Cushioning materials, packaging

Abstract

To provide a cushioning member which is constituted by fewer cardboard materials, and which can be easily disassembled.SOLUTION: A cushioning member 8 includes: a base part 11; a pair of first cushioning parts 3a; a pair of second cushioning parts 4; and a pair of inclined plate parts 5. The base part 11 has a horizontal base part 1, and a pair of vertical base parts 2a. The pair of second cushioning parts 4 have a pair of vertical cushioning parts 4a and a pair of upper extension parts 4b. The pair of first cushioning parts 3a are connected to lower edges of the pair of vertical base parts 2a respectively, and project to the outside in a first direction. The pair of vertical cushioning parts 4a continue to the pair of first cushioning parts 3a. The pair of upper extension parts 4b are formed by extending upward from the pair of vertical cushioning parts 4a. The pair of inclined plate parts 5 continue to the pair of upper extension parts 3b, are formed along the oblique direction with respect to a second direction, and include engagement parts 5a engaged with edge parts 1a of the horizontal base part 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushioning member that is housed in a packaging box together with a packaged item, and a package including the cushioning member. [Background technology]

[0002] Replacement parts for precision equipment such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines are housed in a packaging box together with a plurality of cushioning materials and distributed as a package. The plurality of cushioning materials are disposed between the packaged product and the packaging box within the packaging box.

[0003] For example, it is known that the cushioning member formed into a three-dimensional shape by folding a plate-like cardboard material is housed in the packaging box together with the package (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-362540 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is preferable that the cushioning member is made of as little cardboard material as possible, and that the cushioning member can be easily disassembled into the cardboard material after use.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning member which is made of less cardboard material and which is easy to dismantle, and a package including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A cushioning member according to one aspect of the present invention is formed into a three-dimensional shape by folding a sheet of cardboard material in a plate shape, and is housed in a packaging box together with a packaged product. The cushioning member has a base having three plate-shaped portions, a pair of first cushioning portions each in a plate shape, a pair of second cushioning portions each in a plate shape, and a pair of inclined plate portions each in a plate shape. The pair of first cushioning portions are connected to the base. The pair of second cushioning portions are connected to the pair of first cushioning portions. The pair of inclined plate portions are connected to the pair of second cushioning portions. The base has a horizontal base and a pair of vertical bases. The horizontal base is a plate-shaped portion along the horizontal direction. The pair of vertical bases are connected to both edges of the horizontal base in a first direction via a pair of first folds along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and are formed to extend downward from the pair of first folds. The pair of first buffer parts are connected to the lower edges of the pair of vertical base parts via a pair of second folds along the second direction, and are formed to extend outward in the first direction from the pair of second folds relative to the pair of vertical base parts. The pair of second buffer parts have a pair of vertical buffer parts and a pair of upper extension parts. The pair of vertical buffer parts are connected to one edge of the pair of first buffer parts in the second direction via a pair of third folds along the first direction, stand upward from the pair of third folds, and are adjacent to the pair of vertical base parts on the outside in the first direction. The pair of upper extension parts are formed to extend upward from the pair of vertical buffer parts to a position higher than the height of the pair of vertical base parts. The pair of inclined plate portions are connected to the inner edges of the pair of upper extending portions in the first direction via a fourth fold line along the vertical direction, and are formed to extend from the fourth fold line along a direction oblique to the second direction, passing above the horizontal base portion to a front region on one side of the horizontal base portion in the second direction, and are connected to each other in the front region via a fifth fold line along the vertical direction. Further, the pair of inclined plate portions include an engagement portion that engages with an edge of the horizontal base portion on the front region side.

[0008] A package according to another aspect of the present invention includes a packaged item, the cushioning material, and a packaging box that contains the packaged item and the cushioning material. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cushioning member and a package including the same which are made of less cardboard material and are easy to dismantle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a package having a cushioning member according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an end portion of a package having a cushioning member according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a development view of the cushioning member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cushioning member according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a three-sided view of the cushioning member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cushioning member according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cushioning member according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Composition of package 10] The cushioning member 8 according to the embodiment constitutes a part of the packaging body 10. The packaging body 10 includes a packaged item 100, two cushioning members 8, and a packaging box 9.

[0013] The packaging box 9 contains the packaged item 100 and the two cushioning members 8. That is, the two cushioning members 8 are contained in the packaging box 9 together with the packaged item 100.

[0014] In the example shown in Fig. 1, package 100 is an inner box that contains replacement parts for an image forming device such as a printer. The inner box is made of cardboard. For example, the replacement parts are a drum unit, a developing unit, or a toner container in an electrophotographic image forming device. The drum unit includes a drum-shaped photoconductor and a charging device that charges the photoconductor.

