Buffering material, buffering material manufacturing method, and buffering 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

Buffer material, manufacturing method for buffer material, and buffer mechanism

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

[0002] When transporting or storing items, they are sometimes packaged using cushioning materials made from plastic to prevent damage. However, when disposing of the plastic cushioning material after use, there are problems with simply disposing of it in a landfill because plastic is difficult to decompose. In addition, incineration can produce harmful substances. Therefore, there are problems with disposing of general plastic cushioning materials after use.

[0003] To address these issues, cushioning materials made from paper materials that have a low environmental impact when disposed of have been developed. For example, the cushioning material described in Patent Document 1 is made of cardboard and has notches formed on the opposing sides of a square tube placed horizontally. When the square tube receives an impact, the notches open, causing the sides to bend and absorb the impact.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-137665

[0005] The method of cutting cuts into cardboard boards does not provide sufficient elasticity to the sides of the cushioning material, and therefore does not provide high cushioning performance. Furthermore, if the sides buckle due to a large impact, they lack recovery force, making it impossible to withstand repeated impacts and recoils. Therefore, high cushioning performance cannot be expected. Furthermore, when cutting cuts, stress is concentrated at the edges of the cuts when an impact is applied, causing cracks to propagate from the edges, damaging the square tube and reducing cushioning performance.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a cushioning material and cushioning mechanism that can reduce the environmental impact when disposed of and have high cushioning performance, as well as a method for manufacturing the cushioning material.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the cushioning material according to the present disclosure includes a positioning section that supports an object to be protected, a plurality of tubes that support the positioning section and each have a plurality of buffer surfaces that face each other, and a base on which the plurality of tubes are arranged, and is formed from a biodegradable sheet. The plurality of buffer surfaces are formed with openings and a plurality of bending sections that extend from the openings, and the plurality of buffer surfaces are bent and stretched by the action of the bending sections in directions in which the positioning section approaches and moves away from the base.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when an impact is applied to the cushioning material, the bent portion extending from the opening of the cushioning surface easily bends when the impact is applied to the cushioning material, thereby cushioning the impact. Furthermore, by dissipating stress concentrated at the opening into the bent portion, damage to the opening can be suppressed, and the cushioning performance of the cushioning material can be maintained at a high level. Furthermore, because the cushioning material is made from a biodegradable sheet, environmental impact can be reduced even when the cushioning material is disposed of by landfilling.

[0009] 1A or 1B when the cross section of the V-V line of the cushioning material shown in FIG. 1A or 1B is bent. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a packaging cushioning mechanism with the lid portion of the packaging box omitted according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a packaging cushioning mechanism with the lid portion of the packaging box omitted. FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a packaging cushioning mechanism with the lid portion of the packaging cushioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1A.

[0010] Hereinafter, a cushioning material, a method for manufacturing a cushioning material, and a cushioning mechanism according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] For ease of understanding, an orthogonal coordinate system XYZ is set. In the orthogonal 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 perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is the Y-axis direction. The stress acting on the cushioning material has a Z-axis component. Hereinafter, this coordinate system will be referred to as appropriate in the description of embodiment 1.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] Cushioning material 10 according to embodiment 1 is intended to protect an object to be protected, such as precision equipment or ceramics, that may be damaged during transportation, storage, etc. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, cushioning material 10 according to embodiment 1 includes two adjacently arranged square tubes 11, 12 and a base 13 that holds square tubes 11, 12. Square tubes 11, 12 have different heights in the Z-axis direction to match the stepped shape of the bottom surface of object to be protected 600 shown in Figure 1A.

[0013] The cushioning material 10 is formed by assembling a single blank paper sheet 20 shown in Fig. 3. The cushioning material 10 and the paper sheet 20 are made of a biodegradable sheet such as corrugated cardboard or paperboard.

[0014] The square tube 11 has a placement section 111 where the object to be protected 600 is placed, buffer surfaces 110 and 112 that support the bending and stretching movement of the square tube 11, and an abutment surface 113 that is placed on the base 13. The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 are formed with openings 1108 and 1128 and bending sections 115 and 116, respectively, and are bendable and elastic.

[0015] The square tube 12 has a placement section 121 where the object to be protected 600 is placed, buffer surfaces 120 and 122 that support the bending and stretching movement of the square tube 12, and an abutment surface 123 that is placed on the base 13. The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 are formed with openings 1208 and 1228 and bending sections 125 and 126, respectively, and are bendable and elastic.

[0016] The base 13 mounts the square tubes 11 and 12 together.

[0017] The structure and function of the square tubes 11 and 12 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3.

