Packaging Container

Abstract

To provide a technology that makes it easy to assemble a packaging container to package to-be-packaged objects in an exposed state.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A packaging container includes a flat plate-shaped first side wall and a flat plate-shaped second side wall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and a maintaining piece that maintains the positional relationship between the first side wall and the second side wall. The third sidewall includes a first part that is inclined toward the fourth sidewall in a direction from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall, a second part that is inclined away from the fourth sidewall in a direction from the first part toward the second sidewall and a first opening that is arranged over the first part and the second part and can hold to-be-packaged objects. The fourth sidewall includes a third part that is inclined toward the third sidewall in a direction from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall, a fourth part that is inclined in a direction away from the third sidewall in a direction from the third portion toward the second sidewall, and a second opening disposed across the third part and the fourth part and can hold to-be-packaged objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technology relating to a packaging container that packages an item to be packaged in an exposed state. [Background technology]

[0002] In the packaging container described in Patent Document 1, four side plates are held in a state twisted from a cubic shape. Each of the four side plates has a notch formed therein, and a cylindrical packaged item is fixed in place by the notch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-158125 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, when assembling the packaging container, each of the four side panels must be twisted, making the assembly of the packaging container difficult.

[0005] This specification provides a technology for facilitating the assembly of a packaging container that packages an item to be packaged in an exposed state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a packaging container, which includes a flat first side wall, a flat second side wall facing the first side wall with a gap therebetween, a third side wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall and connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall, a fourth side wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall and connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall, the fourth side wall facing the third side wall, and a maintaining piece for maintaining a positional relationship between the first side wall and the second side wall. The third side wall includes a first portion extending from the first side wall and at least a portion of which is inclined toward the fourth side wall in a direction toward the second side wall, a second portion extending from the second side wall toward the third portion and at least a portion of which is inclined away from the fourth side wall in a direction from the first portion toward the second side wall, and a first opening disposed between the first and second portions and capable of holding the item to be packaged. The fourth side wall includes a third portion extending from the first side wall and at least a portion of which is inclined toward the third side wall in a direction toward the second side wall, a fourth portion extending from the second side wall toward the third portion and at least a portion of which is inclined away from the third side wall in a direction from the third portion toward the second side wall, and a second opening disposed between the third and fourth portions and capable of holding the item to be packaged.

[0007] In this configuration, the packaged items placed in the first opening and the second opening are exposed to the outside from the first opening and the second opening. The third side wall having the first opening and the fourth side wall having the second opening are placed between the flat first side wall and the flat second side wall. According to this configuration, when assembling the packaging container, the first side wall and the second side wall are maintained in a flat shape. Therefore, it is not necessary to deform the four side walls at the same time. According to this configuration, the packaging container can be easily assembled.

[0008] The first portion and the second portion may be directly connected via a bend line, and the third portion and the fourth portion may be directly connected via a bend line.

[0009] According to this configuration, the packaging container can be assembled by folding the third side wall between the first portion and the second portion, and folding the fourth side wall between the third portion and the fourth portion.

[0010] The retaining piece may include a first end plate connected to one of the vertical edges of the second side wall via a fold line, a first outer plate connected to the first end plate via a fold line and arranged opposite an outer surface of the third side wall, a first engagement piece connected to the first outer plate via a fold line and inserted into a first engagement hole arranged at the boundary between the third side wall and the first side wall, and a second engagement piece connected to the first outer plate via a fold line and inserted into a second engagement hole arranged at the boundary between the third side wall and the second side wall.

[0011] According to this configuration, the positional relationship between the first side wall and the second side wall can be maintained by inserting the first engagement piece and the second engagement piece into the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole, respectively.

[0012] At least one of the first side wall and the second side wall may have an opening through which the packaged item held in the first opening and the second opening can be viewed from outside the packaging container.

[0013] This configuration makes it easier to check the packaged items from the outside of the packaging container.

[0014] The above-mentioned deployment body for producing the packaging container is also novel and useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging container in which an item to be packaged is packaged in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a packaging container packaging an item to be packaged in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the packaging container packaging an item to be packaged in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a development view of the packaging container according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an intermediate product of the packaging container of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the packaging container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the packaging container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the packaging container of the first embodiment with the end plates open. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lower end of the opening of the first embodiment as viewed from the inside. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a packaging container packaging an item according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a packaging container packaging an item according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 7 is a development view of a packaging container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an intermediate product of a packaging container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of a packaging container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the upper end portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modified packaging container with its upper end plate open. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modified packaging container with its upper end plate open.