[0015] The packaging box 9 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the following description, the short side direction of the packaging box 9 is referred to as a first direction D1, and the long side direction of the packaging box 9 is referred to as a second direction D2.

[0016] The packaging box 9 includes a top plate 9a, a pair of first side plates 9b, a pair of second side plates 9c, and a bottom plate. The top plate 9a, the pair of first side plates 9b, and the bottom plate each have a rectangular shape with the second direction D2 as the longitudinal direction.

[0017] The top plate 9a is made up of two flaps connected by adhesive tape or staples, etc. The bottom plate is similarly constructed.

[0018] The pair of first side plates 9b face each other at a distance in the first direction D1, and the pair of second side plates 9c face each other at a distance in the second direction D2.

[0019] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are horizontal directions. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects with the first direction D1. Specifically, the second direction D2 is a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The third direction D3 shown in each drawing is a height direction that is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0020] The package 100 has an upper surface 101, a pair of first side surfaces 102, and a pair of second side surfaces 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The upper surface 101 of the package 100 faces the inner surface of the top plate 9a of the packaging box 9.

[0021] The pair of first side surfaces 102 are side surfaces at both ends in the first direction D1 of the package 100. The pair of first side surfaces 102 face the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the packaging box 9, respectively.

[0022] The pair of second side surfaces 103 are side surfaces at both ends in the second direction D2 of the package 100. The pair of second side surfaces 103 face the inner surfaces of the pair of second side plates 9c of the package box 9, respectively.

[0023] The two cushioning members 8 are disposed between the inner surface of the packaging box 9 and the outer surface of the packaged item 100. As a result, the two cushioning members 8 limit the movement of the packaged item 100 within the packaging box 9, and also cushion the impact that the packaged item 100 receives when the package body 10 is dropped.

[0024] Incidentally, it is preferable that the cushioning member 8 is made of as little cardboard material as possible. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cushioning member 8 can be easily disassembled into the cardboard material after use.

[0025] The cushioning member 8 is made of one sheet of the above-mentioned cardboard material. Furthermore, the cushioning member 8 has a structure that allows it to be easily disassembled. The structure will be described below.

[0026] [Structure of the cushioning member 8] The cushioning member 8 is formed into a three-dimensional shape by folding a single plate-like cardboard material.

[0027] In the development shown in Fig. 3, solid lines indicate contours or cuts in the cardboard material, dashed lines indicate valley folds, and two-dot chain lines indicate mountain folds, and hatched areas in Fig. 3 indicate openings formed in the cardboard material.

[0028] The sheet of cardboard shown in Fig. 3 is folded at the crease. Furthermore, one part of the cardboard is engaged with another part. In this way, the cushioning member 8 is assembled, and the three-dimensional cushioning member 8 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is formed.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two cushioning members 8 are disposed within the packaging box 9 along the inner surfaces of the pair of second side plates 9c.

[0030] The cushioning member 8 has a base 11, a pair of horizontal flanges 3, a pair of second cushioning portions 4, and a pair of inclined plate portions 5 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The base 11 has three plate-like portions formed above and on both sides of the hollow portion 11a. Specifically, the base 11 has a horizontal base 1 formed above the hollow portion 11a. Furthermore, the base 11 has a pair of vertical plate portions 2 formed on both sides of the hollow portion 11a.

[0031] Each of the pair of vertical plate portions 2 includes a vertical base portion 2a and a first front extending portion 2b. That is, the cushioning member 8 has a pair of vertical base portions 2a and a pair of first front extending portions 2b.

[0032] Each of the pair of horizontal flanges 3 includes a first buffer portion 3a, a second front extending portion 3b, and an inward protruding portion 3c. That is, the buffer member 8 has a pair of first buffer portions 3a, a pair of second front extending portions 3b, and a pair of inward protruding portions 3c.

[0033] Each of the pair of second buffer portions 4 includes a vertical buffer portion 4a and an upper extending portion 4b. That is, the buffer member 8 has a pair of vertical buffer portions 4a and a pair of upper extending portions 4b.

[0034] The horizontal base 1 is a flat plate-like portion extending in the horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction is a direction along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal base 1 is disposed along the top surface 101 of the package 100.

[0035] The pair of vertical plate portions 2, the pair of horizontal flange portions 3, the pair of second buffer portions 4 and the pair of inclined plate portions 5 are also each formed in a flat plate shape.