[0018] The placement portion 111 of the square tube 11 has its -X side edge connected to and supported by the buffer surface 110 and its +X side edge connected to and supported by the buffer surface 112, and the object to be protected 600 is placed thereon.

[0019] The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 form the side surfaces of the rectangular tube 11 and are arranged parallel to each other. The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 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. Valley fold lines 1101, 1102, 1105, and 1106 and mountain fold lines 1103 and 1104 that form the bent portion 115 extend from each vertex of the opening 1108 to the end of the buffer surface 110. In addition, valley fold lines 1121, 1122, 1125, and 1126 and mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204 that form the bent portion 116 extend from each vertex of the opening 1128 to the end of the buffer surface 112. Valley fold lines 1101, 1102, 1105, and 1106 are formed parallel to valley fold lines 1121, 1122, 1125, and 1126, respectively. Mountain fold lines 1103 and 1104 are formed parallel to mountain fold lines 1123 and 1124, respectively. Each valley fold line extends to the apex of buffer surface 110 or 112, and each mountain fold line extends to the midpoint of the short side of 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, with a valley fold being a folding method in which both sides of each fold line of the paper sheet 20 are folded upward, and a mountain fold being a folding method in which both sides of the sheet are folded downward. Therefore, when observing the finished cushioning material 10 from the outside, the folds that protrude outward are valley folds, and the folds that protrude inward are mountain folds.

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

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

[0023] The buffer surfaces 110 and 112 support the placement portion 111 at their +Z end portions. The buffer surface 110 has a −Z end connected to a base portion 131 that forms a pedestal. The buffer surface 112 has a −Z end connected to a contact surface 113.

[0024] The buffer surface 110 has a fitting hole 1109 formed therein, into which the protrusion 1134 of the contact surface 113 is inserted and fitted. The protrusion 1134 is fitted into the fitting hole 1109, thereby forming the square tube 11.

[0025] The abutment surface 113 is formed with tongue portions 1131 and 1133 that are integral with tongue portions 1311 and 1313 (described later) of the base 13 and that secure the square tube 11 to the base 13. The tongue portions may also be called protrusions, folded portions, tucked portions, flap portions, locking portions, etc. The tongue portions 1131, 1133, 1311, and 1313 are formed at the open ends of the +-Y direction ends of the square tube 11 or 12.

[0026] The placement portion 121 of the square tube 12 has its +X side edge connected to and supported by the buffer surface 120 and its −X side edge connected to and supported by the buffer surface 122, and the object to be protected 600 is placed thereon.

[0027] The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 form the side surfaces of the rectangular tube 12 and are arranged parallel to each other. The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 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. Valley fold lines 1201, 1202, 1205, and 1206 and mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204 that form the bent portion 125 extend from each vertex of the opening 1208 to the end of the buffer surface 120. In addition, valley fold lines 1221, 1222, 1225, and 1226 and mountain fold lines 1223 and 1224 that form the bent portion 126 extend from each vertex of the opening 1228 to the end of the buffer surface 122. Valley fold lines 1201, 1202, 1205, and 1206 are formed parallel to valley fold lines 1221, 1222, 1225, and 1226, respectively. Mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204 are formed parallel to mountain fold lines 1203 and 1204, respectively. Each valley fold line extends to the apex of buffer surface 120 or 122, and each mountain fold line extends to the midpoint of the short side of buffer surface 120 or 122.

[0028] Valley fold lines 1201 and 1202 and mountain fold line 1203 are formed in straight lines across valley fold lines 1206 and 1205 and mountain fold line 1204 and opening 1208, respectively. Valley fold lines 1221 and 1222 and mountain fold line 1223 are formed in straight lines across valley fold lines 1226 and 1225 and mountain fold line 1224 and opening 1228, respectively. Valley fold lines 1201 and 1205 and mountain fold line 1203 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center points of valley fold lines 1206 and 1202, mountain fold line 1204, and opening 1208. Valley fold lines 1221, 1225 and mountain fold line 1223 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center points of valley fold lines 1226 and 1222, mountain fold line 1224, and opening 1228, respectively. Furthermore, the valley fold lines 1201 and 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 valley fold lines 1202 and 1206, the mountain fold line 1204, and the center point of the opening 1208. The valley fold lines 1221 and 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 valley fold lines 1222 and 1226, the mountain fold line 1224, and the center point of the opening 1228. Therefore, the buffer surface 120 is divided into two identical trapezoidal shaped cleaved surfaces and four identical triangular shaped cleaved surfaces. The bent portions 125 and 126 are formed by applying pressure to the paper sheet 20 at linear positions to form small depressions.

