Buffer

Abstract

To provide a cushioning material that is easy to assemble and disassemble, and requires minimal storage space. [Solution] The buffer body 10 comprises one or more main buffer members 20 and one or more corresponding sub-buffer members 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D for each of the main buffer members 20. The main buffer member 20 comprises a main opening 30 that penetrates the main buffer member 20 and a receiving portion 22 corresponding to the number of sub-buffer members 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D. The sub-buffer members 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D each have a column portion 41 that is received by the receiving portion 22 and can be housed in the main opening 30.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a buffer.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a connecting and assembling type buffer having a structure in which a main buffer member and a sub-buffer member are connected. In the connecting and assembling type buffer described in Patent Document 1, the main buffer member and the sub-buffer member are each folded up from a single cardboard.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the connecting and assembling type buffer described in Patent Document 1, the main buffer member and the sub-buffer member have complex shapes. Therefore, it takes a significant amount of time and effort for the user to fold up each of the main buffer member and the sub-buffer member from a single cardboard. Also, it takes a significant amount of time and effort to disassemble each of the main buffer member and the sub-buffer member and return them to a single cardboard. On the other hand, if each of the folded main buffer member and sub-buffer member remains undissembled, the connecting and assembling type buffer as a whole will occupy a large volume, and the space required for storage will increase.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a buffer that is easy to assemble and disassemble and requires less storage space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an example of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a main buffer member and one or more sub-buffer members. The main buffer member comprises a main opening that penetrates the main buffer member and a receiving portion corresponding to the number of sub-buffer members. The sub-buffer members comprises a column portion that is received in the receiving portion and is housed in the main opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one example of an embodiment of the present invention, the buffer is easy to assemble and disassemble, and requires less space for storage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an example of a buffer. [Figure 2] This diagram shows one of the sub-cushioning members removed from the main opening of the main cushioning member. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating how the column portion of the secondary buffer member is received in each of the receiving parts. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the state in which the column portion of the secondary buffer member is received by the receiving part. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an item to be packaged with multiple cushioning materials attached and then placed in a packaging box. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the storage conditions of multiple buffer materials. [Figure 8] A plan view showing another example of a buffer. [Figure 9] A plan view showing another example of the secondary cushioning member being housed in the main opening of the main cushioning member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Referring to the drawings, an example of a buffer body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a buffer body 10. The buffer body 10 comprises a main buffer member 20 and one or more sub-buffer members 33. In Figure 1, the four sub-buffer members 33, namely the first sub-buffer member 31A, the second sub-buffer member 31B, the third sub-buffer member 32A, and the fourth sub-buffer member 32B, correspond to the main buffer member 20.

[0010] The cushioning element 10 is placed in the gap between the object to be packaged (e.g., an industrial computer) and the packaging box when the object is packaged inside the box, reducing the shock and vibration transmitted to the object. Although only one cushioning element 10 is shown in Figure 1, two or more cushioning elements 10 may be used for a single object to be packaged.

[0011] The buffer 10 is preferably made of a lightweight and elastic material such as expanded polystyrene or urethane. If the buffer 10 is made of a lightweight and elastic material, high impact resistance and vibration resistance can be obtained.

[0012] The main cushioning member 20 has a shape in which a main opening 30 is provided in the center of a flat plate-shaped member. Hereinafter, the main cushioning member 20 is shaped to extend in a first horizontal direction X and a second horizontal direction Y that intersect each other, and the thickness direction of the main cushioning member 20 is oriented along the height direction Z (a direction that intersects both the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y).

[0013] The main cushioning member 20 in Figure 1 has a rectangular shape as a whole, with sides aligned along a first horizontal direction X and sides aligned along a second horizontal direction, the sides aligned along the first horizontal direction X being longer. The corners of the outer circumference of the main cushioning member 20 are chamfered to form the chamfered portion 11 of the main cushioning member.

[0014] The main buffer member 20 includes a main opening 30 that penetrates the main buffer member 20. The main opening 30 in FIG. 1 penetrates the main buffer member 20 in the height direction Z and is a rectangular through-hole having the same depth as the thickness dimension D of the main buffer member 20. Considering the main opening 30, the main buffer member 20 can also be regarded as having a frame-like shape surrounding the main opening 30.

[0015] For the sake of explanation in this embodiment, the main buffer member 20 is described as being rectangular as a whole. However, the main buffer member 20 may have any shape that surrounds the main opening 30, such as a polygon like a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc. Also, the main buffer member 20 may have a shape including a curved portion such as a circle or an ellipse.

[0016] The main buffer member 20 includes receiving portions 22 corresponding to the number of sub-buffer members 33. In FIG. 1, four receiving portions 22 are provided so as to surround the main opening 30 corresponding to the four sub-buffer members 33. The receiving portion 22 in FIG. 1 is a through-hole smaller than the main opening 30 that penetrates the main buffer member 20 in the height direction Z. All the receiving portions 22 in FIG. 1 have the same rectangular shape, with the dimension of one side of the rectangle being the same as the thickness dimension D of the main buffer member 20 and the dimension of the other side being the same as the column width dimension W of the column portion 41 described later.