[0036] The pair of vertical base portions 2a are connected to both edges of the horizontal base portion 1 in the first direction D1 via a pair of first folds F1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The pair of first folds F1 are formed along the second direction D2.

[0037] The pair of vertical bases 2a are formed extending downward from the pair of first folds F1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The pair of vertical bases 2a are disposed along the pair of first side surfaces 102 of the package 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).

[0038] The cushioning material 10 is inserted into the packaging box 9 from above so that the end of the packaged item 100 in the packaging box 9 fits into the hollow portion 11a formed by the base 11.

[0039] The pair of first buffer portions 3a are connected to the lower edges of the pair of vertical base portions 2a via a pair of second folds F2 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The pair of second folds F2 are folds along the second direction D2.

[0040] The pair of first buffer portions 3a are formed so as to protrude outward in the first direction D1 from the pair of second folds F2 relative to the pair of vertical base portions 2a (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0041] The pair of first buffer sections 3a are disposed between the pair of first side surfaces 102 of the packaged item 100 and the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the package box 9 (see FIG. 2). In the package 10, the outer ends of the pair of first buffer sections 3a in the first direction D1 contact the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the package box 9.

[0042] The pair of vertical buffer sections 4a are connected to one edge of the pair of first buffer sections 3a in the second direction D2 via a pair of third folds F3 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The pair of third folds F3 are folds that extend along the first direction D1.

[0043] The pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are connected to one edge of the pair of first buffer parts 3a in the second direction D2 via a pair of third folds F3 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The third folds F3 are folds along the first direction D1. The pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are erected upward from the pair of third folds F3.

[0044] The pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are formed extending upward from the pair of third folds F3 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are adjacent to the pair of vertical base parts 2a on the outer sides in the first direction D1.

[0045] The pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are disposed between the pair of vertical base parts 2a and the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the packaging box 9 (see FIG. 6). That is, the pair of vertical base parts 2a and the pair of vertical buffer parts 4a are disposed between the pair of first side surfaces 102 of the packaged item 100 and the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the packaging box 9.

[0046] In the packaging body 10, the outer ends of the pair of vertical buffer parts 4a in the first direction D1 are in contact with the pair of first side plates 9b of the packaging box 9. The inner ends of the pair of vertical buffer parts 4a in the first direction D1 are in contact with the pair of vertical base parts 2a. The upper ends of the pair of upper extension parts 4b are in contact with the top plate 9a of the packaging box 9.

[0047] The pair of upper extending portions 4b are formed to extend upward from the pair of vertical buffer portions 4a to a position higher than the height of the pair of vertical base portions 2a (see Figs. 4 to 6). That is, the pair of upper extending portions 4b are formed to extend upward from the pair of vertical buffer portions 4a to a position higher than the pair of first folds F1.

[0048] The pair of upper extending portions 4b are formed so as to wrap around the pair of vertical base portions 2a from the outer regions to the inner regions in the first direction D1 (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

[0049] A pair of slits 1x are formed in the horizontal base 1 along the first direction D1 (see Figs. 4 and 7). The pair of upper extending portions 4b have a pair of fitting portions 4x that fit into the pair of slits 1x. Each fitting portion 4x is a lower edge portion of a portion of the upper extending portion 4b that is formed by wrapping around the inner region of the pair of vertical bases 2a.

[0050] The pair of inclined plate portions 5 are connected to the inner edges of the pair of upper extending portions 4b in the first direction D1 via fourth folds F4 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The fourth folds F4 are folds along the vertical direction. That is, the fourth folds F4 are formed along the third direction D3.

[0051] The pair of inclined plate portions 5 are formed to extend in a direction oblique to the second direction D2 from the fourth fold F4 to the upper part of the horizontal base portion 1 to the front region A1 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The front region A1 is a region on one side of the horizontal base portion 1 in the second direction D2. In the packaging body 10, the upper ends of the pair of inclined plate portions 5 are in contact with the top plate 9a of the packaging box 9.

[0052] The pair of inclined plate portions 5 are connected to each other via a fifth fold F5 along the vertical direction in the front region A1 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The pair of inclined plate portions 5 include an engagement portion 5a that engages with the edge portion 1a of the horizontal base portion 1 on the front region A1 side (see Figs. 4 to 6).

[0053] The pair of first front extending portions 2b are formed to extend from the pair of vertical base portions 2a to the front region A1 along the second direction D2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0054] The pair of third buffer portions 6 are connected to the upper edges of the pair of first front extending portions 2b via sixth folds F6 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The sixth folds F6 are folds that extend along the second direction D2.