[0029] The buffer surfaces 120 and 122 support the placement portion 121 at their +Z direction ends. The buffer surface 120 has its -Z direction end connected to a base portion 132 that constitutes the pedestal 13. The buffer surface 122 has its -Z direction end connected to a contact surface 123.

[0030] The buffer surface 120 has a fitting hole 1209 formed therein, into which the protrusion 1234 of the contact surface 123 is inserted and fitted. The protrusion 1234 is fitted into the fitting hole 1209, thereby forming the square tube 12.

[0031] The contact surface 123 is formed with tongues 1231 and 1233 which are formed in a flared shape and which are integrated with tongues 1321 and 1323 of the base 13, which will be described later, to fix the square tube 12 to the base 13.

[0032] 1A, 1B, and 3, the base 13 has base portions 131 and 132 that abut against the abutment surfaces 113 and 123, respectively. When the base portion 131 abuts against the abutment surface 113, tongue portions 1311 and 1313 formed at the open end of the square tube 11 and between the buffer surfaces 110 and 112 are folded in a flared shape together with the tongue portions 1131 and 1133 along valley fold lines 1310, 1312, 1130, and 1132, respectively, to form folded-back portions 11B and 11C, thereby fixing the square tube 11 to the base 13. The base portion 132, while in contact with the contact surface 123, folds the tongue portions 1321, 1323 at the open end of the square tube 12 and between the buffer surfaces 120, 122 together with the tongue portions 1231, 1233 along the valley fold lines 1320, 1322, 1230, 1232 to form the folded portions 12B, 12C, thereby fixing the square tube 12 to the base 13. Furthermore, the folded portions 11B, 11C, 12B, 12C can suppress shear deformation of the square tubes 11, 12 in the X-axis direction due to impact during transportation.

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

[0034] Next, the bending and stretching operation of the cushioning material 10 will be described.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a simplified end view of the vicinity of the buffer surface 110 when bent along line V-V in FIG. 1A. The bent structure formed on the buffer surface 110 is referred to as the buffer section 100. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the buffer surface 110 is divided into subcut surfaces 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004 along line V-V by a bent portion 115, i.e., valley fold lines 1102 and 1106 and a mountain fold line 1104. As shown in FIG. 5, the angle ∠ABC between the arrangement section 111 and the subcut surface 1001, with the valley fold line 1100 as the vertex, is defined as θ0. The angle ∠BCD between the subcut surface 1001 and the subcut surface 1002, with the valley fold line 1102 as the vertex, is defined as θ1, and the angle ∠CDE between the subcut surface 1002 and the subcut surface 1003, with the mountain fold line 1104 as the vertex, is defined as θ2. The angle ∠DEF formed between the cut surface 1003 and the cut surface 1004 at the fold line 1106 is defined as θ3, and the angle ∠EFG formed between the cut surface 1004 and the abutting surface 113 at the fold line 1107 is defined as θ4.

[0036] Each of θ0, θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 takes a value greater than or equal to 0° and less than 180°.

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

[0038] In this way, impact energy applied from the +Z direction to the -Z direction of the cushioning material 10 bends the valley fold lines 1100, 1102, the mountain fold line 1104, and the valley fold lines 1106, 1107 of the cushioning section 100, and is converted into elastic energy, a part of which is consumed as plastic deformation energy. In this way, the impact applied to the cushioning material 10 is alleviated. Note that even in the case where the relationship between the mountain folds and the valley folds of the bending portions constituting the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122 is reversed, as will be described later in a modified example, the impact can be alleviated by a similar bending and stretching action.

[0039] Similarly, impact energy is converted into elastic energy, part of which is consumed as plastic deformation energy, at the buffer surfaces 112, 120, and 122. In this way, the impact applied to the buffer material 10 is absorbed by the entire buffer surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122. This protects the protected object 600.

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

[0041] 3 is a development view of a blank sheet of paper sheet 20 for manufacturing cushioning material 10. When manufacturing paper sheet 20, valley fold lines and mountain fold lines are provided to form the outline and openings of cushioning material 10, as shown in FIG. 3, and the cut lines are cut.

[0042] The worker first forms the fitting holes 1109, 1209 and the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 in the paper sheet 20. Then, the paper sheet 20 is valley-folded along the valley fold lines 1120, 1127, and 1100, resulting in the end face shape of the paper sheet 20 as viewed in the +Y direction, as shown in FIG. 4A. Next, the protrusion 1134 is fitted into the fitting hole 1109 to form the fitting portion 11A. Next, the valley fold line 1107 is valley-folded to abut against the base portion 131, forming the square tube 11 as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0043] Further, the valley fold lines 1227, 1220, and 1200 are folded in a valley shape. The protrusion 1234 is fitted into the fitting hole 1209 to form the fitting portion 12A. The valley fold line 1207 is folded in a valley shape and brought into contact with the base portion 132, thereby forming the square tube 12.