[0017] The sub-cushion members 33 (four in Figure 1: the first sub-cushion member 31A, the second sub-cushion member 31B, the third sub-cushion member 32A, and the fourth sub-cushion member 32B) are each equipped with a column portion 41 that is received by the aforementioned receiving portion 22, and can be housed in the main opening 30. Figure 1 shows the state in which all of the first sub-cushion members 31A, the second sub-cushion member 31B, the third sub-cushion member 32A, and the fourth sub-cushion member 32B are housed in the main opening 30 (housed state). As shown in Figure 1, when all of the sub-cushion members 33 are housed in the main opening 30, none of the first sub-cushion member 31A, the second sub-cushion member 31B, the third sub-cushion member 32A, or the fourth sub-cushion member 32B protrude from the main opening 30. In other words, all of the sub-cushion members 33 are contained within the main opening 30 from any viewpoint (viewed from any direction in the first horizontal direction X, the second horizontal direction Y, or the height direction Z). In Figure 1, the entire top surface of the sub-cushion member 33, which extends within the plane formed by the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y, is exposed from above the main opening 30. This top surface does not protrude above the main cushioning member 20 in the height direction Z, and is a flat surface. Although not shown in Figure 1, the entire bottom surface of the sub-cushion member 33, which extends within the plane formed by the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y, is also exposed from below the main opening 30 in the height direction Z, and this bottom surface is also a flat surface.

[0018] It is preferable that two or more sub-cushioning members 33 are provided, and further, it is preferable that two sub-cushioning members 33 can be combined to form composite sub-cushioning members 31 and 32. In Figure 1, the first sub-cushioning member 31A and the second sub-cushioning member 31B are combined to form the first composite sub-cushioning member 31, and the third sub-cushioning member 32A and the fourth sub-cushioning member 32B are combined to form the second composite sub-cushioning member 32.

[0019] The two sub-buffer members 33 combined as the composite sub-buffer members 31 and 32 preferably have complementary shapes to each other. Here, the complementary shape means, for example, a shape in which a concave portion appearing on the outer periphery of one sub-buffer member 33 is filled by a convex portion appearing on the outer periphery of the other sub-buffer member 33. More generally, it may be a shape in which there is a gap where the outer peripheral walls face each other on the outer periphery of one sub-buffer member 33, and the other sub-buffer member 33 fills the gap.

[0020] Regarding the combination of the first sub-buffer member 31A and the second sub-buffer member 31B to form the first composite sub-buffer member 31, reference will be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 for explanation. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which one of the sub-buffer members 33 (the first sub-buffer member 31A) is taken out from the main opening 30 of the main buffer member 20.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the first sub-buffer member 31A housed in the main opening 30 can move away from the other sub-buffer members 33 (the second sub-buffer member 31B, the third sub-buffer member 32A, the fourth sub-buffer member 32B) in the height direction Z (the direction in which the main opening 30 penetrates the main buffer member 20) and escape from the main opening 30. Each of the other sub-buffer members 33 as well as the first sub-buffer member 31A can also escape from (be taken out of) the main opening 30 by moving in the height direction Z.

[0022] Here, when one of the two sub-buffer members 33 in the combined state as the composite sub-buffer members 31 and 32 moves in the first horizontal direction X or the second horizontal direction Y (directions in the plane in which the main buffer member 20 extends), the other sub-buffer member 33 also moves together. However, when one sub-buffer member 33 moves in the height direction Z, it is possible to escape from the main opening 30 without moving the other sub-buffer member 33.

[0023] Taking the first composite sub-cushion member 31 in Figures 1 and 2 as an example, the outer circumference of both the first sub-cushion member 31A and the second sub-cushion member 31B has a column portion 41 that protrudes from the surroundings and a column-fitting portion 51 that is recessed from the surroundings. The column portion 41 of one sub-cushion member 33 fits into the column-fitting portion 51 of the other sub-cushion member 33. In Figure 1, the column portion 41 of the first sub-cushion member 31A fits into the column-fitting portion 51 of the second sub-cushion member 31B, and the column portion 41 of the second sub-cushion member 31B fits into the column-fitting portion 51 of the first sub-cushion member 31A. Thus, each of the two sub-cushion members 33 (first sub-cushion member 31A, second sub-cushion member 31B) that are combined as a composite sub-cushion member 31 is provided with a column-fitting portion 51 that fits into the column portion 41. The two sub-cushion members 33 are then combined as a composite sub-cushion member 31, 32 by fitting the column portion 41 of one sub-cushion member 33 into the column-fitting portion 51 of the other sub-cushion member 33.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the column portion 41 protrudes from its surroundings on the outer circumference of the first sub-buffer member 31A (sub-buffer member 33), so that the base (root) of the column portion 41 is divided into two parts. Of the two base portions, the one further away from the column joint portion 51 is called the outer base portion 46, and the one closer to the column joint portion 51 is called the inner base portion 47. Furthermore, the portion located between the inner base portion 47 and the column joint portion 51 is called the inner buffer portion 49.

