Cushioning material, method for manufacturing cushioning material, and cushioning mechanism

Abstract

A buffering material (10) is provided with: square pipes (11, 12) having arrangement parts (111, 121) where an object (600) to be protected or a member into which the object (600) is fitted is arranged and buffering surfaces (110, 112, 120, 122) supporting and opposed to the arrangement parts (111, 121); and a base (13) on which the square pipes (11, 12) are arranged. Further, the buffering material (10) is formed of a biodegradable sheet. The buffering surfaces (110, 112, 120, 122) have opening parts (1108, 1128, 1208) and bending parts (115, 116, 125, 126) extending from the opening parts (1108, 1128, 1208). Each of the buffering surfaces (110, 112, 120, 122) bends and stretches in both a direction in which the arrangement parts (111, 121) approach the base (13) and a direction in which the arrangement parts (111, 121) move away from the base (13) due to the action of the bending parts (115, 116, 125, 126).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a buffer material, a method for manufacturing the buffer material, and a buffer mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] When transporting, storing, etc. an article, in order to prevent damage to the article, it may be packed using a buffer material made of plastic as a raw material. However, after using a buffer material made of plastic, when disposing of the unnecessary buffer material, there is a problem in directly landfill treating it because plastic is hardly decomposable. Also, when incinerating, harmful substances may be generated. Therefore, general plastic buffer materials have problems regarding disposal after use.

[0003] In order to address such problems, buffer materials made of paper materials with a small environmental load at the time of disposal have been developed. For example, the buffer material described in Patent Document 1 is formed of cardboard, and cuts are formed on opposite side surfaces of a horizontally placed square tube. When the square tube receives an impact, the cuts open and the side surfaces bend to buffer the impact.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The method of forming cuts in cardboard sheets does not provide sufficient elasticity to the sides of the cushioning material, and therefore high cushioning performance cannot be obtained. Furthermore, if the sides buckle due to a large impact, there is no recovery force, so it cannot withstand repeated impacts and recoils. For this reason, high cushioning performance cannot be expected. In addition, when an impact is applied, stress concentrates at the ends of the cuts, cracks propagate from the ends, the square tube may break, and the cushioning performance may decrease.

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide a cushioning material and cushioning mechanism that can reduce the environmental burden during disposal and have high cushioning performance, as well as a method for manufacturing the cushioning material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the cushioning material according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of tubes, each having a support portion for supporting an object to be protected, a plurality of cushioning surfaces that support the support portion and face each other, and a base on which the plurality of tubes are arranged, and is formed from a biodegradable sheet. The plurality of cushioning surfaces have openings and a plurality of bent portions extending from the openings, and the plurality of cushioning surfaces bend and extend in directions toward and toward the support portion due to the action of the bent portions. Furthermore, each of the multiple tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar placement section, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the placement section, and a contact surface that abuts against a base. The contact surface and the base are provided with tongues located inside the open ends of the rectangular tubes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when an impact is applied to the cushioning material, the bendable portion extending from the opening of the cushioning surface easily bends when the cushioning material is subjected to impact, thereby cushioning the impact. Furthermore, by releasing the stress concentrated in the opening to the bendable portion, damage to the opening can be suppressed, and the cushioning performance of the cushioning material can be maintained at a high level. In addition, since the cushioning material is formed from a biodegradable sheet, the environmental burden can be reduced even when the cushioning material is disposed of in a landfill. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1A] Perspective view of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, as seen from the +Y direction. [Figure 1B] Perspective view of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, as seen from the -Y direction. [Figure 2A] A perspective view from the +Y direction illustrating the details of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2B] Details of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure - Perspective view from the Y direction [Figure 3] Developed view of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure [Figure 4A] This figure illustrates the structure of the rectangular tube of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 4B] This figure illustrates the structure of the rectangular tube of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 1A or 1B illustrates the state of the VV cross-section of the cushioning material when it is bent. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the packaging cushioning mechanism with the lid portion of the packaging box omitted, according to usage form 1. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the packaging cushioning mechanism related to usage form 2. [Figure 8A] Perspective view of the packaging cushioning mechanism related to usage form 3. [Figure 8B] Perspective view of a packaging box using the packaging cushioning mechanism related to usage form 3. [Figure 9] Developed view of the cushioning material according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure [Figure 10] Perspective view of the buffer mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure [Figure 11] Perspective view of the buffer mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure [Figure 12] A perspective view showing the buffering mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure in a state where it is housed in a packaging box while protecting the object to be protected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The cushioning material, the method for manufacturing the cushioning material, and the cushioning mechanism related to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] For ease of understanding, a rectangular coordinate system XYZ is set. In the rectangular coordinate system XYZ shown in each figure, the bending and stretching direction of the cushioning material according to the embodiment is the Z-axis direction, the direction in which the cushioning materials are arranged is the X-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is the Y-axis direction. The stress applied to the cushioning material has a Z-axis direction component. Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described by appropriately referring to this coordinate system.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] The cushioning material 10 according to Embodiment 1 is intended to protect protected objects such as precision instruments and ceramics that may be damaged during transportation, storage, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cushioning material 10 according to Embodiment 1 includes two adjacent corner tubes 11 and 12, and a pedestal 13 that holds the corner tubes 11 and 12. In accordance with the stepped shape of the bottom surface of the protected object 600 shown in FIG. 1A, the heights of the corner tubes 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction are different.

