Pulp mold cushioning material

Abstract

This invention improves a cushioning function of a pulp mold cushioning material. A pulp mold cushioning material (10) may have: a storage recess (11) into which at least a part of a stored object (90) is fitted; a support wall (13) that constitutes a part of the storage recess (11) and is in contact with the stored object (90); and a first groove part (21) and a second groove part (22) that are recessed from the support wall (13). The first groove part (21) may have a first side wall (21b) extending from a first edge (13a) of the support wall (13) to a bottom part (21a) of the first groove part (21). The second groove part (22) may have a second side wall (22b) extending from a second edge (13b) of the support wall (13) to a bottom part (22a) of the second groove part (22). The second side wall (22b) may be longer than the first side wall (21b).

Description

Molded pulp cushioning material

[0001] The present disclosure relates to molded pulp cushioning.

[0002] When transporting products such as electronic devices, cushioning materials are used to protect the products. The products are placed in outer boxes for transport with the cushioning materials attached to the outside of the products. Pulp-molded cushioning materials made from paper as a raw material are sometimes used as cushioning materials. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a pulp-molded cushioning material.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-182499

[0004] There is a demand for pulp molded cushioning materials with more sufficient cushioning function as cushioning materials for products.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the cushioning function of pulp molded cushioning materials.

[0006] The pulp molded cushioning material proposed in the present disclosure may include a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction, a support wall constituting a part of the storage recess and contacting the object to be stored in the first direction, a first groove recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second groove recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. The support wall may have a first edge extending along the second direction and a second edge extending along the third direction. The first groove may have a first sidewall extending from the first edge of the support wall to a bottom of the first groove. The second groove may have a second sidewall extending from the second edge of the support wall to a bottom of the second groove. The second side wall may be longer than the first side wall in the first direction, thereby improving the cushioning function of the pulp molded cushioning material.

[0007] The pulp molded cushioning material proposed in the present disclosure may have a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction, and an outer wall portion extending outward from the edge of the storage recess in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The storage recess may have a support wall facing the object to be stored in the second direction and in contact with the object, and a first recess and a second recess recessed outward from the support wall in the second direction and in the first direction from the outer wall portion. The first recess and the second recess may be in contact with the support wall and located opposite each other in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The outer wall portion may have an outer edge spaced outward from the first recess in the second direction and extending in the third direction. The distance from the outer edge to the first recess in the second direction may be longer than the distance from the outer edge to the second recess in the second direction. This improves the cushioning function of the pulp molded cushioning material.

[0008] 3A is a diagram showing an example of use of the pulp molded cushioning material proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing two pulp molded cushioning materials. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing the pulp molded cushioning material. FIG. 3D is a perspective view showing the pulp molded cushioning material from another angle. FIG. 3E is a perspective view showing the pulp molded cushioning material from another angle. FIG. 3F is a plan view showing the pulp molded cushioning material. FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional view showing the cut surface along line IV-IV in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3H is a cross-sectional view showing the cut surface along line V-V in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3I is a cross-sectional view showing the cut surface along line VI-VI in FIG. 3B.

[0009] [1. Overview of Pulp Molded Cushioning Material] Pulp molded cushioning materials 10A and 10B (hereinafter simply referred to as cushioning materials 10A and 10B), which are examples of cushioning materials proposed in this disclosure, will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of use of cushioning materials 10A and 10B. FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing two cushioning materials 10A and 10B. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are perspective views showing cushioning material 10A. FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views showing cushioning material 10A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line V-V in FIG. 3A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3B.

[0010] In the following description, the X1 and X2 directions of the X axis shown in FIG. 1A and elsewhere are defined as right and left, respectively. The Y1 and Y2 directions of the Y axis perpendicular to the X axis are defined as forward and backward, respectively. The Z1 and Z2 directions of the Z axis perpendicular to the X and Y axes are defined as upward and downward, respectively. However, the directions shown in FIG. 1A and elsewhere are defined to explain the shapes of the cushioning materials 10A and 10B and the relative positional relationships of each element. Therefore, the directions shown in FIG. 1A and elsewhere do not limit the posture of the cushioning materials 10A and 10B during use.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1A, the two cushioning materials 10A and 10B may accommodate the left and right portions of the object 90, respectively. As a result, the two cushioning materials 10A and 10B may be used to transport the object 90. However, the use of the cushioning materials 10A and 10B is not limited to this. The cushioning materials 10A and 10B may be configured to accommodate the entire object.