[0016] (First Example) As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging container 10 packages the packaged item X in a state where the packaged item X is exposed to the outside of the packaging container 10. The packaging container 10 is used to transport the packaged item X and display the packaged item X at a storefront. The packaged item X has a cylindrical shape. The uses of the packaging container 10 are not limited to transportation and display, and the packaged item X may be used for protection, storage, etc. The front-back, left-right, and up-down directions included in this specification are defined for ease of explanation, and do not define the posture during actual use.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the packaging container 10 is produced by folding a plurality of fold lines provided on a single flat-plate-shaped developable body BL1. Each of the plurality of fold lines has at least one of a groove and a slit along the fold line so that the container can be easily folded along the fold line. The plurality of fold lines are represented by thin dashed lines. Furthermore, the locations where adhesive is applied are represented by parallel thin lines. The developable body BL1 is produced from a single sheet of corrugated cardboard. The developable body BL1 may also be produced from paper other than corrugated cardboard, or from resin.

[0018] The packaging container 10 includes four side panels 12, 14, 16, and 18, two retaining pieces 30 and 40, a pair of overlapping pieces 20 and 22, an adhesive piece 50, two reinforcing pieces 52, and a locking piece 54. Each of the panels 12, 14, 16, and 18 and each of the pieces 30, 40, 20, 22, 50, 52, and 54 of the packaging container 10 is made of a flat plate.

[0019] The side plate 12 is disposed at the rear end of the packaging container 10. A locking piece 54 is connected to the lower end of the side plate 12. The locking piece 54 includes a connecting portion 54a and an inserting portion 54b. The connecting portion 54a is connected to the side plate 12 via a fold line at the upper end edge. The connecting portion 54a is separated from the side plate 12 by slits at both the left and right end edges. The inserting portion 54b is connected to the lower end of the connecting portion 54a via a fold line. The fold line between the connecting portion 54a and the inserting portion 54b is located on the same straight line as the lower end edge of the side plate 12. The connecting portion 54a is disposed above the lower end edge of the side plate 12, and the inserting portion 54b protrudes downward from the lower end edge of the side plate 12.

[0020] An overlapping piece 20 is connected to the upper edge of the side panel 12 without a bend line. The overlapping piece 20 has an opening 24a penetrating the overlapping piece 20. An overlapping piece 22 is connected to the upper edge of the overlapping piece 20 via a bend line.

[0021] An adhesive piece 50 is connected to the edge of the side panel 12 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 50 is arranged over the entire length of the side panel 12 in the vertical direction. Reinforcement pieces 52 are arranged at the upper and lower ends of the edge of the adhesive piece 50 opposite the side panel 12. Each reinforcing piece 52 is connected to the adhesive piece 50 without a bend line. Each reinforcing piece 52 protrudes from the adhesive piece 50 to the opposite side of the side panel 12.

[0022] Side plate 14 is connected to the edge of side plate 12 opposite to adhesive piece 50 via a fold line. Side plate 14 has a first portion 14b, a second portion 14a, and an opening 14d. First portion 14b is connected to side plate 12 via a fold line. Second portion 14a is connected to the edge of first portion 14b opposite to side plate 12 via fold line 14c.

[0023] An opening 14d is disposed in the side plate 14, straddling the folding line 14c and penetrating the side plate 14 from the first portion 14b to the second portion 14a. The opening 14d has a shape that follows the outer shape of the packaged item X in the state of the packaging container 10.

[0024] A side plate 16 is connected via a bend line to the edge of the second portion 14a opposite to the first portion 14b. The vertical length of the side plate 16 matches the vertical length of the side plate 12, and the left-right length of the side plate 16 matches the left-right length of the side plate 12. An opening 16d penetrating the side plate 16 is provided in the center of the side plate 16.

[0025] A retaining piece 30 is connected to the lower edge of the side plate 16 via a bend line. The retaining piece 30 includes an end plate 36, an adhesive piece 34, and an insert piece 32. The end plate 36 is connected to the side plate 16 at the lower edge of the side plate 16 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 34 is connected to the end plate 36 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 34 is smaller than the end plate 36. The insert piece 32 is connected to the edge of the end plate 36 opposite the side plate 16 via a bend line. An opening 38 is arranged between the end plate 36 and the insert piece 32, into which the locking piece 54 is inserted.

[0026] A retaining piece 40 is connected to the upper edge of the side plate 16 via a bend line. The retaining piece 40 includes an end plate 46, an adhesive piece 44, and an insert piece 42. The end plate 46 is connected to the side plate 16 via a bend line at the upper edge of the side plate 16. The adhesive piece 44 is connected to the end plate 46 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 44 is smaller than the end plate 46. The insert piece 42 is connected to the end edge of the end plate 46 opposite the side plate 16 via a bend line.