[0013] The cushioning material 10 is formed by assembling a paper sheet 20, which is a single blank sheet shown in FIG. 3. The cushioning material 10 and the paper sheet 20 are composed of biodegradable sheets such as corrugated paper and cardboard.

[0014] The corner tube 11 has an arrangement portion 111 where the protected object 600 is arranged, buffer surfaces 110 and 112 that bear the bending and stretching movement of the corner tube 11, and a contact surface 113 arranged on the pedestal 13. Openings 1108 and 1128 and bending portions 115 and 116 are respectively formed on the buffer surfaces 110 and 112, and they are bendable and elastic.

[0015] The corner tube 12 has an arrangement portion 121 where the protected object 600 is arranged, buffer surfaces 120 and 122 that bear the bending and stretching movement of the corner tube 12, and a contact surface 123 arranged on the pedestal 13. Openings 1208 and 1228 and bending portions 125 and 126 are respectively formed on the buffer surfaces 120 and 122, and they are bendable and elastic.

[0016] The pedestal 13 integrally mounts the corner tubes 11 and 12.

[0017] Refer to Figures 1A to 3 to explain the structure and function of the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 in more detail.

[0018] The arrangement portion 111 of the rectangular tube 11 is connected and supported at the -X side end by the buffer surface 110, and at the +X side end by the buffer surface 112, on which the object to be protected 600 is placed.

[0019] The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 form the sides of the rectangular tube 11 and are arranged parallel to each other. The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 each have hexagonal openings 1108 and 1128, respectively. The centers of the openings 1108 and 1128 coincide with the centers of the buffer surfaces 110 and 112. From each vertex of the opening 1108, valley fold lines 1101, 1102, 1105, 1106 and mountain fold lines 1103, 1104, which constitute the bent portion 115, extend to the end of the buffer surface 110. Similarly, from each vertex of the opening 1128, valley fold lines 1121, 1122, 1125, 1126 and mountain fold lines 1203, 1204, which constitute the bent portion 116, extend to the end of the buffer surface 112. The valley fold lines 1101, 1102, 1105, and 1106 are formed parallel to the valley fold lines 1121, 1122, 1125, and 1126, respectively. The mountain fold lines 1103 and 1104 are formed parallel to the mountain fold lines 1123 and 1124, respectively. In addition, each valley fold line extends to the vertex of the buffer surface 110 or 112, and each mountain fold line extends to the midpoint of the short side of the buffer surface 110 or 112.

[0020] In this disclosure, valley folds and mountain folds are defined based on the folding method of each fold line of the paper sheet 20 shown in Figure 3. A valley fold is defined as folding the parts on both sides of each fold line of the paper sheet 20 upwards, and a mountain fold is defined as folding the parts on both sides of the fold line downwards from the sheet surface. Therefore, when the finished cushioning material 10 is observed from the outside, the folds that protrude outwards are valley folds, and the folds that protrude inwards are mountain folds.

[0021] Valley fold lines 1101, 1102 and mountain fold line 1103 are formed in a straight line, each spanning valley fold lines 1106, 1105 and mountain fold line 1104 and the opening 1108. Valley fold lines 1121, 1122 and mountain fold line 1123 are formed in a straight line, each spanning valley fold lines 1126, 1125 and mountain fold line 1124 and the opening 1128. Valley fold lines 1101, 1105 and mountain fold line 1103 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of valley fold lines 1106, 1102 and mountain fold line 1104 and the opening 1108. Valley fold lines 1121, 1125 and mountain fold line 1123 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of valley fold lines 1126, 1122 and mountain fold line 1124 and the opening 1128. Furthermore, the valley fold lines 1101, 1105 and the mountain fold line 1103 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line segment extending along the Z-axis that passes through the center point of the opening 1108 and the valley fold lines 1102, 1106 and the mountain fold line 1104. The valley fold lines 1121, 1125 and the mountain fold line 1123 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line segment extending along the Z-axis that passes through the center point of the opening 1128 and the valley fold lines 1122, 1126 and the mountain fold line 1124. Thus, the buffer surface 110 is divided into two identical trapezoidal sub-sections and four identical triangular sub-sections.

[0022] The bent portions 115 and 116 are formed by applying pressure to linear positions on the paper sheet 20, for example, to form a V-shaped recess in cross-section, as shown by the mountain fold line 1104 in Figure 2A.

[0023] The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 support the mounting portion 111 at their +Z-direction ends. The buffer surface 110 is connected to the base portion 131 which constitutes the pedestal at its -Z-direction end. The buffer surface 112 is connected to the contact surface 113 at its -Z-direction end.

[0024] The buffer surface 110 has a fitting hole 1109 into which the projection 1134 of the contact surface 113 is inserted and fitted. The rectangular tube 11 is formed when the projection 1134 is fitted into the fitting hole 1109.

[0025] The contact surface 113 has tongues 1131 and 1133 formed on it, which, together with the tongues 1311 and 1313 of the base 13 (described later), fix the rectangular tube 11 to the base 13. The tongues may also be called protruding parts, folded parts, folded parts, flap parts, locking parts, etc. The tongues 1131, 1133, 1311, and 1313 are formed on the open ends of the ±Y direction ends of the rectangular tube 11 or 12.

[0026] The arrangement portion 121 of the rectangular tube 12 has its +X side end connected to and supported by the buffer surface 120, and its -X side end connected to and supported by the buffer surface 122, on which the object to be protected 600 is placed.