[0012] The contained object 90 is, for example, an electronic device. The electronic device may be a game device, a video / audio playback device, a personal computer, a server computer, or other computer. The cushioning materials 10A and 10B may be attached to the contained object 90 and housed together with the contained object 90 in an outer box (not shown) for transportation.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2A , cushioning material 10A may have a storage recess 11 into which at least a portion of a stored object 90 (see FIG. 1A ) is fitted in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), and an outer wall portion 12 that extends outward in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) from the edge of the storage recess 11. Also, as shown in FIG. 1B , cushioning material 10B may also have a storage recess 11 into which at least a portion of a stored object is fitted in the left-right direction, and an outer wall portion 12 that extends outward in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) from the edge of the storage recess 11. The storage recess 11 of cushioning material 10A may open to the right. Also, the storage recess 11 of cushioning material 10B may open to the left. This allows cushioning material 10A to accommodate the left portion of the stored object 90, and cushioning material 10B to accommodate the right portion of the stored object 90.

[0014] The structure of the two cushioning materials 10A, 10B may be symmetrical, or may be asymmetrical depending on the outer shape of the contained item 90. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the two cushioning materials 10A, 10B, these cushioning materials 10A, 10B will be simply referred to as cushioning material 10.

[0015] 2B and 4, the cushioning material 10 may have a support wall 13 that forms part of the storage recess 11 and contacts the stored object 90 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). The support wall 13 may be disposed at the bottom of the storage recess 11 and may face the same direction as the opening of the storage recess 11 (to the right in the example shown in FIG. 2B). The support wall 13 may face the outer surface of the stored object 90 inside the storage recess 11. The storage recess 11 may also have multiple support walls 13. Inside the storage recess 11, the multiple support walls 13 may be aligned along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0016] 2B , the accommodating recess 11 may have a first groove 21 recessed from the support wall 13 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) and extending along the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The accommodating recess 11 may have a second groove 22 recessed from the support wall 13 in the up-down direction and extending along a direction intersecting the left-right and up-down directions. The second groove 22 may extend, for example, along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) or in a direction inclined left and right relative to the front-rear direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2B , the second groove 22 extends in a curved manner relative to the front-rear direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3A , each support wall 13 may have a first edge 13a extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and a second edge 13b extending in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Each support wall 13 may be rectangular and may have one or two first edges 13a and two second edges 13b. As shown in FIGS. 3A , 5 , and 6 , the first groove 21 may have a first sidewall 21b (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) extending from the first edge 13a of the support wall 13 to the bottom 21a of the first groove 21 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Also, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 5 , the second groove 22 may have a second sidewall 22b (see FIG. 5 ) extending from the second edge 13b of the support wall 13 to the bottom 22a of the second groove 22 (see FIG. 5 ). The first side wall 21b may be connected to the support wall 13 via a first edge 13a. The second side wall 22b may be connected to the support wall 13 via a second edge 13b. This supports the support wall 13 and prevents the support wall 13 from separating from the outer surface of the contained item 90.

[0018] 2C and 4, the opposite side of the bottom 21a of the first groove 21 may be a convex portion 21c. The convex portion 21c may protrude from the support wall 13 in the direction opposite to the contained object 90 (e.g., to the left). Also, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 5, the opposite side of the bottom 22a of the second groove 22 may be a convex portion 22c. The convex portion 22c may protrude from the support wall 13 in the direction opposite to the contained object 90, similar to the convex portion 21c.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5 , in the left-right direction, the height D2 of the second side wall 22b constituting the second groove 22 (i.e., the depth of the second groove 22) may be longer than the height D1 of the first side wall 21b constituting the first groove 21 (i.e., the depth of the first groove 21). As a result, as shown in FIG. 2C , the convex portion 22c of the second groove 22 may protrude in the opposite direction (e.g., leftward) from the contained item 90 relative to the convex portion 21c of the first groove 21. As shown in FIG. 1B , the convex portion 22c of the second groove 22 may be disposed at the end of the cushioning material 10 (e.g., the left end of the cushioning material 10A). As a result, when a transport outer box (not shown) containing the contained item 90 with the cushioning material 10 attached thereto vibrates in the left-right direction, the convex portion 22c of the second groove 22 receives impact from the outer box.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the second side wall 22b constituting the second groove 22 is longer than the first side wall 21b constituting the first groove 21. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the convex portion 22c of the second groove 22 from outside the cushioning material 10 (e.g., an outer box containing the contained item 90 and the cushioning material 10), the second side wall 22b can buckle. More specifically, buckling can be concentrated in a region R1 of the second side wall 22b that contacts the bottom 22a of the second groove 22 and a region R2 of the second side wall 22b that is close to the bottom 21a of the first groove 21. This allows the second side wall 22b to be softer than the first side wall 21b, allowing the second groove 22 to absorb impact. As a result, transmission of impact to the support wall 13 and the contained item 90 can be suppressed, improving the cushioning function of the cushioning material 10.