[0044] Next, tongue portions 1131 and 1311 are valley-folded along valley fold lines 1130 and 1310, respectively, and folded back into the tube, forming folded-back portion 11B. Similarly, tongue portions 1133 and 1313 are valley-folded along valley fold lines 1132 and 1312, respectively, and folded back into the tube, forming folded-back portion 11C. This fixes the square tube 11 to the base 13. In a similar manner, folded-back portions 12B and 12C are formed. This fixes the square tube 12 to the base 13.

[0045] In this manner, the buffer material 10 is formed.

[0046] As described above, according to the cushioning material 10 of this embodiment, the cushioning surfaces 110, 112, 120, and 122 are formed with openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228, respectively. Furthermore, the 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 receives an impact, load, or the like from the placement portions 111 and 121 toward the base 13, the energy of the impact is stored as elastic energy due to the bending and stretching of the bent portions 115, 116, 125, and 126, and is then consumed as plastic deformation energy due to plastic deformation. This reduces the impact applied to the protected object 600. Furthermore, by dissipating stress concentrated at the vertices of the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 to the bent portions 115 and 125, damage to the openings 1108, 1128, 1208, and 1228 can be suppressed, thereby maintaining the cushioning performance of the cushioning material 10. Furthermore, the mountain folds and valley folds that make up the bent portions 115, 116, 125, and 126 formed on each cushioning surface are parallel to the mountain folds and valley folds formed on the opposing cushioning surface, allowing the cushioning material 10 to easily bend and unfold when subjected to impact, load, or other stress. Furthermore, the valley folds and mountain folds that make up the bent portions 115 and 125 are oriented in a direction that intersects with the other valley folds and mountain folds on each cushioning surface. Therefore, when bent, the cushioning material 10 is less likely to undergo plastic deformation, allowing the cushioning material 10 to maintain high cushioning performance. Furthermore, because the cushioning material 10 is formed from a biodegradable sheet, environmental impact can be reduced even when the cushioning material 10 is disposed of in a landfill after use.

[0047] Next, a mode of using the cushioning material 10 will be described.

[0048] (Usage Form 1) First, in usage form 1, as illustrated in Fig. 6 with the lid portion of the packaging box 500 omitted and the packaging box 500 seen through, a plurality of cushioning materials 10 are placed between the packaging box 500 and the object to be protected 600 to form a cushioning mechanism 300. As in cushioning form 301, the cushioning material 10 is placed in a corner of the packaging box 500 by folding the center of the base 13 to form an L-shape. Furthermore, as in cushioning form 302, another cushioning material 10 is placed above the object to be protected 600 without folding the base 13.

[0049] In this way, by appropriately positioning 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 be positioned in locations other than those shown in FIG. 6 . The desired cushioning force is set by adjusting the material, thickness, and structure of the paper sheet 20 used in the cushioning material 10, the size of the cushioning material 10, the positions and number of folding lines provided in the cushioning material 10, and the positions and number of openings. Note that in Usage Forms 1-3, for ease of understanding, the heights from the base 13 of the square tubes 11 and 12 of the cushioning material 10 to the positioning portions 111 and 121 are the same.

[0050] 7 shows a perspective view of the packaging box 500, in usage mode 2, two cushioning materials 10 are placed at the bottom of the packaging box 500, and a bridge plate 510 is placed between the two cushioning materials 10, with the object to be protected 600 placed on top, thereby constituting the cushioning mechanism 310. This allows the cushioning mechanism 310 to protect the object to be protected 600, which is heavier or more sensitive to impact. Alternatively, the object to be protected 600 can be protected by cushioning materials 10 that are significantly smaller than the object to be protected 600.

[0051] As shown in Usages 1 and 2, by arranging the necessary number of cushioning materials 10 on the top, bottom, left, right, and corners of the transported object, when acceleration acts on the transported object due to a drop or collision of the packaging box, each cushioning material 10 of the cushioning mechanisms 300 and 310 will contract, storing kinetic energy in the form of elastic energy. This will mitigate the impact on the protected object 600.

[0052] (Usage Form 3) When sufficient cushioning force cannot be obtained by using only one cushioning material 10 or the cushioning material 10 in the manner of Use Form 2, a cushioning mechanism 321 as shown in FIG. 8A is used. As shown in FIG. 8A, the cushioning mechanism 321 is formed by stacking three layers of cushioning materials 10 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 8B, the cushioning mechanism 321 is placed on the bottom surface of a packaging box 500, and an object to be protected 600 is placed on top of it. Note that in FIG. 8B, for ease of understanding, the packaging box 500 is shown as transparent to illustrate the cushioning material 10, the object to be protected 600, and the like placed inside the packaging box 500.