[0027] The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 form the sides of the rectangular tube 12 and are arranged parallel to each other. The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 each have hexagonal openings 1208 and 1228, respectively. The centers of the openings 1208 and 1228 coincide with the centers of the buffer surfaces 120 and 122. From each vertex of the opening 1208, valley fold lines 1201, 1202, 1205, 1206 and mountain fold lines 1203, 1204, which constitute the bent portion 125, extend to the end of the buffer surface 120. Similarly, from each vertex of the opening 1228, valley fold lines 1221, 1222, 1225, 1226 and mountain fold lines 1223, 1224, which constitute the bent portion 126, extend to the end of the buffer surface 122. The valley fold lines 1201, 1202, 1205, and 1206 are formed parallel to the valley fold lines 1221, 1222, 1225, and 1226, respectively. The mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204 are formed parallel to the mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204, respectively. In addition, each valley fold line extends to the vertex of the buffer surface 120 or 122, and each mountain fold line extends to the midpoint of the short side of the buffer surface 120 or 122.

[0028] Valley fold lines 1201, 1202 and mountain fold line 1203 are formed in a straight line, each spanning valley fold lines 1206, 1205 and mountain fold line 1204 and the opening 1208. Valley fold lines 1221, 1222 and mountain fold line 1223 are formed in a straight line, each spanning valley fold lines 1226, 1225 and mountain fold line 1224 and the opening 1228. Valley fold lines 1201, 1205 and mountain fold line 1203 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of valley fold lines 1206, 1202 and mountain fold line 1204 and the opening 1208. Valley fold lines 1221, 1225 and mountain fold line 1223 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of valley fold lines 1226, 1222 and mountain fold line 1224 and the opening 1228. Furthermore, the valley fold lines 1201, 1205 and the mountain fold line 1203 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line segment extending along the Z-axis that passes through the center point of the valley fold lines 1202, 1206 and the mountain fold line 1204 and the opening 1208. The valley fold lines 1221, 1225 and the mountain fold line 1223 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line segment extending along the Z-axis that passes through the center point of the valley fold lines 1222, 1226 and the mountain fold line 1224 and the opening 1228. Thus, the buffer surface 120 is divided into two trapezoidal sub-sections of the same shape and four identical triangular sub-sections. The bent portions 125 and 126 are formed by applying pressure to linear positions on the paper sheet 20 to create small recesses.

[0029] The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 support the placement portion 121 at their +Z direction ends. The buffer surface 120 is connected to the base portion 132 that constitutes the base 13 at its -Z direction end. The buffer surface 122 is connected to the contact surface 1 at its -Z direction end. 2 It is connected to 3.

[0030] The buffer surface 120 has a fitting hole 1209 into which the projection 1234 of the contact surface 123 is inserted and fitted. The rectangular tube 12 is formed when the projection 1234 is fitted into the fitting hole 1209.

[0031] The contact surface 123 has tongues 1231 and 1233 formed in a flared shape, which, together with the tongues 1321 and 1323 of the base 13 (described later), secure the rectangular tube 12 to the base 13.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 3, the base 13 has base portions 131 and 132 that contact the contact surfaces 113 and 123, respectively. With the base portion 131 in contact with the contact surface 113, the rectangular tube 11 is fixed to the base 13 by valley folding along the valley fold lines 1310, 1312, 1130, and 1132 of the tongue portions 1311 and 1313, which are formed in a flared shape at the open end of the rectangular tube 11 and between the buffer surfaces 110 and 112, respectively, thereby forming folded-back portions 11B and 11C. The base portion 132, while in contact with the contact surface 123, fixes the rectangular tube 12 to the base 13 by valley folding along the valley fold lines 1320, 1322, 1230, and 1232 of the tongue portions 1321 and 1323, which are the open ends of the rectangular tube 12 and are located between the buffer surfaces 120 and 122, respectively, thereby forming folded-over portions 12B and 12C. Furthermore, the folded-over portions 11B, 11C and 12B, 12C can suppress shear deformation of the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 in the X-axis direction due to impacts during transport.

[0033] The cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122 are set to have an appropriate cushioning force for protecting the object to be protected 600 by adjusting the material, thickness, number, structure, size, position and number of bends, and position and number of openings of the paper sheets 20 used in the cushioning material 10.

[0034] Next, we will explain the bending and extending motion of the cushioning material 10.

[0035] Figure 5 is a simplified end view of the area around the buffer surface 110 when the VV line in Figure 1A is bent. The bent structure formed on the buffer surface 110 is called the buffer section 100. Here, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the buffer surface 110 is divided into small sections 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004 in the VV line by the bent section 115, i.e., the valley fold lines 1102, 1106 and the mountain fold line 1104. As shown in Figure 5, let θ0 be the angle ∠ABC that the arrangement section 111 and small section 1001 make with the valley fold line 1100 as their vertex. Let θ1 be the angle ∠BCD that the small section 1001 and small section 1002 make with the valley fold line 1102 as their vertex, and let θ2 be the angle ∠CDE that the small section 1002 and small section 1003 make with the mountain fold line 1104 as their vertex. Let θ3 be the angle ∠DEF formed by the small cut surfaces 1003 and 1004 with the valley fold line 1106 as its vertex, and let θ4 be the angle ∠EFG formed by the small cut surface 1004 and the contact surface 113 with the valley fold line 1107 as its vertex.

[0036] θ0, θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 each take values ​​between 0° and 180°.