[0027] A side plate 18 is connected to the edge of the side plate 16 opposite to the side plate 14 via a bend line. The side plate 18 includes a third portion 18b, a fourth portion 18a, and an opening 18d. The fourth portion 18a is connected to the side plate 16 via a bend line. The third portion 18b is connected to the edge of the fourth portion 18a opposite to the side plate 16 via a bend line 18c. The side plate 18 has the same shape as the side plate 14. The third portion 18b has the same shape as the first portion 14b, and the fourth portion 18a has the same shape as the second portion 14a.

[0028] An opening 18d is disposed in the side plate 18, straddling the folding line 18c and penetrating the side plate 18 from the third portion 18b to the fourth portion 18a. The opening 18d has a shape that follows the outer shape of the packaged item X in the state of the packaging container 10. The opening 18d has the same shape as the opening 14d.

[0029] (Method of assembling the packaging container from the deployed body) Next, a method of assembling the packaging container 10 from the unfolded body BL1 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. In the unfolded body BL1, the fold line between the side plate 12 and the side plate 14 and the fold line between the side plate 16 and the side plate 18 are folded. As a result, the side plate 18 overlaps the outer surface of the adhesive strip 50. The adhesive strip 50 is adhered to the side plate 18. The fold line between the adhesive strip 34 and the end plate 36 is folded to overlap the adhesive strip 34 on the inner surface of the end plate 36. The adhesive strip 34 is adhered to the end plate 36. Also, the fold line between the adhesive strip 44 and the end plate 46 is folded to overlap the adhesive strip 44 on the inner surface of the end plate 46. The adhesive strip 44 is adhered to the end plate 46. As a result, the intermediate product of the packaging container 10 shown in Fig. 5 is produced. The packaging container 10 may be shipped as an intermediate product from the packaging container manufacturer. A user of the packaging container 10 may package the item X by assembling the intermediate product using the assembly method described below.

[0030] The intermediate product described above is folded along the fold lines between the side panels 12 and 14, the fold lines between the side panels 14 and 16, the fold lines between the side panels 16 and 18, and the fold line between the side panels 18 and 12 (i.e., the fold line between the side panels 12 and the adhesive strip 50) so that the side panels 12, 14, 16, and 18 form a rectangular prism. Next, the first portion 14b and the second portion 14a are folded along the fold line 14c so that they protrude between the side panels 12 and 16, and the third portion 18b and the fourth portion 18a are folded along the fold line 18c so that they protrude between the side panels 12 and 16. Then, the end panel 36 is folded toward the lower ends of the side panels 12, 14, and 18 relative to the side panel 16, and the insertion piece 32 is folded upward from the end panel 36. The insertion piece 32 is inserted into the packaging container 10 along the side panel 12.

[0031] 6, the connecting portion 54a of the locking piece 54 is bent backward relative to the side plate 12, and the insertion portion 54b is bent upward relative to the connecting portion 54a, and the insertion portion 54b is inserted into the opening 38. The opening 38 has a narrower width in the up-down direction at both left-right ends. Therefore, when the insertion portion 54b is inserted into the opening 38, the insertion portion 54b is sandwiched between the opening 38 at the left and right ends thereof, making it difficult for the insertion portion 54b to come out of the opening 38.

[0032] The retaining piece 30 is locked by the locking piece 54 as the insertion portion 54b is inserted into the opening 38. This makes it possible to prevent the retaining piece 30 from rotating with respect to the side plate 16 and opening.

[0033] In addition, while bending the side plates 12, 14, 16, and 18, the overlapping piece 22 is bent forward relative to the overlapping piece 20 so that the overlapping piece 22 overlaps with the overlapping piece 20. As a result, the opening 24a of the overlapping piece 20 and the opening 24b of the overlapping piece 22 overlap to form the hanging hole 24. The overlapping piece 22 extends below the overlapping piece 20 and has a portion 22a that overlaps with the side plate 12.

[0034] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the packaged item X is placed in the packaging container 10. Specifically, the first portion 14b and the second portion 14a of the side plate 14 are deformed so that the fold line 14c moves outward in the left-right direction, i.e., in a direction in which the angle between the fold line 14c between the first portion 14b and the second portion 14a becomes gentler. Similarly, the third portion 18b and the fourth portion 18a are deformed so that the fold line 18c moves outward in the left-right direction, i.e., in a direction in which the angle between the fold line 18c between the third portion 18b and the fourth portion 18a becomes gentler. This widens the upper end opening of the packaging container 10 surrounded by the side plates 12, 14, 16, and 18.