[0053] According to the buffer mechanism 321, the buffer materials 10 stacked in three layers can provide a greater buffering force than when a single buffer material 10 is used. This is suitable when there is a risk of a greater impact than in Usage Form 1, or when protecting a protected object 600 that is vulnerable to impact. In addition, when the protected object 600 is stored in the packaging box 500, if a space is generated in the Z-axis direction, this can also be used to eliminate the space.

[0054] The buffer mechanism 321 allows the number of spring elements to be increased by stacking buffer materials 10 of the same shape. Therefore, if the buffer performance of a single buffer material 10 is insufficient, the buffer mechanism 321 can be used to easily adjust the buffer performance. Furthermore, if extra space is generated after the protected object 600 is placed in the packaging box 500, the extra space can be eliminated by placing the buffer mechanism 321. This makes it possible to prevent damage, scratches, etc., caused by the protected object 600 moving within the packaging box 500 during transport.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 and Usage Modes 1-3, multiple cushioning materials 10, each formed from a paper sheet 20 shaped into a tubular shape, are combined and placed inside a packaging box 500. In Embodiment 2, however, a cushioning mechanism 41, shown in FIG. 10 , formed from a single paper sheet 40, as shown in FIG. 9, is described. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the cushioning mechanism 41 includes cushioning structures 401 and 402, each similar in structure to the cushioning material 10, and a cushioning structure 403 connecting the cushioning structures 401 and 402. Note that in this embodiment, the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in FIG. 10 is set and referenced as appropriate. Also, as shown in FIG. 10 , for ease of understanding, the shape of the protected object 600 is a rectangular parallelepiped. However, this is suitable for protecting an object with a large chamfer at 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, described below, may be any of the positions shown in FIGS. 9-11 , or may be a position other than those shown in FIGS. 9-11 .

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

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, protrusions 1129, 1134, 1229, and 1234 are formed in the center of the long sides of the buffer surfaces 112 and 122 and the abutment surfaces 113 and 123. Fitting holes 1319 and 1329 are formed near the center of the base portions 131 and 132 of the pedestal 13. The protrusions 1129, 1134, 1229, and 1234 are fitted into the fitting holes 1319, 1109, 1329, and 1209, respectively, so that the square tubes 11 and 12 are firmly fixed to the pedestal 13 with a gap between them. As shown in Figure 11, the buffer structures 401 and 402 are formed 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, so that the square tube 11 is clamped between the buffer structure 403 and the square tube 12 is positioned so as to abut against the outer frame 433 of the buffer structure 403, which will be described later.

[0058] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cushioning structure 403 includes a frame body portion 410 having a holding portion 440 formed thereon that can hold the object to be protected 600, and a square tube portion 420 that supports the frame body portion 410.

[0059] 9 to 11 , the frame body part 410 has an abutment surface 430 having a fitting hole 4300 and abutting against a base 434, an inner frame 431 arranged closer to the center of the protected object 600 than an outer frame 433 described below, and a connection part 432 connecting the inner frame 431 and the outer frame 433. The frame body part 410 further has an outer frame 433 arranged closer to the end part of the protected object 600 in the Y-axis direction than the inner frame 431, and a base 434 connected to the buffer structures 401, 402 and the square tube part 420. The inner frame 431 and the outer frame 433 respectively have protected object fitting holes 4310, 4330 for fitting the protected object 600, and flaps 4311, 4312, 4331, 4332 that abut against the fitted protected object 600.

[0060] 9 , the square tube section 420 has a buffer surface 435 with an opening 4350 and a fitting hole 4351, a placement section 436 where the protected object 600 is placed, a buffer surface 437 with an opening 4370 and a protrusion 4371, and an abutment surface 438 with a protrusion 4380. The square tube section 420 has the same bending and stretching function as the square tubes 11 and 12, and expands and contracts in the minor axis direction of the openings 4350 and 4370 as the bending sections of the buffer surfaces 435 and 437 bend and stretch. The placement sections 111, 121, and 436 each have a tongue that can be bent toward the inside of the tube to suppress shear deformation due to lateral impact, similar to the cushioning material 10.