[0037] When the object to be protected 600 is placed on it, a force is applied to the placement section 111 in the -Z axis direction. As a result, the bend of the valley fold line 1100 becomes shallower and θ0 becomes larger, the bend of the valley fold line 1102 becomes deeper and θ1 becomes smaller. Furthermore, the bend of the mountain fold line 1104 becomes deeper and θ2 becomes smaller. Then, the bend of the valley fold line 1106 becomes deeper and θ3 becomes smaller, and the bend of the valley fold line 1107 becomes shallower and θ4 becomes larger.

[0038] In this way, the impact energy applied to the cushioning material 10 from the +Z direction to the -Z direction bends the valley fold lines 1100, 1102, mountain fold line 1104, valley fold lines 1106, 1107 of the cushioning section 100, converting it into elastic energy, and a portion of it is consumed as plastic deformation energy. In this way, the impact applied to the cushioning material 10 is mitigated. It should be noted that even when the relationship between mountain folds and valley folds of the bent sections constituting the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, 122 is reversed, as will be described later in the modified example, the impact can be mitigated by a similar bending and stretching motion.

[0039] Similarly, on the buffer surfaces 112, 120, and 122, the impact energy is converted into elastic energy, and a portion of it is consumed as plastic deformation energy. In this way, the impact applied to the buffer material 10 is mitigated across the entire buffer surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122. This protects the object to be protected 600.

[0040] Next, a method for manufacturing the cushioning material 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0041] Figure 3 is an unfolded view of a blank paper sheet 20 for manufacturing the cushioning material 10. During the manufacturing of the paper sheet 20, valley fold lines and mountain fold lines are provided to form the outer shape and opening of the cushioning material 10, as shown in Figure 3, and the cut lines are cut.

[0042] First, the worker forms fitting holes 1109, 1209 and openings 1108, 1128, 1208, 1228 in the paper sheet 20. Then, the worker folds the paper sheet 20 along the valley fold lines 1120, 1127, and 1100, so that the paper sheet 20 is in the state shown in Figure 4A, where the end face shape is viewed in the +Y direction. Next, the projection 1134 is fitted into the fitting hole 1109 to form the fitting portion 11A. Then, the valley fold line 1107 is folded and brought into contact with the base portion 131, so that the rectangular tube 11 is formed as shown in Figure 4B.

[0043] Next, the valley fold lines 1227, 1220, and 1200 are folded inwards. The projection 1234 is fitted into the fitting hole 1209 to form the fitting portion 12A. The valley fold line 1207 is folded inwards and brought into contact with the base portion 132 to form the rectangular tube 12.

[0044] Next, the tongue portions 1131 and 1311 are folded along valley fold lines 1130 and 1310, respectively, and folded back into the tube to form the folded portion 11B. Similarly, the tongue portions 1133 and 1313 are folded along valley fold lines 1132 and 1312, respectively, and folded back into the tube to form the folded portion 11C. This fixes the rectangular tube 11 to the base 13. Folded portions 12B and 12C are formed in the same manner. This fixes the rectangular tube 12 to the base 13.

[0045] In this way, the cushioning material 10 is formed.

[0046] As described above, according to the cushioning material 10 of this embodiment, openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 are formed in the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122, respectively. Furthermore, bent portions 115, 116, 125, and 126 extend from the vertices of the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 to the ends of the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122. Therefore, when the cushioning material 10 is subjected to impact, load, etc., from the placement portions 111, 121 toward the base 13, the energy from the impact is stored as elastic energy due to the bending and extending of the bent portions 115, 116, 125, and 126, and is consumed as plastic deformation energy due to plastic deformation. Thus, the impact applied to the protected object 600 is mitigated. Furthermore, by releasing the stress concentrated at the vertices of the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 to the bent sections 115 and 125, damage to the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 can be suppressed, and the cushioning performance of the cushioning material 10 can be maintained. In addition, the mountain folds and valley folds that constitute the bent sections 115, 116, 125, and 126 formed on each cushioning surface are formed parallel to the mountain folds and valley folds formed on the opposing cushioning surface, so they can be easily bent and extended when impact, load, etc. are applied. Also, the valley folds and mountain folds that constitute the bent sections 115 and 125 are formed in a direction that intersects with other valley folds and mountain folds on each cushioning surface. Therefore, when bent, plastic deformation is less likely to occur, and high cushioning performance can be maintained. Furthermore, since the cushioning material 10 is formed from a biodegradable sheet, even when the cushioning material 10 is disposed of by landfill treatment after use, the environmental burden can be suppressed.

[0047] Next, we will describe the configuration in which the cushioning material 10 is used.

[0048] (Usage form 1) First, in Usage Form 1, as illustrated in Figure 6 by omitting the lid portion of the packaging box 500 and viewing the packaging box 500 transparently, multiple cushioning materials 10 are placed between the packaging box 500 and the object to be protected 600 to constitute the cushioning mechanism 300. The cushioning material 10 is placed in the corner of the packaging box 500 in an L-shape by folding the center of the base 13, as in cushioning form 301. In addition, other cushioning materials 10 are placed on top of the object to be protected 600 without folding the base 13, as in cushioning form 302.