[0035] The first and second portions 14b and 14a below the opening 14d and the third and fourth portions 18b and 18a below the opening 18d are not deformed upward and are hardly deformed at all. The side plates 12 and 16 deform so that their upper ends spread outward from the packaging container 10 as the side plates 14 and 18 deform. The packaged item X can be inserted into the packaging container 10 from the upper openings of the side plates 12, 14, 16, and 18.

[0036] The packaged item X is moved downward within the packaging container 10 to a position where it fits into the openings 14d, 18d. The downward position of the packaged item X is determined by the packaged item X coming into contact with the first portion 14b, the second portion 14a, the third portion 18b, and the fourth portion 18a at the lower ends of the openings 14d, 18d. When the packaged item X comes into contact with the first portion 14b, the second portion 14a, the third portion 18b, and the fourth portion 18a, the first portion 14b, the second portion 14a, the third portion 18b, and the fourth portion 18a located above the packaged item X return to the state before being spread by the packaged item X.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, each of the side plates 14, 18 is disposed in a bent state above the packaged item X. The first portion 14b extends forward from the side plate 12 while slanting toward the side plate 18. The second portion 14a extends forward from the first portion 14b while slanting in a direction away from the side plate 18. The third portion 18b extends forward from the side plate 12 while slanting toward the side plate 14. The fourth portion 18a extends forward from the third portion 18b while slanting in a direction away from the side plate 14.

[0038] The side plates 14, 18 are close to each other at the fold lines 14c, 18c, thereby closing the top of the packaged item X. This determines the upward position of the packaged item X. The width of each of the openings 14d, 18d in the front-rear direction is narrower than the diameter of the packaged item X. The width of the opening 14d of the first portion 14b and the opening 18d of the third portion 18b in the left-right direction is narrower than the diameter of the packaged item X. Similarly, the width of the opening 14d of the second portion 14a and the opening 18d of the fourth portion 18a in the left-right direction is narrower than the diameter of the packaged item X. This determines the position of the packaged item X in the front-rear and left-right directions by the side plates 14, 18.

[0039] 8, the end plate 46 is folded toward the upper ends of the side plates 12, 14, and 18 relative to the side plate 16, and the insertion piece 42 is folded downward from the end plate 46. The insertion piece 42 is inserted into the packaging container 10 along the portion 22a, i.e., the side plate 12. In this manner, the packaging container 10 is completed.

[0040] The insertion piece 42 fits between the portion 22a and the first portion 14b and between the portion 22a and the third portion 18b, respectively, thereby maintaining the position of the retaining piece 40 relative to the side plates 12, 14, 16, and 18. Similarly, the insertion piece 32 fits between the side plate 12 and the first portion 14b and between the side plate 12 and the third portion 18b, respectively, thereby maintaining the position of the retaining piece 30 relative to the side plates 12, 14, 16, and 18.

[0041] In this configuration, the side plate 14 is maintained in a state where it is bent at the fold line 14c by the maintaining pieces 30, 40, and the side plate 18 is maintained in a state where it is bent at the fold line 18c by the maintaining pieces 30, 40. As a result, the spacing between the side plate 12 and the side plate 16 is maintained by the maintaining pieces 30, 40. The packaging container 10 does not require the use of adhesive tape or the like to maintain the shape of the packaging container 10.

[0042] In the packaging container 10, when assembling the packaging container 10 from the unfolded body BL1, it is only necessary to fold the side plates 14 and 18, and it is not necessary to deform the side plates 12 and 16 from their flat shapes. This configuration allows the packaging container 10 to be easily assembled. Furthermore, when the packaged item X is placed in the packaging container 10, the packaged item X is inserted from the upper ends of the side plates 12, 14, 16 and 18, which causes the side plates 12, 14, 16 and 18 to be deformed. This allows the packaged item X to be placed in the packaging container 10 after first folding the side plates 14 and 18. This means that it is not necessary to first place the packaged item X in the packaging container 10 and then assemble the packaging container 10 while paying attention to the position of the packaged item X.

[0043] In the packaging container 10, the insertion piece 32 is inserted along the side plate 12 at the lower end of the packaging container 10, so that the insertion piece 32 is sandwiched between each of the side plates 14, 18 and the side plate 12. As a result, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the lower end of the side plates 14, 18 is maintained by the maintaining piece 30. With this configuration, when the packaged item X is inserted from the upper end of the packaging container 10, it is possible to prevent the side plates 14, 18 from releasing the folded state. This allows the packaged item X to be easily stored in the packaging container 10.