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

[0062] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the buffer mechanism 41. The square tubes 11 and 12 of the buffer structures 401 and 402 and the square tube portion 420 of the buffer structure 403 perform the same operation as the buffer material 10.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows the state in which the object to be protected 600 is held by the holding portion 440 of the buffer mechanism 41, one end each of which is on the left and one end of which is on the right, and is housed in the packaging box 500. For ease of understanding, FIG. 12 illustrates the arrangement of the object to be protected 600 and the buffer mechanism 41 inside the packaging box 500 by showing the packaging box 500 as transparent. Because the holding portion 440 is surrounded on three sides by the square tube 11 and the square tube portion 420, the movement of the object to be protected 600 in the direction of widening the opening of the holding portion 440 due to the bending and stretching of the buffer surfaces 110, 112, 120, 122, 435, and 437 is buffered, i.e., impacts, loads, etc. in the +X, −X, +Z, and −Z directions. Furthermore, because the square tube 12 is disposed between the buffer structure 403 and the packaging box 500, impacts, loads, etc. in the +Y and −Y directions are buffered.

[0064] As described above, according to the buffer mechanism 41, buffer sections are arranged so as to surround and hold the four sides of both ends of the protected object 600 in the +X direction, -X direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction, and buffer sections are also arranged in the +Y direction and -Y direction. Therefore, the buffer mechanism 41 can buffer impacts, loads, etc. from six directions.

[0065] [Modifications] In the first embodiment, the heights of the square tubes 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction are different, but they may be the same height. Also, in the second embodiment, the heights of the square tubes 11 and 12 in the Z-axis direction are the same, but they may be different heights.

[0066] In each of the above embodiments, the square tubes 11 and 12 each have a buffer surface having an opening and a bend that face each other. However, the square tube may have a secondary buffer surface without an opening or a bend that faces a buffer surface with an opening and a bend that faces each other.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, each fold line is a mountain fold or a valley fold, but whether it is a mountain fold or a valley fold is relative based on the viewpoint position relative to the paper sheet 20 or 40, and when viewed from the back side of the paper sheet 20 or 40, the fold appears in the opposite direction. Therefore, the mountain fold lines may be valley fold lines and the valley fold lines may be mountain fold lines. Furthermore, for the parallel and right-angled portions of the cushioning material 10, an error of about ±15° can be tolerated as long as the cushioning material 10 maintains its bending and stretching function. Furthermore, the valley fold lines and mountain fold lines do not have to extend to the vertices and edges of the cushioning surface and opening.

[0068] In the above-described embodiments, the square tubes 11, 12 are fixed to the base 13 by folding back the tongue portions 1131, 1311, 1133, 1313, 1231, 1233, and 1321, 1323 toward the inside of the tube. However, the abutting portions may be fixed to the base 13 with adhesive, cardboard staplers, rivets, adhesive tape, or the like. Alternatively, the abutting surfaces may be omitted, and for example, a protrusion may be provided on the buffer surface adjacent to the abutting surface, which may be fitted into the base, thereby forming the square tube and fixing it to the base 13.

[0069] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the fold lines of the bent portions are formed in advance when the paper sheet 20 or 40 is manufactured, but the fold lines may not be formed in advance and the paper sheet may be folded when the cushioning material 10 is manufactured. Alternatively, the paper sheet 20 or 40 may be formed into a square tube and then folded, or the folding may be performed by press processing.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the paper sheets 20, 40 are formed from 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 means that CO in the atmosphere is reduced. ２ Alternatively, a sheet made of other materials with a small environmental impact, such as a sheet made of a composite material of a biodegradable plastic and another biodegradable composition, may be used.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the shape of the opening is a hexagon, but it may also be a polygon. Alternatively, it may be a shape that combines semicircles, ellipses, and the like with different curvatures, as long as it includes a shape-changing portion that is a vertex where stress is concentrated. In this case, it is preferable that a bent portion extends from the shape-changing portion.

[0072] Furthermore, for example, in order to increase the strength of the buffer material 10 and the square tube portion 420, the buffer material 10 and the square tube portion 420 may be subjected to a surface treatment.

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

[0074] In the above embodiments, the cushioning material 10, the cushioning structures 401, 402, and the square tube portion 420 are configured to bend and stretch square tubes with rectangular cross sections. However, they may be configured to bend and stretch square tubes with trapezoidal, triangular, or pentagonal or greater cross sections. Alternatively, they may be configured to bend and stretch tubes with cross sections including semicircular, elliptical, etc. Furthermore, while the placement portion is flat, it may be a linear edge portion formed between adjacent faces of the square tube when the cross section of the square tube is triangular, pentagonal, or the like. The placement portion may be configured to support the protected object 600.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the square tubes 11, 12 and the base 13 have tongues formed in a flared shape, but the shape of the tongues may be various shapes such as stepped, L-shaped, T-shaped, or flat shapes that do not flare, such as rectangular or U-shaped. When the paper sheet 20 is corrugated cardboard, the length of the tongues 1131, 1133, 1231, 1233, etc. is preferably such that the corrugated core, which is a corrugated sheet that constitutes the cardboard, has about three or more waves, taking formability into consideration.