[0021] Furthermore, even when multiple impacts are applied to the convex portion 22c of the second groove portion 22, the second groove portion 22 repeatedly absorbs the impacts, thereby preventing the impacts from being transmitted to the support wall 13 and the contained item 90. Furthermore, even when a large impact is applied to the convex portion 22c of the second groove portion 22, the second side wall 22b buckles, preventing the first side wall 21b from buckling. As a result, even after an impact is applied to the convex portion 22c of the second groove portion 22, the support wall 13 is supported by the first side wall 21b and the portion of the second side wall 22b that is not buckled or deformed, making it possible to continue supporting the contained item 90 via the support wall 13.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2B , the accommodating recess 11 may have a plurality of first grooves 21. Each of the plurality of first grooves 21 may be provided with two first side walls 21b (see Fig. 4 ). Inside the accommodating recess 11, the plurality of first grooves 21 may be aligned in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Each first groove 21 may be provided between two support walls 13 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0023] The number of the above-described second groove portions 22 may be smaller than the number of the first groove portions 21. In this way, the number of first side walls 22b included in the second groove portions 22 is reduced, and the number of first side walls 21b included in the first groove portions 21 is increased. In this way, the second groove portions 22 become softer and the first groove portions 21 become harder. As a result, external shocks can be absorbed by the second groove portions 22, and the first groove portions 21 can provide stronger support for the support wall 13 and the contained object 90.

[0024] In the example shown in Fig. 2B , the number of first groove portions 21 is three. However, the number of first groove portions 21 is not limited to this, and may be two, or may be four or more. Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 2B , the number of second groove portions 22 is two. However, the number of second groove portions 22 is not limited to this, and may be one, or may be three or more.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2B , in the accommodating recess 11, two second grooves 22 may be provided on the upper side (Z1 side) and lower side (Z2 side) of the support wall 13, respectively. Furthermore, a first groove 21 may be provided on the front side (Y1 side) and / or rear side (Y2 side) of the support wall 13. The upper and lower ends of the first groove 21 may be connected to the two second grooves 22. In this manner, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 5 , a corner 23 can be formed between the first side wall 21b and the second side wall 22b. This corner 23 can reinforce the support of the support wall 13 by the first side wall 21b.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the width D4 (see FIG. 6 ) of the second groove 22 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) may be smaller than the width D3 (see FIG. 4 ) of the first groove 21 in the front-rear direction. By reducing the width D4 of the second groove 22, the size of the support wall 13 and the first side wall 21b in the up-down direction can be ensured. This allows the first side wall 21b to firmly support the support wall 13. Furthermore, by increasing the width D3 of the first groove 21, the size of the support wall 13 and the second side wall 22b in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) can be reduced. This allows the second groove 22 to be flexible, allowing the second groove 22 to absorb external impacts.

[0027] The width D4 of the second groove portion 22 does not have to be uniform in the extension direction of the second groove portion 22, and may be different between the front end and the rear end of the second groove portion 22. As shown in Fig. 2C, the width D41 of the front end of the second groove portion 22 may be smaller than the width D42 of the rear end of the second groove portion 22.

[0028] 2A, 2B, and 6, the storage recess 11 may have a support wall 14 that faces the stored object 90 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and is in contact with the stored object 90. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 6, the storage recess 11 may have a first support wall 14a and a second support wall 14b that face each other in the vertical direction. The first support wall 14a may be located below the stored object 90, and the second support wall 14b may be located above the stored object 90.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3B , the accommodating recess 11 may have a plurality of first support walls 14a and a plurality of second support walls 14b. Inside the accommodating recess 11, the plurality of first support walls 14a may be aligned along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Inside the accommodating recess 11, the plurality of second support walls 14b may also be aligned along the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2B , the support walls 14 (the first support wall 14a and the second support wall 14b) may extend from the outer wall portion 12 to the bottom of the accommodating recess 11. A second groove 22 may be formed between the first support wall 14a and the support wall 13. Similarly, a second groove 22 may also be formed between the second support wall 14b and the support wall 13.