[0044] 1 and 2, in the packaging container 10, the packaged item X exposed from the openings 14d, 18d of the side plates 14, 18 in the left-right direction can be seen from outside the packaging container 10. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the opening 16d arranged in the side plate 16 is arranged at a position overlapping the opening 14d of the second portion 14a and the opening 18d of the fourth portion 18a. With this configuration, the opening 16d makes it possible to make the packaged item X exposed from the opening 14d of the second portion 14a and the opening 18d of the fourth portion 18a visible from the front of the packaging container 10.

[0045] 9 is an enlarged view of the lower end of the third portion 18b on the back surface of the packaging container 10. The reinforcing piece 52 extending from the adhesive piece 50 is disposed at the lower end of the opening 18d along the shape of the opening 18d. As a result, the reinforcing piece 52 can prevent the third portion 18b from being damaged starting from the opening 18d. The reinforcing piece 52 protruding from the upper end of the adhesive piece 50 similarly extends at the upper end of the opening 18d along the shape of the opening 18d. This can prevent the third portion 18b from being damaged starting from the opening 18d.

[0046] (Correspondence) Side plate 12 is an example of a “first side wall,” side plate 14 is an example of a “third side wall,” side plate 16 is an example of a “second side wall,” and side plate 18 is an example of a “fourth side wall.” Opening 14d is an example of a “first opening,” and opening 18d is an example of a “second opening.”

[0047] (Second Example) A packaging container 210 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the packaging container 210 packages the packaged item X in an exposed state, similar to the packaging container 10. In the following description, the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0048] 12, the packaging container 210 is produced by folding a plurality of folding lines provided on a single flat plate-like deployable body BL2. The packaging container 210 includes four side plates 212, 214, 216, 218, two retaining pieces 230, 240, an adhesive piece 250, and a pair of reinforcing pieces 252, 252.

[0049] The side plate 212 is disposed at the rear end of the packaging container 210. The side plate 212 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and has an opening 212d penetrating the side plate 212 in the center. An adhesive piece 250 is connected to the edge of the side plate 212 via a folding line 211. The adhesive piece 250 is disposed over the entire length of the side plate 212 in the up-down direction. Reinforcing pieces 252, 252 that are connected to the adhesive piece 250 without a folding line protrude from the upper and lower ends of the edge of the adhesive piece 250 opposite the side plate 212, respectively, on the opposite side to the side plate 212.

[0050] A pair of slits 211a, 211b are formed along the folding line 211 between the adhesive piece 250 and the side plate 212. Each of the pair of slits 211a, 211b penetrates the flat plate of the deployable body BL2 between the adhesive piece 250 and the side plate 212. Each of the pair of slits 211a, 211b is formed without any gaps in the state of the deployable body BL2, but is positioned offset from the folding line 211 so that a gap is formed when the adhesive piece 250 is folded along the folding line 211 relative to the side plate 212.

[0051] A side plate 214 is connected to an edge of the side plate 212 opposite the adhesive piece 250 via a fold line 213. The side plate 214 includes a first portion 214b, a second portion 214a, and an opening 214d. The first portion 214b is connected to the side plate 212 via the fold line 213. The second portion 214a is connected to an edge of the first portion 214b opposite the side plate 212 via a fold line 214c.

[0052] An opening 214d is disposed in the side plate 214, straddling the folding line 214c and penetrating the side plate 214 from the first portion 214b to the second portion 214a. The opening 214d has a shape that conforms to the packaged item X in the state of the packaging container 210.

[0053] A pair of slits 213a, 213b are formed along the folding line 213 between the side plate 212 and the side plate 214. Each of the pair of slits 213a, 213b penetrates the flat plate of the deployable body BL2 between the side plate 212 and the side plate 214. Each of the pair of slits 213a, 213b is formed without any gap when the deployable body BL2 is in a state, but is disposed offset from the folding line 213 so that a gap is formed when the contact side plate 212 is folded relative to the side plate 214 at the folding line 213.

[0054] A side plate 216 is connected to an edge of the second portion 214a opposite to the first portion 214b via a folding line 215. The side plate 216 has an opening 216d penetrating the side plate 216 in the center.

[0055] A pair of slits 215a, 215b are formed along a folding line 215 between the side plate 214 and the side plate 216. Each of the pair of slits 215a, 215b penetrates the flat plate of the deployable body BL2 between the side plate 214 and the side plate 216. Each of the pair of slits 215a, 215b is formed without a gap in the state of the deployable body BL2, but is disposed offset from the folding line 215 so that a gap is formed when the contact side plate 214 is folded relative to the side plate 216 at the folding line 215.