[0076] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. That is, although various exemplary embodiments are described in the present disclosure, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are contemplated within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present specification. For example, modifications of at least one component, additions, or omissions, as well as extraction of at least one component and combinations thereof with components of other embodiments, are also contemplated.

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

[0078] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0079] [Supplementary Note 1] A cushioning material comprising: a placement section that supports an object to be protected; a plurality of tubes each having a placement section that supports the placement section and a plurality of buffer surfaces facing each other; and a base on which the plurality of tubes are placed, the cushioning material being formed from a biodegradable sheet, the plurality of buffer surfaces having openings and a plurality of bent portions extending from the openings, and each of the plurality of buffer surfaces being bent and stretched in a direction in which the placement section moves toward and away from the base by the action of the bent portions. [Supplementary Note 2] The cushioning material according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the openings are formed in a polygonal shape, and the bent portions extend from each vertex, and the bent portions are arranged in a straight line with other bent portions across the opening on each of the buffer surfaces, and further extend in a direction intersecting with the other bent portions. [Supplementary Note 3] The cushioning material according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the bent portions are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the opening formed at the center of the buffer surface. [Appendix 4] The cushioning material according to Appendices 1, 2, or 3, wherein the plurality of cushioning surfaces include a secondary cushioning surface on which only either the opening or the bent portion is formed. [Appendix 5] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged on the base with a gap between adjacent cushioning surfaces. [Appendix 6] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged on the base so that adjacent cushioning surfaces abut against each other. [Appendix 7] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of tubes are formed to the same height or to different heights. [Appendix 8] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of tubes is formed as a square tube having the planar arrangement portion, the cushioning surfaces that elastically support both sides of the arrangement portion, and an abutment surface that abuts against the base, and the abutment surface and the base have tongues that are arranged inside the open ends of the square tubes. [Appendix 9] The cushioning material described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a square tube having a planar arrangement portion, the buffer surface that elastically supports both side portions of the arrangement portion, and an abutment surface that abuts against the base, the arrangement portion having a tongue portion that is arranged inside the open end of the square tube, and the tongue portion suppresses shear deformation of the square tube.[Appendix 10] The cushioning material according to Appendices 8 or 9, wherein 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. [Appendix 11] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of tubes is composed of a square tube having the planar arrangement portion, the buffer surface that elastically supports both sides of the arrangement portion, and an abutment surface that abuts against the base, and the abutment surface and the base are fixed to each other by fitting or bonding. [Appendix 12] The cushioning material according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11, wherein the biodegradable sheet is formed from corrugated cardboard or paperboard. [Appendix 13] A cushioning mechanism formed by arranging a plurality of cushioning materials according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12. [Appendix 14] The cushioning mechanism according to Appendices 13, wherein the cushioning material is formed by stacking a plurality of the biodegradable sheets. [Supplementary Note 15] A cushioning mechanism formed by stacking a plurality of the cushioning mechanisms according to Supplementary Note 13 or 14. [Supplementary Note 16] A method for manufacturing a cushioning material, comprising the steps of: providing a placement section where an object to be protected is placed and two cushioning surface areas supporting the placement section from both sides; forming an opening and a bent section extending radially from the opening in the cushioning surface area of ​​a blank plate formed from a biodegradable sheet; and opposing the two cushioning surface areas to form a plurality of square tubes each including the placement section and two cushioning surfaces supporting the placement section.

[0080] 10 Cushioning material, 11, 12 Square tube, 11A, 12A Fitting portion, 11B, 11C, 12B, 12C Folded portion, 13, 434 Base, 20, 40 Paper sheet, 41, 300, 310, 321 Cushioning mechanism, 100 Cushioning portion, 110, 112, 120, 122, 435, 437 Cushioning surface, 111, 121, 436 Arrangement portion, 113, 123, 430, 438 Contact surface, 115, 116, 125, 126 Bent portion, 131, 132 Base portion, 300, 310, 321 Cushioning mechanism, 401, 402, 403 Cushioning structure, 410 Frame portion, 420 Square tube portion, 431 Inner frame, 432 Connection portion, 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 Protrusions, 1131, 1133, 1231, 1233, 1311, 1313, 1321, 1323 Tongues, 4310, 4330 Protected object fitting holes, 4311, 4312, 4331, 4332 Flaps.