[0049] In this way, by appropriately placing the cushioning material 10 between the packaging box 500 and the object to be protected 600, the cushioning mechanism 300 can protect the object to be protected 600 from impacts from various directions. Note that the cushioning material 10 may also be placed in locations other than those shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, the desired cushioning force is set by adjusting the material, thickness, and structure of the paper sheet 20 used for the cushioning material 10, the size of the cushioning material 10, the position and number of fold lines provided on the cushioning material 10, and the position and number of openings. Note that in usage configuration 1-3, for ease of understanding, the height from the base 13 to the placement section 111, 121 of the rectangular tubes 11, 12 of the cushioning material 10 is equal.

[0050] (Usage form 2) Next, as shown in Figure 7 with a transparent view of the packaging box 500, in usage configuration 2, two cushioning materials 10 are placed at the bottom of the packaging box 500, and the object to be protected 600 is placed on a connecting plate 510 between the two cushioning materials 10 to constitute the cushioning mechanism 310. This allows the cushioning mechanism 310 to protect a heavier or more shock-sensitive object to be protected 600. Alternatively, the object to be protected 600 can be protected by cushioning materials 10 that are considerably smaller than the object to be protected 600.

[0051] As shown in usage configurations 1 and 2, by arranging the necessary number of cushioning materials 10 on the top, bottom, left, right, and corners of the object to be transported, when acceleration acts on the object due to the dropping or collision of the packaging box, each cushioning material 10 of the cushioning mechanisms 300 and 310 compresses, accumulating kinetic energy in the form of elastic energy. This reduces the impact applied to the object to be protected 600.

[0052] (Usage form 3) When sufficient cushioning force cannot be obtained by using only one cushioning material 10 or in the manner of use 2, the cushioning mechanism 321 shown in Figure 8A is used. As shown in Figure 8A, the cushioning mechanism 321 is formed by stacking three cushioning materials 10 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figure 8B, the cushioning mechanism 321 is placed on the bottom surface of the packaging box 500, and the object to be protected 600 is placed on top of it for use. Note that in Figure 8B, for ease of understanding, the packaging box 500 is shown. By displaying it transparently, the cushioning material 10, the object to be protected 600, etc., which are placed inside the packaging box 500 are illustrated.

[0053] According to the cushioning mechanism 321, a greater cushioning force can be obtained by stacking the cushioning material 10 in three layers than when using a single cushioning material 10. This is suitable when there is a risk of a greater impact than in the case of usage form 1, or when protecting an object to be protected 600 that is vulnerable to impact. It can also be used to eliminate space in the Z-axis direction when the object to be protected 600 is stored in the packaging box 500.

[0054] The cushioning mechanism 321 allows for an increase in the number of spring elements by stacking cushioning materials 10 of the same shape. Therefore, if the cushioning performance of a single cushioning material 10 is insufficient, the cushioning performance can be easily adjusted by using the cushioning mechanism 321. Furthermore, if there is excess space after the protected object 600 is placed in the packaging box 500, the excess space can be eliminated by placing the cushioning mechanism 321. This helps to suppress damage and scratches to the protected object 600 caused by movement within the packaging box 500 during transport.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 and Usage Modes 1-3, an example was given in which multiple cushioning materials 10, formed by molding paper sheets 20 into a tubular shape, are combined and placed inside a packaging box 500. However, in Embodiment 2, a cushioning mechanism 41 shown in Figure 10, formed from a single paper sheet 40 as shown in Figure 9, will be described. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cushioning mechanism 41 comprises cushioning structures 401 and 402 having a structure similar to the cushioning material 10, and a cushioning structure 403 connecting the cushioning structures 401 and 402. In this embodiment, the XYZ Cartesian coordinates shown in Figure 10 are set and referred to as appropriate. Also, as shown in Figure 10, for ease of understanding, the shape of the object to be protected 600 is a rectangular parallelepiped, but it is suitable for protecting objects that have a large chamfer on one of the corners of the cross-section perpendicular to the long side, such as the indoor unit of a wall-mounted room air conditioner. Furthermore, the position of the flap, which will be described later, may be any of the positions shown in Figures 9-11, or a position other than those shown in Figures 9-11.

[0056] The cushioning structures 401 and 402 differ from the cushioning material 10 in that the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 are spaced apart from each other, the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 are connected to the cushioning structure 403, and the protruding parts of the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 are fitted into the base 13 at two points each and fixed to the base 13.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, projections 1129, 1134, 1229, and 1234 are formed in the center of the long sides of the buffer surfaces 112, 122 and the contact surfaces 113, 123. Fitting holes 1319 and 1329 are formed near the center of the base portions 131 and 132 of the base 13. The projections 1129, 1134, 1229, and 1234 are fitted into the fitting holes 1319, 1109, 1329, and 1209, respectively, thereby firmly fixing the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 to the base 13 with a gap between them. As shown in Figure 11, the cushioning structures 401 and 402 are arranged such that the rectangular tube 11 is sandwiched between the cushioning structure 403 and the rectangular tube 12 is in contact with the outer frame 433 of the cushioning structure 403, which will be described later. This is achieved by folding the valley fold line 1300 near the center of the base 13 and folding the valley fold line 4341 shown in Figure 9.

[0058] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the buffer structure 403 comprises a frame portion 410 having a holding portion 440 capable of holding the object to be protected 600, and a rectangular tube portion 420 that supports the frame portion 410.