[0025] In Figure 2, the outer base 46, inner base 47, and inner buffer portion 49 are aligned in the first horizontal direction X. The portion that forms a surface extending from the end of the outer base 46 in the direction of alignment (first horizontal direction X) in the direction intersecting the alignment direction (first horizontal direction X) (second horizontal direction Y) is called the back portion 43. The portion that forms a surface (a surface extending in the first horizontal direction X) that is separated from the outer base 46, inner base 47, and column joint portion 51 in the direction of extension of the back portion 43 (second horizontal direction Y) is called the top portion 44. The back portion 43 and the top portion 44 are both flat surfaces, but the corner connecting the back portion 43 and the top portion 44 is chamfered to form the chamfered portion 45 of the sub-buffer member.

[0026] As described above, the sub-cushion member 33 of this embodiment has a shape enclosed by a back portion 43, a sub-cushion member chamfered portion 45, a top portion 44, an inner cushion portion 49, a column fitting portion 51, an inner base portion 47, a column portion 41, and an outer base portion 46.

[0027] Each part of the sub-cushioning member 33, when stored, contacts the inner surface of the main opening 30 or another sub-cushioning member 33. Taking the first sub-cushioning member 31A as an example, the back portion 43 and the top portion 44 contact the inner surface of the main opening 30. The back portion 43 contacts the side in the second horizontal direction Y of the inner surface of the main opening 30, and the top portion 44 contacts the side in the first horizontal direction X. The chamfered portion 45 of the sub-cushioning member is kept at a distance from the inner surface of the main opening 30. The inner cushioning portion 49 of the first sub-cushioning member 31A contacts the outer base portion 46 of the second sub-cushioning member 31B. The column-fitting portion 51 of the first sub-cushioning member 31A fits with the column portion 41 of the second sub-cushioning member 31B. The inner base portion 47 of the first sub-cushioning member 31A contacts the inner base portion 47 of the second sub-cushioning member 31B. The column portion 41 of the first sub-cushion member 31A fits into the column-fitting portion 51 of the second sub-cushion member 31B. The outer base portion 46 of the first sub-cushion member 31A contacts the inner cushion portion 49 of the second sub-cushion member 31B. Here, it is preferable that the first sub-cushion member 31A and the second sub-cushion member 31B have the same shape, and that the dimensions of the contact surfaces between the outer base portion 46 and the inner cushion portion 49 are the same.

[0028] Furthermore, in Figure 2, a fall prevention projection 42 is provided at the tip of the column portion 41 (here, the end in the second horizontal direction Y), and a projection-fitting portion 52 is provided at the base of the column-fitting portion 51 (here, the end in the second horizontal direction Y). The fall prevention projection 42 and the projection-fitting portion 52 are provided on each of the two sub-cushion members 33 that make up the composite sub-cushion member 31, and the fall prevention projection 42 of one sub-cushion member 33 is formed to fit into the projection-fitting portion 52 of the other sub-cushion member 33.

[0029] The anti-detachment projection 42 has dimensions in at least one direction (in this case, the first horizontal direction X) that are larger than the dimensions of the column portion 41 in that direction (column width dimension W). In Figures 1 and 2, the anti-detachment projection 42 extends outwards from the column portion 41 on both sides in the first horizontal direction X by ΔW, which is larger than the column width dimension W. Therefore, the dimensions of the anti-detachment projection 42 in the first horizontal direction X are W+2ΔW. Similarly, the projection engagement portion 52 that fits with the anti-detachment projection 42 also has dimensions (specifically W+2ΔW) that are larger than the width dimension (column width dimension W) of the column engagement portion 51.

[0030] As mentioned above, in Figure 1, the receiving portion 22 has sides of the same dimension as the column width W of the column portion 41. Therefore, the column portion 41 is provided with a fall prevention projection 42 that is larger than the receiving portion 22 in at least one direction (here, W + 2ΔW).

[0031] In the first horizontal direction X, the width dimension of the anti-detachment projection 42 is larger than the width dimension of the column portion 41 and the column interlocking portion 51. Therefore, the anti-detachment projection 42 of the first sub-cushion member 31A, which fits with the projection interlocking portion 52 of the second sub-cushion member 31B, is positioned to bite into the second sub-cushion member 31B. Consequently, when the first sub-cushion member 31A, combined with the second sub-cushion member 31B, moves in the first horizontal direction X or the second horizontal direction Y, the second sub-cushion member 31B, into which the anti-detachment projection 42 is bitten, also moves.