[0030] 2B and 3B, the accommodating recess 11 may have a plurality of recesses 31 to 34. The recesses 31 to 34 are recessed outward from the support wall 14 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and are recessed from the outer wall portion 12 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). More specifically, the accommodating recess 11 may have a first recess 31 and a second recess 32 recessed downward from the first support wall 14a, and a third recess 33 and a fourth recess 34 recessed upward from the second support wall 14b.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B , the first recess 31 may have a sidewall 31a extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the outer wall 12 and disposed at the lower end (end in the Z2 direction) of the first recess 31, and two sidewalls 31b (see FIG. 3B ) extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the outer wall 12 and facing each other in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the second recess 32 may have a sidewall 32a extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall 12 and disposed at the lower end of the second recess 32, and two sidewalls 32b extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall 12 and facing each other in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the third recess 33 may have a sidewall 33a extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall 12 and disposed at the upper end (end in the Z1 direction) of the third recess 33, and two sidewalls 33b extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall 12 and facing each other in the front-rear direction. In addition, the fourth recess 34 may have a side wall 33a extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall portion 12 and positioned at the upper end of the fourth recess 34, and two side walls 34b extending in the left-right direction from the outer wall portion 12 and facing each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3B , the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 may be in contact with the first support wall 14a and may be located on opposite sides of the first support wall 14a in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The length of the second recess 32 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) may be longer than the length of the first recess 31 in the same direction. Similarly, the third recess 33 and the fourth recess 34 may be in contact with the second support wall 14b and may be located on opposite sides of the second support wall 14b in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The length of the fourth recess 34 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) may be longer than the length of the third recess 33 in the same direction. The upper and lower sides of the storage recess 11 may have symmetrical shapes.

[0033] 3B , the outer wall portion 12 may have a first outer edge 12a that is spaced downward (in the Z2 direction) from the first recess 31 and extends in the front-to-rear direction (in the Y-axis direction), and a second outer edge 12b that is spaced upward (in the Z1 direction) from the third recess 33 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. When the accommodation recess 11 is viewed in the left-to-right direction (in the X-axis direction), a distance D5 from the first outer edge 12a to the first recess 31 in the up-down direction (in the Z-axis direction) may be longer than a distance D6 from the first outer edge 12a to the second recess 32 in the same direction. Furthermore, a distance D7 from the second outer edge 12b to the third recess 33 in the up-down direction may be longer than a distance D8 from the second outer edge 12b to the fourth recess 34 in the same direction.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B , the accommodating recess 11 may have a plurality of first recesses 31 recessed downward (in the Z2 direction) from the first support wall 14a. Inside the accommodating recess 11, the plurality of first recesses 31 may be aligned in the front-to-rear direction (the Y-axis direction). Each first recess 31 may be provided between two adjacent first support walls 14a in the front-to-rear direction. Similarly, the accommodating recess 11 may have a plurality of third recesses 33 recessed upward (in the Z1 direction) from the second support wall 14b and aligned in the front-to-rear direction. Each third recess 33 may be provided between two adjacent second support walls 14b in the front-to-rear direction.

[0035] 2B and 3B , the accommodating recess 11 may have two second recesses 32. The two second recesses 32 may be provided at the front end and the rear end of the cushioning material 10. A plurality of first recesses 31 may be provided between the two second recesses 32. The accommodating recess 11 may also have two fourth recesses 34. The two fourth recesses 34 may also be provided at the front end and the rear end of the cushioning material 10, and a plurality of third recesses 33 may be provided between the two fourth recesses 34.

[0036] 3B , the outer edges 12a and 12b of the outer wall 12 may be disposed at the lower end (end in the Z2 direction) and the upper end (end in the Z1 direction) of the cushioning material 10. As a result, when a transport outer box (not shown) containing the stored item 90 with the cushioning material 10 attached thereto is subjected to vertical vibrations, the outer edges 12a and 12b of the outer wall 12 will receive the impact from the outer box.

[0037] 3B , the distance D5 from the first outer edge 12a of the outer wall portion 12 to the first recess 31 is longer than the distance from the first outer edge 12a to the second recess 32. Therefore, when the outer edge 12a of the outer wall portion 12 receives an impact from the outside (for example, an outer box that houses the contained item 90 and the cushioning material 10), buckling can be caused in a region R3 of the outer wall portion 12 that contacts the first recess 31. More specifically, buckling can be concentrated in a region R3 of the outer wall portion 12 that is between two adjacent first recesses 31 and between adjacent first recesses 31 and second recesses 32 and that contacts the lower end of the first recess 31.