[0056] A retaining piece 230 is connected to the lower edge of the side plate 216 via a bend line. The retaining piece 230 includes an end plate 236, an adhesive piece 234, an insert piece 232, an outer plate 238, and a pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a. The end plate 236 is connected to the side plate 216 via a bend line at the lower edge of the side plate 216. The adhesive piece 234 is connected to the end plate 236 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 234 is smaller than the end plate 236. The insert piece 232 is connected to the end edge of the end plate 236 opposite to the side plate 216 via a bend line. In the insert piece 232, a part of the end plate 236 side of the adhesive piece 234 side is cut out to form a protrusion 232a.

[0057] An outer plate 238 is connected to the edge of the end plate 236 opposite to the adhesive piece 234 via a bend line. In the outer plate 238, an edge 238b opposite to the end plate 236 is formed in an arc shape. A pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a protrude from each of a pair of side edges arranged between the edge on the end plate 236 side of the outer plate 238 and the edge 238b. The pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a are arranged so as to be bendable relative to the outer plate 238. A notch is formed in the lower edge of the second portion 214a along the engagement piece 238a.

[0058] A retaining piece 240 is connected to the upper edge of the side plate 216 via a bend line. The retaining piece 240 includes an end plate 246, an adhesive piece 244, an insert piece 242, an outer plate 248, and a pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a. The end plate 246 is connected to the side plate 216 via a bend line on the lower edge of the side plate 216. The adhesive piece 244 is connected to the end plate 246 via a bend line. The adhesive piece 244 is smaller than the end plate 246. The insert piece 242 is connected to the end edge of the end plate 246 opposite to the side plate 216 via a bend line. In the insert piece 242, a part of the end plate 246 side of the adhesive piece 244 is cut out to form a protrusion 242a.

[0059] An outer plate 248 is connected to the edge of the end plate 246 opposite to the adhesive piece 244 via a bend line. In the outer plate 248, an edge 248b opposite to the end plate 246 is formed in an arc shape. A pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a protrude from each of a pair of side edges disposed between the edge 248b of the end plate 246 of the outer plate 248. The pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a are disposed so as to be bendable relative to the outer plate 248. A notch is formed in the upper edge of the second portion 214a along the engagement piece 248a.

[0060] A side plate 218 is connected to the edge of the side plate 216 opposite to the side plate 214 via a bend line. The side plate 218 includes a third portion 218b, a fourth portion 218a, and an opening 218d. The fourth portion 218a is connected to the side plate 216 via a bend line. The third portion 218b is connected to the edge of the fourth portion 218a opposite to the side plate 216 via a bend line 218c. The third portion 218b has the same shape as the first portion 214b except for a portion of the edge, and the fourth portion 218a has the same shape as the second portion 214a except for a portion of the edge.

[0061] An opening 218d is arranged in the side plate 218, passing through the side plate 218 from the third portion 218b to the fourth portion 218a across the folding line 218c. The opening 218d has a shape that conforms to the packaged item X in the state of the packaging container 210. The opening 218d has the same shape as the opening 214d.

[0062] A pair of notches 218e, 218e are arranged on the edge of the side plate 218 opposite the side plate 216, that is, on the edge of the fourth portion 218a opposite the third portion 218b.

[0063] (Method of assembling the packaging container from the deployed body) Next, a method of assembling the packaging container 210 from the developed body BL2 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 15. In the developed body BL2, the fold line 213 between the side plate 212 and the side plate 214 and the fold line between the side plate 216 and the side plate 218 are folded. As a result, the side plate 218 overlaps the outer surface of the adhesive piece 250. The adhesive piece 250 is adhered to the side plate 218. The fold line between the adhesive piece 234 and the end plate 236 is folded to overlap the adhesive piece 234 on the inner surface of the end plate 236. The adhesive piece 234 is adhered to the end plate 236. Also, the fold line between the adhesive piece 244 and the end plate 246 is folded to overlap the adhesive piece 244 on the inner surface of the end plate 246. The adhesive piece 244 is adhered to the end plate 246. As a result, the intermediate product of the packaging container 210 shown in Fig. 13 is produced. The packaging container 210 may be shipped from the packaging container manufacturer at this stage of the intermediate product.

[0064] From the intermediate product described above, the fold lines between the side plates 212 and 214, the fold line between the side plates 214 and 216, the fold line between the side plates 216 and 218, and the fold line between the side plates 218 and 212 (i.e., the fold line between the side plate 212 and the adhesive piece 250) are folded so that the side plates 212, 214, 216, and 218 form a rectangular prism. Next, the first portion 214b and the second portion 214a are folded along the fold line 214c so that they protrude between the side plates 212 and 216, and the third portion 218b and the fourth portion 218a are folded along the fold line 218c so that they protrude between the side plates 212 and 216.