[0055] The pair of third buffer sections 6 are formed in the front region A1 and extend obliquely downward from the sixth fold F6 (see FIG. 5). The pair of third buffer sections 6 are connected to each other via a seventh fold F7 that extends along the second direction D2.

[0056] The pair of third buffer sections 6 are disposed between one of the pair of second side surfaces 103 of the packaged item 100 and one of the inner surfaces of the pair of second side plates 9c of the packaging box 9 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).

[0057] The pair of second front extensions 3b are formed extending from the pair of first buffer parts 3a to the front area A1 along the second direction D2 (see Figs. 4, 5, and 7). The pair of second front extensions 3b are connected to the lower edges of the pair of first front extensions 2b via a pair of eighth folds F8 (see Fig. 5). The eighth folds F8 are folds along the second direction D2.

[0058] The pair of second front extensions 3b are lower than the pair of vertical bases 2a (see Figs. 4 and 5). That is, the height from the second fold F2 to the first fold F1 is lower than the height from the eighth fold F8 to the sixth fold F6.

[0059] The pair of inward protrusions 3c are formed extending downward from the pair of second front extending portions 3b to the pair of third buffer portions 6 (FIGS. 4 to 7). The lower edges of the pair of first front extending portions 2b are formed with notches 2x through which the pair of inward protrusions 3c penetrate (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 7).

[0060] By using the cushioning members 8, it is possible to easily disassemble each of the cushioning members 8 into a single sheet of cardboard material simply by releasing the engagement between the engagement portion 5a and the edge portion 1a of the horizontal base 1.

[0061] 1, 2, 4 to 7 show the first fold F1, the second fold F2 and the eighth fold F8 as if they are right angles for the sake of convenience. However, when the cushioning material 8 is in its natural state where it is not subjected to external force, the angles between the first fold F1, the second fold F2 and the eighth fold F8 are obtuse angles.

[0062] Therefore, in the natural state, the cushioning member 8 is formed to be wider in the first direction D1 than the shape shown in each drawing. When the cushioning member 8 is in the natural state, the outer dimension of the cushioning member 8 in the first direction D1 is larger than the inner dimension of the packaging box 9 in the first direction D1.

[0063] When the buffer member 8 is in the natural state, the engagement portion 5a is engaged with the edge portion 1a of the horizontal base portion 1.

[0064] Then, by gripping the pair of vertical plate portions 2 with hands, the cushioning member 8 contracts in the first direction D1. This allows the cushioning member 8 to be easily inserted into the packaging box 9.

[0065] Then, after the cushioning member 8 is inserted into the packaging box 9, the hand is released from the pair of vertical plate portions 2. This causes the cushioning member 8 to expand in the first direction D1 due to its elasticity. At that time, the cushioning member 8 expands in the first direction D1 until the outer ends of the pair of first cushioning portions 3a in the first direction D1 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the pair of first side plates 9b of the packaging box 9.

[0066] Furthermore, when the buffer member 8 is inserted into the packaging box 9 while being contracted in the first direction D1, the pair of second buffer parts 4 approach each other, and the pair of inclined plate parts 5 are displaced toward the pair of third buffer parts 6. As a result, the engagement between the engagement part 5a and the edge part 1a of the horizontal base part 1 is released.

[0067] The cushioning member 8 is fitted between the packaged item 100 and the packaging box 9. As a result, the deformation of the cushioning member 8 is restricted by the packaged item 100 and the packaging box 9.

[0068] Meanwhile, when the cushioning member 8 is removed from within the packaging box 9, the pair of inclined plate portions 5 are picked up by hand. Furthermore, the hand picking up the pair of inclined plate portions 5 is lifted up. As a result, the cushioning member 8 is lifted out of the packaging box 9 with the engagement between the engagement portion 5a and the edge portion 1a of the horizontal base 1 released. As a result, the cushioning member 8 is unfolded at the time when it is lifted out of the packaging box 9. Therefore, no special dismantling work is required.

[0069] Furthermore, each of the cushioning members 8 is made of one sheet of the cardboard material, which makes it easy to handle the cardboard material after dismantling.

[0070] Furthermore, the pair of vertical base portions 2a, the pair of first buffer portions 3a, and the pair of vertical buffer portions 4a perform a buffering function for the packaged item 100 in the first direction D1.

[0071] Furthermore, the fitting structure of the pair of slits 1x and the pair of fitting portions 4x holds the pair of upper extending portions 4b at a desired position.

[0072] Furthermore, the horizontal base 1 and the pair of inclined plate portions 5 perform a cushioning function for the packaged item 100 in the upward direction. Similarly, the portions of the pair of upper extension portions 4b located in the inner region with respect to the pair of vertical base portions 2a also perform a cushioning function for the packaged item 100 in the upward direction.