[0032] However, as can be seen from the first sub-cushion member 31A and the second sub-cushion member 31B shown in Figure 2, the sub-cushion member 33 has a constant shape in the height direction Z (the thickness direction of the main cushioning member 20). That is, the sub-cushion member 33 has a columnar shape in which the top surface exposed above the main opening 30 and the bottom surface exposed below it have the same shape in the height direction Z, and the top surface and the bottom surface are connected along the height direction Z. Therefore, the fall prevention projection 42 does not bite into the other sub-cushion members 33 in the height direction Z. For this reason, when the first sub-cushion member 31A moves in the height direction Z, it can escape from the main opening 30 without interfering with the other sub-cushion members 33.

[0033] Furthermore, Figure 2 shows the state in which the sub-cushion members 33 other than the first sub-cushion member 31A are housed within the main opening 30 (housed state). Here, the housed state refers to the state in which the thickness direction of each sub-cushion member 33 is aligned with the thickness direction of the main cushioning member 20 and arranged within the main opening 30. In the housed state, it is preferable that the outer circumference of the sub-cushion members 33 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the main opening 30. In this state, the first sub-cushion member 31A cannot be housed within the main opening 30 unless the column portion 41 of the first sub-cushion member 31A is fitted into the column fitting portion 51 of the second sub-cushion member 31B to form the first composite sub-cushion member 31. In other words, unless two sub-cushion members 33 are combined as composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32, all sub-cushion members 33 cannot be housed within the main opening 30. Specifically, because the column portion 41 protrudes from the surrounding area on the outer circumference of the first sub-cushion member 31A, in any orientation other than when the column portion 41 is fitted into the column-fitting portion 51 of the second sub-cushion member 31B, the column portion 41 interferes with the other sub-cushion members 33, and therefore the first sub-cushion member 31A cannot enter the area remaining within the main opening 30. In this way, in this embodiment, two sub-cushion members 33 are combined as composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32, so that all of the sub-cushion members 33 (first sub-cushion member 31A, second sub-cushion member 31B, third sub-cushion member 32A, and fourth sub-cushion member 32B) can be housed in the main opening 30.

[0034] Here, if the buffer 10 is made of an elastic material, when all the sub-buffer members 33 are housed in the main opening 30, the sub-buffer members 33 are pressed from the inside against the inner circumferential wall of the main opening 30 by the restoring force, receiving frictional force, and the sub-buffer members 33 are less likely to fall out of the main opening 30 naturally. Since the sub-buffer members 33 are less likely to fall out of the main opening 30 naturally, the main buffer 20 and all the sub-buffer members 33 can be transported together, resulting in a buffer 10 that is easier to handle.

[0035] In order for all of the sub-cushioning members 33 to be shaped to fit into the main opening 30, it is preferable that the sub-cushioning members 33 are cut out from the main cushioning member 20. That is, the portion of the flat plate-shaped main cushioning member 20 that will become the main opening 30 is cut out, and the cut-out member is further cut into the shape of each sub-cushioning member 33. In this way, by cutting out the sub-cushioning members 33 from the main cushioning member 20, the main opening 30 of the main cushioning member 20 is formed, and the cushioning body 10 comprising the main cushioning member 20 and one or more sub-cushioning members 33 is formed without wasting any material.

[0036] When the sub-cushion member 33 is cut out from the main opening 30, in an unused cushioning body 10, the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33 are not completely separated, and a separation portion 38 connecting the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33 remains, as shown in Figure 1. The separation portion 38 is a part that can be easily cut, such as a perforation, and can be cut, for example, by a worker pressing the sub-cushion member 33 in the height direction Z. In this way, if the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33 are connected by an easily cut separation portion 38, the cushioning body 10 can be transported as a single unit without the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33 being separated if it remains unused. When the cushioning body 10 is to be used, a worker can easily separate the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33. Furthermore, in an unused cushioning body 10, if multiple sub-cushion members 33 are also connected to each other by easily cut separation portions 38, it becomes easier to separate the sub-cushion members 33 from each other.

[0037] Each of the sub-cushioning members 33 removed from the main opening 30 can be attached to each of the receiving portions 22 of the main cushioning member 20. Specifically, the sub-cushioning member 33 is attached to the main cushioning member 20 by the receiving portion 22 of the column portion 41 of the sub-cushioning member 33.

[0038] Figure 3 illustrates how the column portion 41 of the sub-cushion member 33 is received in each of the receiving portions 22. As shown in Figure 3, the sub-cushion member 33 removed (extracted) from the main opening 30 is positioned with the tip of the column portion 41 (column tip 48) facing the height direction Z (assembled position). Immediately after being removed from the main opening 30, the sub-cushion member 33 is in a position (storage position) with the tip of the column portion 41 (column tip 48) facing the second horizontal direction Y, as shown in Figure 2. The sub-cushion member 33 transitions from the storage position in Figure 2 to the assembly position in Figure 3 by rotating around the first horizontal direction X.