Claims

1. The apparatus includes: a placement section that supports an object to be protected; a plurality of tubes that support the placement section and each have a plurality of buffer surfaces that face each other; and a base on which the plurality of tubes are placed; It is formed from a biodegradable sheet, The plurality of buffer surfaces are formed with an opening and a plurality of bent portions extending from the opening, Each of the plurality of buffer surfaces is bent and stretched by the action of the bending portion in a direction in which the arrangement portion approaches the base and in a direction in which the arrangement portion moves away from the base, each of the plurality of tubes is formed of a square tube including the planar arrangement portion, the buffer surface that elastically supports both side portions of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that contacts the base; The abutment surface and the base include a tongue disposed inside the open end of the square tube. Buffer material.

2. The opening is formed in a polygonal shape, and the bent portion extends from each vertex. The bent portion is disposed in a straight line with other bent portions across the opening on each of the buffer surfaces, and extends in a direction intersecting with the other bent portions. The cushioning material according to claim 1.

3. The bent portions are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center point of the opening formed at the center of the buffer surface. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

4. The plurality of buffer surfaces include a secondary buffer surface in which only one of the opening portion and the bent portion is formed. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

5. The plurality of tubes are disposed on the base with the adjacent buffer surfaces spaced apart from each other. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

6. The plurality of tubes are disposed on the base such that the adjacent buffer surfaces abut against each other. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

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

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

9. A protective device comprising: a placement section for supporting an object to be protected; a plurality of tubes supporting the placement section and each having a plurality of buffer surfaces facing each other; and a base on which the plurality of tubes are placed; It is formed from a biodegradable sheet, The plurality of buffer surfaces are formed with an opening and a plurality of bent portions extending from the opening, Each of the plurality of buffer surfaces is bent and stretched by the action of the bending portion in a direction in which the arrangement portion approaches the base and in a direction in which the arrangement portion moves away from the base, each of the plurality of tubes is formed of a square tube including the planar arrangement portion, the buffer surface that elastically supports both side portions of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that contacts the base; The arrangement portion includes a tongue portion that is arranged on an inside of an open end of the square tube, The tongue portion is cut out from the arrangement portion in a flared shape in which the width of the tongue portion increases as the tip of the tongue portion approaches the open end of the square tube on which it is provided, the base of the tongue portion is formed in a state in which it is bent from the arrangement portion toward the inside of the square tube, and the portion of the tongue portion cut out in a flared shape from the arrangement portion is formed in a state in which it fits into the remaining portion of the arrangement portion from which the tongue portion was cut out, thereby suppressing shear deformation in a direction perpendicular to the multiple buffer surfaces of the square tube. Buffer material.

10. The tongue or the second tongue 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 formed of a square tube including the planar arrangement portion, the buffer surface that elastically supports both side portions of the arrangement portion, and a contact surface that contacts the base; The abutment surface and the base are fixed to each other by fitting or bonding. The cushioning material according to claim 1 .

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

13. The cushioning material according to claim 1 is formed by arranging a plurality of the cushioning materials. Buffer mechanism.

14. The cushioning material is formed by laminating a plurality of the biodegradable sheets. The shock absorbing mechanism according to claim 13.

15. The buffer mechanism according to claim 13 or 14 is formed by stacking a plurality of the buffer mechanisms. Buffer mechanism.

16. A planar arrangement portion on which an object to be protected is arranged and two buffer surface areas 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 buffer surface area of ​​the blank plate formed from a biodegradable sheet, By making the two regions for the buffer surfaces face each other, a plurality of square tubes having the arrangement portion and two buffer surfaces supporting the arrangement portion are formed so that the contact surfaces are brought into contact with the base; A tongue is formed between the abutment surface and the base on the inside of the open end of the square tube. Manufacturing method of cushioning material.

17. A planar arrangement section on which an object to be protected is arranged and two buffer surface areas which elastically support the arrangement section from both sides are provided, and an opening and a bent section extending radially from the opening are formed in the buffer surface area of ​​a blank plate formed from a biodegradable sheet, By making the two regions for the buffer surfaces face each other, a plurality of square tubes having the arrangement portion and two buffer surfaces supporting the arrangement portion are formed so that the contact surfaces are brought into contact with the base; A tongue portion is formed on the arrangement portion toward the inside of the open end of the square tube, The tongue portion is formed by bending a base of the tongue portion from the arrangement portion toward the inside of the square tube, and cutting the tongue portion from the arrangement portion in a flared shape in which the width of the tongue portion increases as the tip of the tongue portion approaches the open end of the square tube, and the portion of the tongue portion cut into a flared shape from the arrangement portion is fitted into the remaining portion of the arrangement portion from which the tongue portion was cut, thereby suppressing shear deformation in a direction perpendicular to the multiple buffer surfaces of the square tube. Manufacturing method of cushioning material.