modified as follows. Specifically, in step 1), after laying the unfolded packaging material 10 in Figure 1 flat in a predetermined location, the covering pieces are folded upward along the edges 61a, 61b; 63a, 63b, respectively, and then surfaces 54a and 55a' and surfaces 54b and 55b' are folded upward along the edges 58a, 58b as a single surface, and then surfaces 52a and 53a' and surfaces 52b and 53b' are folded upward along the edges 56a, 56b as a single surface. This results in a state that is almost the same as that shown in step 4) of Figure 5 (the folding direction of the covering piece is different), so by then performing steps 5) and 6) in the same manner, a package similar to that in Figure 2 can be obtained.

[0070] Furthermore, in Example 1, the covering pieces 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are shown as having an isosceles trapezoidal shape with sides 62a, 62b, 64a, and 64b between them and faces 52a, 52b as the base, and inclined sides 11a1, 11a2; 11b1, 11b2; 11c1, 11c2; 11d1, 11d2. However, this is merely one example of a suitable shape for a covering piece. For example, the covering piece shape may also be an isosceles trapezoidal shape as shown in Figures 13(a) and (b), a shape in which the hypotenuse of the trapezoidal shape is replaced with a circular or elliptical arc as shown in Figure 13(c), a triangular shape as shown in Figure 13(d), or a shape in which both ends of the base are connected by a circular or elliptical arc as shown in Figure 13(e). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 10,10A Packaging materials 11a,11b,11c,11d Covering piece 11a1,11b1,11c1,11d1 Outer sloping edges of the covering piece 11a2,11b2,11c2,11d2 Inner sloping edges of the covering piece 12 gaps 13a,13b Exposed surface 40,40A Packaging 51. The surface on which the packaged item is placed (first surface) 52a, 52b Surfaces covering the shorter side of the packaged item (second surface) 54a, 54b The surface (third surface) that covers the longitudinal side of the packaged item. 53a', 53b' Surfaces that cover both longitudinal ends of the top surface of the packaged item (fourth surface) 55a', 55b': The surface that covers the entire top surface of the packaged item (fifth surface) 56a, 56b The edges (first edge) in the shorter direction of the first face 58a, 58b Longitudinal edges of the first face (second edges) 57a, 57b Edges that form the boundary between the second and fourth faces (third edge) 59a, 59b Edges that form the boundary between the third and fifth faces (fourth edge) 65a', 65b'; 67a', 67b' Inclined edge of the fifth face 66a',66b';68a',68b' Inclined edges of the fourth face 71 Tape

Claims

1. A packaging material having a first surface having at least adjacent first and second sides, substantially rectangular second and third surfaces connected to the outside of the first and second sides of the first surface, respectively, a fourth surface connected to the outside of the third side which is opposite to the first side of the second surface, and a fifth surface connected to the outside of the fourth side which is opposite to the second side of the third surface, wherein when folded inward along the first to fourth sides from an unfolded state to form a packaging body in which the bottom surface of the packaged item is covered by the first surface, the sides of the packaged item are covered by the second and third surfaces, a part of the top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fourth surface, and the entire top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fifth surface from above the fourth surface, wherein at least one covering piece is provided so as to extend outward from the fifth side which is substantially perpendicular to the first and third sides of the second surface.

2. The packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the unfolded state, the covering piece and the opposing edges of the third surface do not touch each other.

3. The packaging material according to claim 2, characterized in that the edge on the third face side of the covering piece is an inclined edge that gradually inwards from the endpoint on the third face side of the fifth edge.

4. The packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the covering piece on the fourth side is formed in a shape that allows the fourth side to move closer to the first side than the state in which the fourth side is parallel to the first side when packaging.

5. The packaging material according to claim 4, characterized in that the fourth side edge of the covering piece is an inclined edge that gradually slopes inward from the fourth side endpoint of the fifth edge.

6. The packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the fifth side as the base.

7. A packaging material having a first surface having at least adjacent first and second sides, substantially rectangular second and third surfaces connected to the outside of the first and second sides of the first surface, respectively, a fourth surface connected to the outside of the third side which is opposite to the first side of the second surface, and a fifth surface connected to the outside of the fourth side which is opposite to the second side of the third surface, wherein when folded inward along the first to fourth sides from an unfolded state to form a package, the bottom surface of the packaged item is covered by the first surface, the sides of the packaged item are covered by the second and third surfaces, a part of the top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fourth surface, and the entire top surface of the packaged item is covered by the fifth surface from above the fourth surface, wherein at least one covering piece is provided so as to extend outward from a sixth side which is substantially perpendicular to the second and fourth sides of the third surface.

8. The packaging material according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the unfolded state, the covering piece and the opposing edges of the second surface do not touch each other.

9. The packaging material according to claim 8, characterized in that the side of the second face of the covering piece is an inclined side that gradually inwards from the endpoint of the second face of the sixth side.

10. The packaging material according to claim 7, characterized in that the edge of the covering piece on the fifth side is formed in such a shape that, when packaging, the fourth surface can move closer to the first surface than the state in which the fourth surface is parallel to the first surface.

11. The packaging material according to claim 10, characterized in that the fifth side edge of the covering piece is an inclined edge that gradually slopes inward from the fifth side endpoint of the sixth edge.

12. The packaging material according to claim 7, characterized in that the covering piece is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the sixth side as the base.

13. The packaging material according to claim 1 or claim 7, characterized in that the edge of the fourth surface on the fifth surface side is formed in a shape that does not come into contact with the fifth surface when packaging.

14. The packaging material according to claim 13, characterized in that the edge of the fourth face on the fifth face side is an inclined edge that gradually slopes inward from the endpoint of the third face.

15. The packaging material according to claim 1 or claim 7, characterized in that the edge of the fifth surface on the fourth surface side is formed in a shape that is located inside the third surface when packaged.

16. The packaging material according to claim 15, characterized in that the edge of the fifth face on the fourth face side is an inclined edge that gradually moves inward from the endpoint of the fourth edge.

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