[0039] Once the sub-cushion member 33 is in the assembled position, it is rotated around the height Z direction as needed so that the column portion 41 is received by the receiving portion 22. Specifically, the sub-cushion member 33 is oriented so that the thickness direction of the sub-cushion member 33 is in the same direction as the side of the receiving portion 22 that has the same dimension as the thickness D. In this orientation, the direction of the column width W of the column portion 41 of the sub-cushion member 33 is in the same direction as the side of the receiving portion 22 that has the same dimension as the column width W. Also, once the sub-cushion member 33 is in the assembled position, the column fitting portion 51 is positioned above the main opening 30.

[0040] In this state, when the tip 48 of the column is inserted into the receiving portion 22, the column 41 is received by the receiving portion 22 and the sub-cushioning member 33 is attached to the main cushioning member 20. If the cushioning body 10 is made of an elastic material such as expanded polystyrene or urethane, even if the dimensions of the anti-detachment projection 42 are larger than the receiving portion 22, when the tip 48 of the column is inserted into the receiving portion 22, the anti-detachment projection 42 deforms along the inner surface of the receiving portion 22. As a result, the column 41 can enter the interior of the receiving portion 22. When the tip 48 of the column passes through the receiving portion 22, the anti-detachment projection 42 returns to its original shape and becomes larger than the receiving portion 22, and the anti-detachment projection 42 catches on the edge of the receiving portion 22 on the lower surface of the main cushioning member 20.

[0041] Here, it is preferable that each of the sub-cushioning members 33 has the same shape. If all the sub-cushioning members 33 have the same shape, the correspondence between the sub-cushioning members 33 and the receiving portion 22 is not fixed to one way. That is, the column portion 41 of any sub-cushioning member 33 can be received by any receiving portion 22.

[0042] If the column portion 41 of any sub-cushioning member 33 can be received by any receiving portion 22, then the worker handling the buffer body 10 does not need to consider which sub-cushioning member 33 should be placed in which receiving portion 22, and the assembly of the buffer body 10 becomes simpler.

[0043] Figure 4 shows the state in which the column portion 41 of the sub-cushion member 33 is received by the receiving portion 22. This state in which the sub-cushion member 33 is attached to the main cushioning member 20 is called the assembled state. In the assembled state, the back portion 43 of the sub-cushion member 33 faces outward relative to the main cushioning member 20. Also, the top portion 44 of the sub-cushion member 33 faces upward in the height direction Z.

[0044] In the assembled state, the top 44 of the sub-cushioning member 33 is positioned above the main cushioning member 20. Therefore, impacts applied from above are absorbed by the sub-cushioning member 33 via the top 44, and the impact applied to the packaged object positioned below the main cushioning member 20 is mitigated.

[0045] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the relationship between the main buffer member 20 and the sub-buffer member 33 in the assembled state will be explained. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the third sub-buffer member 32A.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, when the column portion 41 of the sub-cushion member 33 (third sub-cushion member 32A) is received by the receiving portion 22 of the main cushioning member 20 (assembled state), the outer base portion 46 and the inner base portion 47 of the sub-cushion member 33 contact the top surface of the main cushioning member 20. Here, it is preferable that the dimensions of the portion of the outer base portion 46 that contacts the top surface of the main cushioning member 20 are the same as the dimensions from the receiving portion 22 to the outer circumference of the main cushioning member 20. If the dimensions of the outer base portion 46 are the same as the dimensions from the receiving portion 22 to the outer circumference of the main cushioning member 20, as shown in Figure 5, no step difference will occur between the side surface of the main cushioning member 20 and the back portion 43 of the sub-cushion member 33. As a result, impact from the side is distributed between the main cushioning member 20 and the sub-cushion member 33, improving the impact resistance of the side surface of the cushioning body 10.

[0047] The dimensions of the inner base portion 47 are greater than the distance from the receiving portion 22 to the inner circumferential surface of the main opening 30, and a portion of the inner base portion 47 is located above the main opening 30. The column coupling portion 51 and the inner buffer portion 49 are located above the main opening 30 and further inside the main opening 30 than the inner base portion 47.

[0048] The column portion 41, received by the receiving portion 22, passes through the receiving portion 22, and the anti-detachment projection 42 at its tip catches on the edge of the receiving portion 22 on the lower surface of the main cushioning member 20. Here, it is preferable that the anti-detachment projection 42 has a slope that widens from the tip to the base along the direction in which it is inserted into the receiving portion 22, as shown in Figure 5. With such a slope, the anti-detachment projection 42 deforms flexibly along the inner surface of the receiving portion 22 when the column portion 41 is inserted into the receiving portion 22. Then, when the anti-detachment projection 42 passes through the receiving portion 22 and is exposed on the lower surface of the main cushioning member 20, it returns to its original shape due to the elasticity of the material of the cushioning body 10 and catches on the edge of the receiving portion 22. Because the anti-detachment projection 42 catches on the edge of the receiving portion 22, the sub-cushioning member 33 will not fall off the main cushioning member 20 due to natural fall.