[0065] Then, the end plate 236 is bent toward the lower ends of the side plates 212, 214, and 218 with respect to the side plate 216, and the insertion piece 232 is bent upward from the end plate 236. The insertion piece 232 is inserted into the packaging container 210 along the side plate 212. When the insertion piece 232 is inserted, the protruding portion 232a is inserted into the slit 211b. The slit 211b is opened by bending the folding line 211 to an extent that the protruding portion 232a can be inserted. The lower cutout 218e of the side plate 218 is cut out so that the side plate 218 avoids the slit 211b.

[0066] Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the outer plate 238 is bent upward with respect to the end plate 236 so as to face the side plate 214, and the pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a are bent toward the slits 213b, 215b, respectively. The slit 213b is opened by bending the folding line 213 to an extent that the engagement piece 238a can be inserted. Similarly, the slit 215b is opened by bending the folding line 215 to an extent that the engagement piece 238a can be inserted. The pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a are inserted into the opened slits 213b, 215b, respectively. The pair of engagement pieces 238a, 238a are prevented from coming off the slits 213b, 215b, respectively, by engaging with the side plate 214.

[0067] Next, the packaged item X is placed in the packaging container 210 in the same manner as the packaging container 10. The first portion 214b and the second portion 214a of the side plate 214 are deformed so that the fold line 214c moves outward in the left-right direction, and the third portion 218b and the fourth portion 218a of the side plate 218 are deformed so that the fold line 218c moves outward in the left-right direction, thereby widening the upper end opening of the packaging container 210 surrounded by the side plates 212, 214, 216, and 218. The side plates 212 and 216 are deformed so that their upper portions spread outward from the packaging container 210 as the side plates 214 and 218 deform.

[0068] This allows the packaged item X to move downward to a position where it fits into the openings 214d and 218d. The packaged item X is positioned by the side plates 214 and 218, similar to the packaging container 10. Each of the side plates 214 and 218 is disposed in a bent state above the packaged item X, similar to the packaging container 10. The first portion 214b extends from the side plate 212 forward toward the side plate 218 while inclining. The second portion 214a extends from the first portion 214b forward toward the side plate 218 while inclining. The third portion 218b extends from the side plate 212 forward toward the side plate 214 while inclining. The fourth portion 218a extends from the third portion 218b forward toward the side plate 214 while inclining.

[0069] Next, the end plate 246 is bent toward the upper ends of the side plates 212, 214, and 218 relative to the side plate 216, and the insertion piece 242 is bent downward from the end plate 246. The insertion piece 242 is inserted into the packaging container 210 along the side plate 212. As shown in FIG. 15, when the insertion piece 242 is inserted, the protruding portion 242a is inserted into the slit 211a. The slit 211a is opened by bending the folding line 211 to an extent that the protruding portion 242a can be inserted. The upper notch 218e of the side plate 218 is cut out so as to avoid the slit 211a.

[0070] Next, the outer plate 248 is folded against the end plate 246 so as to face the side plate 214, and the pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a are folded toward the slits 213a, 215a, respectively. The slits 213a, 215a are opened by bending the folding lines 213, 215, respectively, as with the slits 213b, 215b, respectively. The pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a are inserted into the opened slits 213a, 215a, respectively. The pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a are prevented from coming off the slits 213a, 215a, respectively, by engaging with the side plate 214. In this way, the packaging container 210 is completed.

[0071] The packaging container 10 has the same effects as the packaging container 210.

[0072] In the packaging container 210, the retaining piece 240 has the insertion piece 242 fitted between the side plate 212 and the first portion 214b and between the side plate 212 and the third portion 218b, similarly to the retaining piece 40. In the retaining piece 240, the protruding portion 242a of the insertion piece 242 is inserted into the slit 211a. This makes it possible to prevent the retaining piece 240 from coming off. Furthermore, in the retaining piece 240, the pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a are inserted into the slits 213a, 215a, whereby the engagement pieces 248a, 248a are engaged with the side plate 214.

[0073] In this configuration, the side plate 214 is maintained in a state where it is bent at the bending line 214c by the retaining piece 240, and the side plate 218 is maintained in a state where it is bent at the bending line 218c. As a result, the distance between the side plate 212 and the side plate 216 is maintained. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the retaining piece 240 from coming off.

[0074] The outer plate 248 has a function of connecting the end plate 246 and the pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a, and maintaining the distance between the pair of engagement pieces 248a, 248a. The outer plate 248 may have any shape that satisfies this function, and can be designed relatively freely. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, the edge 248b can be formed in an arc shape. The use of the outer plate 248 can improve the design. The same applies to the outer plate 238.

[0075] The openings 216d and 212d enable the packaged item X exposed from the openings 214d and 218d to be visible from outside the packaging container 210 in the front-rear direction, respectively.