[0059] As shown in Figures 9-11, the frame portion 410 has a contact surface 430 having a fitting hole 4300 and contacting the base 434, an inner frame 431 positioned closer to the center of the protected object 600 than the outer frame 433 (described later), and a connecting portion 432 connecting the inner frame 431 and the outer frame 433. Furthermore, the frame portion 410 has an outer frame 433 positioned closer to the Y-axis end of the protected object 600 than the inner frame 431, and a base 434 connected to the buffer structures 401, 402 and the rectangular tube portion 420. The inner frame 431 and the outer frame 433 each have a protected object fitting hole 4310, 4330 for fitting the protected object 600, and flaps 4311, 4312, 4331, 4332 that contact the fitted protected object 600.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the rectangular tube section 420 has a buffer surface 435 with an opening 4350 and a fitting hole 4351, a placement section 436 where the object to be protected 600 is placed, a buffer surface 437 with an opening 4370 and a projection 4371, and a contact surface 438 with a projection 4380. The rectangular tube section 420 has the same bending and stretching function as the rectangular tubes 11 and 12, and expands and contracts in the direction of the short axis of the openings 4350 and 4370 as the bent portions of the buffer surfaces 435 and 437 bend and stretch. In addition, tongues are formed in the placement sections 111, 121 and 436, and by bending toward the inside of the tube, shear deformation due to lateral impact can be suppressed, similar to the buffer material 10.

[0061] The frame portion 410 is formed by folding along the valley fold lines 4301, 4313, 4320, 4333, 4342, 4352, 4360, and 4372, fitting the projection 4371 into the fitting holes 4300 and 4340, and fitting the projection 4380 into the fitting holes 4314 and 4351.

[0062] Next, the operation of the buffer mechanism 41 will be described. Note that the square tubes 11 and 12 of the buffer structures 401 and 402 and the square tube section 420 of the buffer structure 403 perform the same operation as the buffer material 10.

[0063] Figure 12 shows the state in which the protective object 600 is held at one end each of its left and right ends by the holding portion 440 of the cushioning mechanism 41 and stored in the packaging box 500. In Figure 12, for ease of understanding, the packaging box 500 is shown transparently to illustrate the arrangement of the protective object 600 and the cushioning mechanism 41 placed inside the packaging box 500. Since three sides of the holding portion 440 are surrounded by the square tube 11 and the square tube portion 420, the bending and extending of the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, 122, 435, and 437 causes the protective object 600 to push in a direction that widens the opening of the holding portion 440, thus cushioning impacts, loads, etc. in the +X, -X, +Z, and -Z directions. In addition, since the square tube 12 is positioned between the cushioning structure 403 and the packaging box 500, it cushions impacts, loads, etc. in the +Y and -Y directions.

[0064] As explained above, the cushioning mechanism 41 holds the object to be protected 600 in a manner that surrounds all four sides of both ends, in the +X, -X, +Z, and -Z directions, and also has cushioning parts in the +Y and -Y directions. Therefore, the cushioning mechanism 41 can cushion impacts, loads, etc., from six directions.

[0065] [Differentiation] In Embodiment 1 described above, the heights of the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction were different, but they may be the same height. Also, in Embodiment 2, the heights of the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction were the same, but they may be different heights.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 each had a buffer surface with opposing openings and bends, but the rectangular tubes do not have openings or bends. Deputy It may also be a rectangular tube in which a buffering surface and a buffering surface having an opening and a bent portion are facing each other.

[0067] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, each fold line was either a mountain fold or a valley fold. However, whether it is a mountain fold or a valley fold is relative to the viewpoint relative to the paper sheet 20 or 40, and when viewed from the back side of the paper sheet 20 or 40, the fold will be reversed. Therefore, a mountain fold line may be a valley fold line, and a valley fold line may be a mountain fold line. Also, for the parallel and right-angle portions of the cushioning material 10, an error of approximately ±15° can be tolerated as long as the flexing function of the cushioning material 10 is maintained. In addition, the valley fold lines and mountain fold lines do not need to extend to the vertices and edges of the cushioning surface and opening.

[0068] In each of the above embodiments, the rectangular tubes 11 and 12 were fixed to the base 13 by folding back the tongue portions 1131, 1311, 1133, 1313, 1231, 1233, and 1321, 1323 towards the inside of the tube. However, the contacting portions may be fixed to the base 13 with adhesive, cardboard staples, rivets, adhesive tape, etc. Alternatively, the contacting surfaces may be omitted, and for example, protrusions may be provided on the buffer surface adjacent to the contacting surface and fitted into the base, thereby forming the rectangular tube and fixing it to the base 13.

[0069] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the fold lines of the bent portion were formed in advance during the manufacturing of the paper sheet 20 or 40, but the fold lines may be formed in advance and the cushioning material 10 may be folded during manufacturing. Alternatively, the rectangular tubes may be formed on the paper sheet 20 or 40 before folding, or the folding may be performed by press processing.

[0070] In the embodiments described above, paper sheets 20 and 40 were formed from corrugated cardboard, paperboard, etc., as biodegradable sheets, but biodegradable plastics, biomass plastics, etc. may also be used. If biomass plastics are used, even if they are incinerated, the carbon neutrality of biomass will not increase the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, thereby reducing the environmental burden. Alternatively, sheets made of other materials with a low environmental impact, such as sheets made of a composite material of biodegradable plastic and other biodegradable compositions, may be used.

[0071] In the embodiments described above, the shape of the opening was hexagonal, but it may be a polygon. Alternatively, any shape that includes a shape change portion, which is a vertex where stress is concentrated, may be a combination of semicircles, ellipses, etc., with different curvatures. In this case, it is preferable that a bent portion extends from the shape change portion.