[0049] Here, it is preferable that the distance from the base of the column portion 41 (outer base portion 46 and inner base portion 47) to the anti-detachment projection 42 is the same as the thickness dimension D of the main cushioning member 20, so that the anti-detachment projection 42 can be restored to its original shape after passing a distance equal to the thickness dimension D of the main cushioning member 20 inside the receiving portion 22.

[0050] When the assembled buffer 10 is disassembled and returned to its storage state, the worker handling the buffer 10 can remove the sub-buffer member 33 from the receiving part 22 by pulling it out. Here, if the buffer 10 is made of an elastic material, when the sub-buffer member 33 is pulled out with sufficient force, the anti-detachment projection 42 or the receiving part 22 will temporarily deform, allowing the anti-detachment projection 42 to pass through the receiving part 22.

[0051] If all the sub-cushioning members 33 are the same shape when they are removed from the main cushioning member 20 and stored in the main opening 30, the worker does not need to consider which sub-cushioning member 33 should be placed where in the main opening 30, making it easier to disassemble and put away the cushioning body 10.

[0052] In this way, the cushioning body 10, which is assembled by attaching multiple sub-cushioning members 33 to the main cushioning member 20, is attached to the object to be packaged and performs the function of mitigating the impact on the object to be packaged. Generally, multiple cushioning bodies 10 are used for one object to be packaged.

[0053] Figure 6 shows a packaged object 80 with multiple cushioning bodies 10 (two in this case) attached and placed in a packaging box 90. The packaged object 80 shown in Figure 6 is, for example, an industrial computer, but the cushioning bodies 10 of this embodiment can be used for any item. In Figure 6, for illustrative purposes, the packaged object 80 is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the height direction Z, with the end face 81 in the height direction Z being shown as a flat surface, but the shape of the packaged object 80 is not limited to this and can be various shapes. Also, if the packaged object 80 is an industrial computer, various communication terminals are provided on the end face 81, but these communication terminals are not shown in the illustration.

[0054] In Figure 6, the two cushioning bodies 10 are each attached to the end faces 81 in the height direction Z of the packaged object 80. Specifically, the cushioning bodies 10 are attached such that the main cushioning member 20 surrounds the end face 81 (i.e., the end face 81 is inserted into the main opening 30). The multiple sub-cushioning members 33 are then arranged facing the end face 81. In the height direction Z, the cushioning body 10 attached to one end face 81 and the cushioning body 10 attached to the other end face (not shown in Figure 6) are attached to the packaged object 80 in opposite orientations.

[0055] In order to prevent the cushioning body 10 from swaying relative to the main cushioning member 20 and the packaged object 80 when it is attached to the packaged object 80, it is preferable that the dimensions of the main opening 30 are approximately the same as those of the end face 81. However, the shape of the main opening 30 does not need to be the same as that of the end face 81; it is sufficient that the inner surface of the main opening 30 contacts the packaged object 80 at at least two points.

[0056] When the cushioning body 10 is attached to the packaged object 80 in this manner, any impact applied to the packaged object 80 from the height direction Z is absorbed by the cushioning body 10 via the sub-cushioning member 33, thereby protecting the packaged object 80 from impact.

[0057] Furthermore, the object to be packaged 80 with the cushioning body 10 attached is placed in the packaging box 90. Here, in order to prevent the object to be packaged 80 and the cushioning body 10 from shaking inside the packaging box 90, it is preferable that the dimensions of the packaging box 90 in the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y are about the same as those of the main cushioning member 20. It is also preferable that the dimension of the packaging box 90 in the height direction Z is about the same as the distance from the sub-cushioning member 33 on one end face 81 of the object to be packaged 80 to the sub-cushioning member 33 on the other end face. Here, the dimensions of the cushioning body 10 may be determined to match the dimensions of the existing packaging box 90, or the dimensions of the cushioning body 10 may be determined first and then the dimensions of the packaging box 90 may be determined to match them.

[0058] When the packaged object 80 with the cushioning body 10 attached is placed in the packaging box 90, any impact applied to the packaged object 80 from the side of the packaging box 90 is absorbed by the side of the main cushioning member 20, thus protecting the packaged object 80 from impact.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, a chamfered portion 11 is formed on the corners of the outer circumference of the main cushioning member 20, and a chamfered portion 45 is formed between the back portion 43 and the top portion 44 of the sub-cushioning member 33. Therefore, when a worker places the object to be packaged 80 with the cushioning body 10 attached into the packaging box 90, the corners of the cushioning body 10 do not get caught on the packaging box 90, and the object to be packaged 80 can be smoothly placed into the packaging box 90.