[0076] (Correspondence) Side plate 212 is an example of a "first side wall", side plate 214 is an example of a "third side wall", side plate 216 is an example of a "second side wall", and side plate 218 is an example of a "fourth side wall". Opening 214d is an example of a "first opening", and opening 218d is an example of a "second opening". End plate 236 is an example of a "first end plate", outer plate 238 is an example of a "first outer plate", slit 213b is an example of a "first engagement hole", slit 215b is an example of a "second engagement hole", and engagement piece 238a is an example of a "first engagement piece" and a "second engagement piece". End plate 246 is an example of a "second end plate," outer plate 248 is an example of a "second outer plate," slit 213a is an example of a "third engagement hole," slit 215a is an example of a "fourth engagement hole," and engagement piece 248a is an example of a "third engagement piece" and a "fourth engagement piece."

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples exemplified above.

[0078] For example, the packaging container 10 may not have overlapping pieces 20, 22. The packaging container 210 may have overlapping pieces similar to the overlapping pieces 20, 22 connected to the upper edge of the side panel 212.

[0079] In the packaging container 10, the first portion 14b and the second portion 14a of the side plate 14 are directly connected to each other via a folding line 14c. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the first portion 314b and the second portion 314a may be connected to each other by a curve without a folding line. The fourth portion 318b and the fourth portion 318a may be connected to each other in the same manner. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, a part of the first portion 414b and the second portion 414a may extend parallel to the front-rear direction. The first portion 414b and the second portion 414a may be directly connected to each other at the center of the part extending parallel to the front-rear direction. The third portion 418b and the fourth portion 418a may be connected to each other in the same manner.

[0080] In the packaging container 10, the shape of the retaining pieces 30, 40 is not limited to a specific shape as long as it maintains the gap between the side plate 12 and the side plate 16. The same applies to the retaining pieces 230, 240.

[0081] In the packaging container 10, the side plate 12 and the side plate 14, the side plate 14 and the side plate 16, and the side plate 16 and the side plate 18 are directly connected to each other. Meanwhile, the side plate 12 and the side plate 18 are connected to each other via an adhesive piece 50.

[0082] In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies exemplified in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

Description of Signs

[0083] 10: Packaging container, 12, 14, 16, 18: Side plates, 14a: Second part, 14b: First part, 14c, 18c: Folding lines, 14d, 16d, 18d: Openings, 18a: Fourth part, 18b: Third part, 30, 32: Retaining pieces, 36: End plate, 38: Opening, 46: End plate, BL1: Developed body, X: Object to be packaged

Claims

[Claim 1] A combination of a packaging container and a packaged item, The packaging container comprises: A first side wall having a flat plate shape; a second side wall having a flat plate shape facing the first side wall with a gap therebetween; a third side wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall and connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall; a fourth side wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall and connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall, the fourth side wall facing the third side wall; a retaining piece for retaining a positional relationship between the first side wall and the second side wall, The third side wall is a first portion extending from the first side wall and at least a portion of which is inclined toward the fourth side wall in a direction toward the second side wall; a second portion extending from the second side wall toward the first portion, at least a portion of which is inclined in a direction away from the fourth side wall in a direction from the first portion toward the second side wall; A first opening is disposed across the first portion and the second portion and is capable of holding an item to be packaged. the first portion includes a first edge defining a top edge of the first opening; the second portion includes a second edge defining a top edge of the first opening; The fourth side wall is a third portion extending from the first side wall and at least a portion of which is inclined toward the third side wall in a direction toward the second side wall; a fourth portion extending from the second side wall toward the third portion, at least a portion of which is inclined in a direction away from the third side wall in a direction from the third portion toward the second side wall; A second opening is disposed across the third portion and the fourth portion and is capable of holding the packaged item. the third portion includes a third edge defining an upper edge of the second opening; the fourth portion includes a fourth edge defining an upper edge of the second opening; The retaining piece is a first end plate connected to a lower edge of the second side wall via a bend line, the first end plate being disposed below lower ends of the third side wall and the fourth side wall; a second end plate connected to an upper edge of the second side wall via a fold line, the second end plate being disposed above upper ends of the third side wall and the fourth side wall; The packaged item is accommodated in the packaging container by fitting into the first opening and the second opening, Each of the first opening and the second opening extends from one end of the packaged item to the other end in the vertical direction, Each of the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge faces an upper end of the packaged item, The packaged item is the first end plate and the second end plate are disposed on the inner side of the packaging container relative to the edges of the first end plate and the second end plate, A combination of a packaging container and an item to be packaged, the combination being spaced apart from each of the first side wall and the second side wall.

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