[0072] Furthermore, for example, surface treatment may be applied to the cushioning material 10 and the rectangular tube section 420 in order to increase their strength.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the height of the cushioning material 10 and the rectangular tube section 420, as well as the thickness of the sheet, are not specified, but they can be arbitrarily set within a range that ensures the desired cushioning performance.

[0074] In the above embodiments, the cushioning material 10, cushioning structures 401, 402, and rectangular tube section 420 were structures that bent and extended rectangular tubes with a rectangular cross-section, but they may also be structures that bent and extended rectangular tubes with a trapezoidal, triangular, or pentagonal or more cross-section. Alternatively, they may be structures that bent and extended tubes having a cross-section that includes a semicircle, ellipse, etc. Furthermore, although the arrangement section was planar, for example, if the cross-sectional shape of the rectangular tube is triangular, pentagonal, etc., it may be a linear side portion formed between adjacent faces of the rectangular tube. The arrangement section only needs to be a structure that can support the object to be protected 600.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, the rectangular tubes 11, 12 and the base 13 were provided with tongues formed in a flared shape. However, the shape of the tongues may be various other shapes, such as stepped, L-shaped, T-shaped, or flat shapes that are not flared, such as rectangular or U-shaped. When the paper sheet 20 is corrugated cardboard, the length of the tongues 1131, 1133, 1231, 1233, etc. should be such that the corrugated core, which is the corrugated sheet that makes up the cardboard, has about three or more waves, taking moldability into consideration.

[0076] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. That is, although this disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but are applicable to the embodiments individually or in various combinations. Accordingly, countless variations not illustrated are envisioned within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, this includes modifying, adding or omitting at least one component, or extracting at least one component and combining it with a component of another embodiment.

[0077] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-000305, filed on 4 January 2023. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-000305 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0078] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0079] [Note 1] The device comprises a mounting section for supporting an object to be protected, a plurality of tubes each having a plurality of buffering surfaces that support the mounting section and face each other, and a base on which the plurality of tubes are arranged. Formed from a biodegradable sheet, The aforementioned plurality of buffer surfaces have openings and a plurality of bent portions extending from the openings. Each of the aforementioned buffer surfaces bends and extends in a direction toward and toward the base due to the action of the bending portion. Buffer material. [Note 2] The opening is formed in the shape of a polygon, with the bent portion extending from each vertex. Each of the aforementioned bent portions is positioned in a straight line with other bent portions across the opening on the buffer surface, and extends in a direction that intersects with other bent portions. The cushioning material described in Appendix 1. [Note 3] The bent portion is arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the opening formed in the center of the buffer surface. The cushioning material described in Appendix 1 or 2. [Note 4] The plurality of buffer surfaces include a sub-buffer surface on which only one of the opening or the bent portion is formed. The cushioning material described in Appendix 1, 2, or 3. [Note 5] The plurality of tubes are arranged on the base with their adjacent buffer surfaces spaced apart. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 4. [Note 6] The plurality of tubes are arranged on the base such that adjacent buffer surfaces are in contact with each other. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 5. [Note 7] The aforementioned plurality of pipes are formed at the same height or at different heights. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 6. [Note 8] Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The contact surface and the base are provided with a tongue portion located inside the open end of the rectangular tube. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 7. [Note 9] Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The arrangement portion includes a tongue portion positioned inside the open end of the rectangular tube, The tongue portion suppresses shear deformation of the rectangular tube. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 7. [Note 10] The tongue portion is formed in a flared shape, a stepped shape, an L-shape, a T-shape, or a flat shape that is not flared. The cushioning material described in Appendix 8 or 9. [Note 11] Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The contact surface and the base are fixed to each other by fitting or adhesive. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 7. [Note 12] The biodegradable sheet is formed from corrugated cardboard or paperboard. The cushioning material described in any one of the notes 1 through 11. [Note 13] Multiple cushioning materials described in any one of the appendices 1 to 12 are arranged to form the cushioning material. Buffer mechanism. [Note 14] The cushioning material is formed by laminating multiple biodegradable sheets. The buffering mechanism described in Appendix 13. [Note 15] Multiple buffering mechanisms described in Appendix 13 or 14 are stacked to form a buffering mechanism. Buffer mechanism. [Note 16] A placement area where the object to be protected is placed and two buffer surface areas supporting the placement area from both sides are secured, and an opening and a bent portion extending radially from the opening are formed in the buffer surface area of ​​the blank plate made from a biodegradable sheet. By arranging the two buffer surface regions opposite each other, a plurality of rectangular tubes are formed, each having an arrangement portion and two buffer surfaces supporting the arrangement portion. A method for manufacturing cushioning material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10 Cushioning material, 11,12 Square tube, 11A,12A Fitting part, 11B,11C,12B,12C Folded part, 13,434 Base, 20,40 Paper sheet, 41,300,310,321 Cushioning mechanism, 100 Cushioning part, 110,112,120,122,435,437 Cushioning surface, 111,121,436 Placement part, 113,123,430,438 Contact surface, 115,116,125,126 Bent part, 131,132 Base part, 300,310,321 Cushioning mechanism, 401,402,403 Cushioning structure, 410 Frame part, 420 Square tube part, 431 Inner frame, 432 Connection part, 433 Outer frame, 440 Holding section, 500 Packaging box, 510 Spanning board, 600 Protected object, 1001,1002,1003,1004 Small surface, 1100,1101,1102,1105,1106,1107,1120,1121,1122,1125,1126,1127,1130,1132,1200,1201,12 02,1205,1206,1207,1220,1221,1222,1225,1226,1227,1230,1232,1300,1310,1312,1320,1322,4341 Valley fold lines: 1103, 1104, 1123, 1124, 1203, 1204, 1223, 1224 Mountain fold lines: 1108, 1128, 1208, 1228, 4350, 4370 Openings: 1109, 1209, 1319, 1329, 4300, 4314, 4340, 4351 Fitting holes: 1129, 1134, 1229, 1234, 4371, 4380 Projections: 1131, 1133, 1231, 1233, 1311, 1313, 1321, 1323 Tongues: 4310, 4330 Protected object fitting holes: 4311, 4312, 4331, 4332 Flap.