[0060] Next, with reference to Figure 7, the storage state of the cushioning body 10 will be described. Figure 7 shows the storage state of multiple cushioning bodies 10. The cushioning body 10 before the sub-cushioning member 33 is cut out from the main opening 30 (state in Figure 1), or the cushioning body 10 that has been assembled and then disassembled and returned to its storage state, is stored in preparation for the opportunity to be used for the packaged object 80.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, the buffer body 10 in its contained state spreads out in the plane formed by the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y, and does not protrude in the height direction Z, becoming a flat plate shape. Therefore, even if multiple buffer bodies 10 are stacked in the height direction Z, they do not occupy a large space, and less space is required for storage.

[0062] Next, with reference to Figure 8, another example of the buffer 10 will be described. Figure 8 is a plan view showing another example of the buffer 10. In Figure 8, there are two sub-buffer members 33: a first sub-buffer member 31E and a second sub-buffer member 31F. Thus, there may be as few as two sub-buffer members 33. These two sub-buffer members 33 have the same shape as each other and are mutually complementary. The main buffer member 20 in Figure 8 has the same shape as in Figure 1, but the number of receiving portions 22 is two, matching the number of sub-buffer members 33.

[0063] Specifically, similar to the sub-cushion member 33 in Figure 1, the first sub-cushion member 31E and the second sub-cushion member 31F in Figure 8 are each enclosed by a back portion 43, a chamfered portion 45, a top portion 44, an inner cushioning portion 49, a column fitting portion 51, an inner base portion 47, a column portion 41, and an outer base portion 46. Taking the first sub-cushion member 31E in Figure 8 as an example, the back portion 43 and the top portion 44 contact the inner surface of the main opening 30. The back portion 43 contacts the side in the first horizontal direction X of the inner surface of the main opening 30, and the top portion 44 contacts the side in the second horizontal direction Y. The chamfered portion 45 of the sub-cushion member is at a distance from the inner surface of the main opening 30. The inner cushioning portion 49 of the first sub-cushion member 31E contacts the outer base portion 46 of the second sub-cushion member 31F. The column-fitting portion 51 of the first sub-cushion member 31E fits with the column portion 41 of the second sub-cushion member 31F. The inner base portion 47 of the first sub-cushion member 31E contacts the inner base portion 47 of the second sub-cushion member 31F. The column portion 41 of the first sub-cushion member 31E fits with the column-fitting portion 51 of the second sub-cushion member 31F. The outer base portion 46 of the first sub-cushion member 31E contacts the inner cushion portion 49 of the second sub-cushion member 31F.

[0064] The column portion 41 is provided with a projection 42 to prevent it from falling off, and the column interlocking portion 51 is provided with a projection interlocking portion 52 that fits into the projection 42. However, in Figure 8, the projection 42 to prevent it from falling off is not at the tip of the column portion 41 (column tip 48), but is formed at a distance from the base of the column portion 41 (outer base portion 46 and inner base portion 47) that is approximately the same as the thickness dimension D of the main buffer member 20. Thus, the projection 42 to prevent it from falling off does not necessarily have to be provided at the tip of the column portion 48, and the column tip 48 and the projection 42 may be separated. The column width dimension W of the column portion 41 is approximately the same as the dimension of one side of the receiving portion 22.

[0065] Even with this shape, if the distance from the base of the column 41 to the anti-detachment projection 42 is about the same as the thickness dimension D of the main cushioning member 20, the column 41 will be inserted into the receiving portion 22, causing the anti-detachment projection 42 to catch on the edge of the receiving portion 22. The tip of the column 48 will then protrude to a position slightly away from the receiving portion 22. Depending on the shape of the object to be packaged 80, the tip of the column 48 protruding to a position slightly away from the receiving portion 22 can prevent vibration of the object to be packaged 80 or mitigate impact on the object to be packaged 80.

[0066] When the assembled buffer body 10 is disassembled and returned to its storage state, the sub-buffer members 33 may be stored in the main opening 30 in a different arrangement than before assembly. Figure 9 is a plan view showing another example of the state in which the sub-buffer members 33 are stored in the main opening 30 of the main buffer member 20. The main buffer member 20 and the multiple (four in this case) sub-buffer members 33 included in the buffer body 10 shown in Figure 9 have the same shape as the buffer body 10 shown in Figure 1, but the arrangement of the sub-buffer members 33 is different from that in Figure 1.

[0067] Specifically, in Figure 1, the back portion 43 of the first sub-cushion member 31A was in contact with the inner surface of the main opening 30, but in Figure 9, the back portion 43 of the first sub-cushion member 31A is in contact with the back portion 43 of the third sub-cushion member 32A. Furthermore, in Figure 1, the first composite sub-cushion member 31 and the second composite sub-cushion member 32 were arranged in the same orientation within the main opening 30, but in Figure 9, the first composite sub-cushion member 31 and the second composite sub-cushion member 32 are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical orientation. This arrangement can be obtained when the second composite sub-cushion member 32 is placed upside down relative to the first composite sub-cushion member 31.