[0073] Furthermore, the pair of third buffer portions 6 perform a buffering function for the packaged item 100 in the second direction D2. Similarly, the pair of inward protruding portions 3c also perform a buffering function for the packaged item 100 in the second direction D2.

[0074] In addition, the ridge line portion along the first direction D1 formed by the third fold F3 reinforces the first buffer portion 3a and the vertical buffer portion 4a in the first direction D1, so that the first buffer portion 3a and the vertical buffer portion 4a exhibit appropriate buffering properties in the first direction D1.

[0075] Similarly, the ridge line portion along the second direction D2 formed by the seventh fold F7 reinforces the pair of third buffer parts 6 in the second direction D2, thereby allowing the pair of third buffer parts 6 to exhibit appropriate buffering properties in the second direction D2.

[0076] Similarly, the ridge line portion along the third direction D3 formed by the fourth fold F4 reinforces the upper extension portion 4b and the inclined plate portion 5 in the third direction D3. This allows the upper extension portion 4b and the inclined plate portion 5 to exhibit appropriate cushioning properties in the third direction D1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1: Horizontal base 1x :Slit 2: Vertical plate section 2a: Vertical base 2b: First front extension part 2x: chipped part 3: Side collar 3a: 1st buffer section 3b: 2nd front extension part 3c: Inner overhang 4:Second buffer section 4a: Vertical buffer section 4b: Upper extension part 4x: Inset part 5: Inclined plate part 5a: Engagement part 6:Third buffer section 8: Cushioning material 9: Packing box 10: Packaging 11: Base 100: Packaging A1: Anterior area D1: 1st direction D2 :Second direction F1: First fold F2: Second fold F3: Third fold F4: 4th fold F5: Fifth fold F6: 6th fold F7: 7th fold F8: 8th fold

Claims

1. A cushioning member formed into a three-dimensional shape by folding a single sheet of cardboard material and housed in a packaging box together with a packaged item, A base having three plate-like portions formed above and on both sides of a hollow portion; A pair of first buffer portions each having a plate shape and connected to the base portion; A pair of plate-shaped second buffer portions connected to the pair of first buffer portions; A pair of inclined plate portions each having a plate shape are connected to the pair of second buffer portions, The base portion is A plate-shaped horizontal base portion extending in the horizontal direction; a pair of plate-shaped vertical base portions each connected to both edges of the horizontal base portion in a first direction via a pair of first folds along a second direction intersecting the first direction and extending downward from the pair of first folds; The pair of first buffer portions are connected to lower edges of the pair of vertical base portions via a pair of second folds along the second direction, and are formed to protrude outward in the first direction from the pair of second folds relative to the pair of vertical base portions, The pair of second buffer portions include a pair of vertical buffer portions that are connected to one edge of the pair of first buffer portions in the second direction via a pair of third folds along the first direction, stand upward from the pair of third folds, and are adjacent to the pair of vertical base portions on the outer side in the first direction; a pair of upper extensions formed by extending upward from the pair of vertical buffer parts to a position higher than the height of the pair of vertical base parts; The pair of inclined plate portions are connected to the inner edges of the pair of upper extending portions in the first direction via fourth folds along the vertical direction, and are formed to extend from the fourth folds along a direction oblique to the second direction, passing above the horizontal base, to a front region on one side of the horizontal base in the second direction, and are connected to each other in the front region via fifth folds along the vertical direction, The pair of inclined plate portions further includes an engagement portion that engages with an edge portion of the horizontal base portion on the front region side.

2. A pair of first front extension portions extending from the pair of vertical base portions to the front region along the second direction; The cushioning member described in claim 1, further comprising a pair of third cushioning portions connected to the upper edges of the pair of first front extending portions via a sixth fold along the second direction, formed extending diagonally downward from the sixth fold in the front region, and connected to each other via a seventh fold along the second direction.

3. a pair of second front extending portions that are formed extending from the pair of first buffer portions along the second direction to the front region and are connected to lower edges of the pair of first front extending portions via a pair of eighth folds along the second direction; The cushioning member according to claim 2 , further comprising a pair of inward protruding portions formed by extending from the pair of second front extending portions downwardly of the pair of third cushioning portions.

4. A pair of slits are formed in the horizontal base along the first direction, The cushioning member according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper extending portions has a pair of fitting portions that fit into the pair of slits.

5. Packaging and The cushioning member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A packaging body having a packaging box that contains the package and the cushioning material.

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