Claims

1. The device comprises a mounting section for supporting an object to be protected, a plurality of tubes each having a plurality of buffering surfaces that support the mounting section and face each other, and a base on which the plurality of tubes are arranged. Formed from a biodegradable sheet, The aforementioned plurality of buffer surfaces have openings and a plurality of bent portions extending from the openings. Each of the aforementioned buffer surfaces bends and extends in a direction toward and away from the base due to the action of the bending portion. Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The contact surface and the base are provided with a tongue portion located inside the open end of the rectangular tube. Buffer material.

2. The opening is formed in the shape of a polygon, with the bent portion extending from each vertex. Each of the aforementioned bent portions is positioned in a straight line with other bent portions across the opening on the buffer surface, and extends in a direction that intersects with other bent portions. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

3. The bent portion is arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the opening formed in the center of the buffer surface. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

4. The plurality of buffer surfaces include a sub-buffer surface on which only one of the opening or the bent portion is formed. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

5. The plurality of tubes are arranged on the base with their adjacent buffer surfaces spaced apart. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

6. The plurality of tubes are arranged on the base such that adjacent buffer surfaces are in contact with each other. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned plurality of pipes are formed at the same height or at different heights. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

8. The arrangement portion comprises a second tongue portion arranged inside the open end of the rectangular tube, The second tongue portion suppresses shear deformation of the rectangular tube. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

9. A plurality of pipes each having a support section for supporting an object to be protected, a plurality of buffer surfaces that support the support section and face each other, and a base on which the plurality of pipes are arranged, Formed from a biodegradable sheet, The aforementioned plurality of buffer surfaces have openings and a plurality of bent portions extending from the openings. Each of the aforementioned buffer surfaces bends and extends in a direction toward and away from the base due to the action of the bending portion. Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The arrangement portion includes a tongue portion positioned inside the open end of the rectangular tube, The tongue portion is formed by cutting it out from the placement portion in a flared shape, with the width of the tongue portion widening as it approaches the open end of the rectangular tube on which the tip of the tongue portion is provided, and the base of the tongue portion is formed in a state where it is bent inward from the placement portion to the rectangular tube, and the portion of the tongue portion that is cut out in a flared shape from the placement portion is formed to fit with the remaining portion of the placement portion from which the tongue portion was cut, thereby suppressing shear deformation in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of buffer surfaces of the rectangular tube. Buffer material.

10. The tongue portion or the second tongue portion is formed in a flared shape, a stepped shape, an L-shape, a T-shape, or a flat shape that is not flared. The cushioning material according to claim 1 or 8.

11. Each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a rectangular tube having a planar arrangement portion, a buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that abuts against the base. The contact surface and the base are fixed to each other by fitting or adhesive. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

12. The biodegradable sheet is formed from corrugated cardboard or paperboard. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

13. A plurality of cushioning materials according to claim 1 are arranged to form a cushioning material, Buffer mechanism.

14. The cushioning material is formed by laminating multiple biodegradable sheets. The buffering mechanism according to claim 13.

15. A buffering mechanism according to claim 13 or 14 is formed by stacking multiple such buffering mechanisms. Buffer mechanism.

16. A planar placement area where the object to be protected is placed and two buffer surface areas that elastically support the placement area from both sides are secured, and an opening and a bent portion extending radially from the opening are formed in the buffer surface area of ​​the blank plate made from a biodegradable sheet. By arranging the two buffer surface regions opposite each other, a plurality of rectangular tubes, each having an arrangement portion and two buffer surfaces supporting the arrangement portion, are formed so that their contact surfaces abut against the base. A tongue portion is formed on the inside of the open end of the rectangular tube between the contact surface and the base. A method for manufacturing cushioning material.

17. A planar arrangement portion on which the object to be protected is placed and two cushioning surface regions that elastically support the arrangement portion from both sides are secured, and an opening and a bent portion extending radially from the opening are formed in the cushioning surface region of a blank plate made of a biodegradable sheet. By arranging the two buffer surface regions opposite each other, a plurality of rectangular tubes, each having an arrangement portion and two buffer surfaces supporting the arrangement portion, are formed so that their contact surfaces abut against the base. A tongue portion is formed in the aforementioned arrangement portion, facing inward toward the open end of the rectangular tube. The tongue portion is formed by cutting it from the placement portion so that the base of the tongue portion is bent inward from the placement portion and the width of the tongue portion widens as it approaches the opening end of the square tube where the tip of the tongue portion is provided, and the portion of the tongue portion cut out in a widening shape from the placement portion is fitted with the remaining portion of the placement portion from which the tongue portion was cut, thereby suppressing shear deformation in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of buffer surfaces of the square tube. A method for manufacturing cushioning material.

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