[0068] Thus, if there is not just one way to arrange the sub-cushioning members 33 in the stored state, but multiple arrangements are possible, the worker has greater freedom in arranging the sub-cushioning members 33, and disassembling and putting away the cushioning body 10 becomes easier.

[0069] Furthermore, if there are multiple composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32 formed by combining two sub-cushion members 33 each (multiple sets exist), it is preferable that the multiple composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32 have the same shape. When the multiple composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32 have the same shape, all sub-cushion members 33 will fit inside the main opening 30 whether the composite sub-cushion members 31 and 32 are in the same position or in reversed positions. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the sub-cushion members 33 is increased, and the disassembly and storage of the cushioning body 10 becomes easier.

[0070] The secondary cushioning member 33 does not necessarily have to be cut from the main cushioning member 20. For example, air cushioning material or cardboard that has been pre-formed into the shape of the main cushioning member 20 and the secondary cushioning member 33 may be used.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sub-cushioning member 33 has the same thickness dimension D as the main cushioning member 20, but the thickness dimension of the sub-cushioning member 33 may be smaller than that of the main cushioning member 20. Even if the thickness dimension of the sub-cushioning member 33 is smaller than that of the main cushioning member 20, as long as the outer circumference of the sub-cushioning member 33 is in contact with the inner surface of the main opening 30 and other sub-cushioning members 33 when stored, the sub-cushioning member 33 will be elastically braced inside the main opening 30, preventing it from falling out of the main opening 30.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the receiving portion 22 is a through-hole that penetrates the main buffer member 20, but the receiving portion 22 does not need to be such that the sub-buffer member 33 is attached to the main buffer member 20 by receiving the column portion 41. For example, a notch provided in the outer peripheral wall of the main buffer member 20 or the inner peripheral wall of the main opening 30 may serve as the receiving portion 22. When the notch serves as the receiving portion 22, the corner between the column portion 41 of the sub-buffer member 33 and the outer base portion 46 or inner base portion 47 is hooked into the notch, thereby attaching the sub-buffer member 33 to the main buffer member 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10 Buffer 11 Main buffer member chamfer 20 Main cushioning member 22 Receptor part 30 Main opening 31 First composite sub-cushioning member 31A First Sub-buffer Member 31B Second Sub-buffer Member 31E First Sub-buffer Member 31F Second Sub-buffer Member 32 Second composite sub-cushioning member 32A Third Sub-buffer Member 32B Fourth Sub-buffer Member 33. Sub-cushioning member 38 Separation section 41 Column section 42 Fall-off prevention protrusion 43 Back 44 Top 45 Sub-buffer member chamfer 46 Lateral base 47 Medial base 48 Column tip 49 Inner buffer section 51 Column joint 52 Projection interlocking part 80 Items to be packaged 81 End face 90 packing boxes D Thickness dimension W Column width dimension X 1st horizontal direction Y 2nd horizontal direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. In a buffer body comprising a main buffer member and one or more sub-buffer members, The main buffer member comprises a main opening that penetrates the main buffer member and a receiving portion corresponding to the number of sub-buffer members. The aforementioned secondary buffer member is a buffer body comprising a column portion that is received by the receiving portion and that can be housed in the main opening.

2. Two or more of the aforementioned sub-cushioning members are provided, The aforementioned sub-cushioning members can be combined in pairs to form a composite sub-cushioning member. The two sub-cushion members that are combined as the composite sub-cushion member have shapes that complement each other. The buffer body according to claim 1, wherein two of the sub-buffer members are combined as a composite sub-buffer member, so that all of the sub-buffer members can be housed in the main opening.

3. Each of the two sub-cushion members that are combined as the composite sub-cushion member is provided with a column-fitting portion that fits into the column portion, The buffer according to claim 2, wherein the two sub-buffer members are combined as a composite sub-buffer member by fitting the column portion of one sub-buffer member with the column-fitting portion of the other sub-buffer member.

4. Each of the aforementioned sub-cushioning members is identical in shape. The buffer according to claim 3, wherein the column portion of any sub-buffer member is receivable by any receiving portion.

5. The buffer body according to claim 1, wherein the column portion is provided with a fall-prevention projection having a larger dimension than the receiving portion in at least one direction.

6. The buffer according to claim 1, wherein when all of the sub-buffer members are housed in the main opening, all of the sub-buffer members are housed within the main opening from any viewpoint.

7. The buffer body according to claim 1, wherein the main opening of the main buffer member is formed by cutting out the sub-buffer member from the main buffer member.

8. The buffer body according to claim 1, wherein the main buffer member has a polygonal shape surrounding the main opening, and the corners of the outer circumference of the main buffer member are chamfered.

Images