[0038] 3B , the distance D6 from the second outer edge 12b of the outer wall portion 12 to the third recess 33 is also longer than the distance from the second outer edge 12b to the fourth recess 34. Therefore, when an external impact is applied to the outer edge 12b of the outer wall portion 12, buckling can be caused in a region R4 of the outer wall portion 12 that contacts the third recess 33. More specifically, buckling can be concentrated in a region R4 of the outer wall portion 12 that is between two adjacent third recesses 33 and between adjacent third recesses 33 and fourth recesses 34 and that contacts the lower end of the third recess 33.

[0039] As described above, external impacts on the first outer edge 12a and the second outer edge 12b of the outer wall portion 12 can be absorbed in the regions R3 and R4 of the outer wall portion 12. This prevents the impact from being transmitted to the support wall 14 and the contained item 90, improving the cushioning function of the cushioning material 10. Furthermore, even when multiple impacts are applied to the first outer edge 12a and the second outer edge 12b, the support wall 14 repeatedly absorbs the impacts, thereby preventing the impacts from being transmitted to the support wall 14 and the contained item 90. Furthermore, even when a large impact is applied to the first outer edge 12a and the second outer edge 12b, buckling occurs in the support wall 14, preventing buckling of the side wall 31b of the first recess 31 and the side wall 32b of the second recess 32. As a result, even after the first outer edge 12a and the second outer edge 12b are impacted, the support walls 14a and 14b are supported by the side walls 31b and 32b and the parts of the outer wall portion 12 that have not buckled or deformed, making it possible to continue supporting the contained item 90 via the support walls 14a and 14b.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3B , the distance D6 from the first outer edge 12a to the second recess 32 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) may be short. The first outer edge 12a may include a sidewall 32a located at the lower end (end in the Z2 direction) of the second recess 32. Similarly, the distance D8 from the second outer edge 12b to the fourth recess 34 in the vertical direction may be short. The second outer edge 12b may include a sidewall 34a located at the upper end (end in the Z1 direction) of the fourth recess 34. This ensures the strength of the first outer edge 12a and the second outer edge 12b of the outer wall portion 12. This prevents the cushioning material 10 from deforming in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0041] 2A , 2B , and 4 , the accommodation recess 11 may have a third support wall 15 and a fourth support wall 16 that face the accommodated object 90 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 ) in the front-rear direction (Y axis direction) and contact the accommodated object 90. The third support wall 15 may be located in front of the accommodated object 90, and the fourth support wall 16 may be located behind the accommodated object 90. In the example shown in FIG. 2B , the accommodation recess 11 has one third support wall 15 and one fourth support wall 16. However, the arrangement is not limited to this, and the accommodation recess 11 may have a plurality of third support walls 15 or a plurality of fourth support walls 16.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B , the accommodation recess 11 may have a fifth recess 35 recessed forward from the third support wall 15 and recessed in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the outer wall portion 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 3B , the outer wall portion 12 may have a third outer edge 12c spaced forward from the third support wall 15 and extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and a fourth outer edge 12d spaced forward from the fourth support wall 16 and extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Here, a distance D9 from the third outer edge 12c to the third recess 33 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) may be longer than a distance D10 from the third outer edge 12c to the second recess 32 in the same direction. Also, a distance D9 from the third outer edge 12c to the third recess 33 in the front-rear direction may be longer than a distance D11 from the third outer edge 12c to the fourth recess 34 in the same direction.

[0043] 3B , the third outer edge 12c of the outer wall portion 12 may be disposed at the front end of the cushioning material 10. As described above, the outer wall portion 12 has a distance D9 from the third outer edge 12c to the fifth recess 35. Therefore, when the third outer edge 12c of the outer wall portion 12 receives an impact from the outside (e.g., an outer box that houses the contained item 90 and the cushioning material 10), buckling can occur in the region of the outer wall portion 12 between the third outer edge 12c and the fifth recess 35. This allows the outer wall portion 12 to absorb the impact received at the third outer edge 12c of the outer wall portion 12, and prevents the impact from being transmitted to the third support wall 15 and the contained item 90 supported thereby.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3B , the distance D10 from the third outer edge 12c to the fourth recess 32 and the distance D11 from the third outer edge 12c to the fourth recess 34 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) may be short. The third outer edge 12c may include a side wall 32b disposed at the front end (end in the Y1 direction) of the fourth recess 32 and a side wall 34b disposed at the front end of the fourth recess 34. Similarly, the distances in the front-rear direction from the fourth outer edge 12d to the fourth recess 32 and the distances from the fourth outer edge 12d to the fourth recess 34 may also be short. The fourth outer edge 12d may include a side wall 32b disposed at the rear end (end in the Y2 direction) of the fourth recess 32 and a side wall 34b disposed at the rear end of the fourth recess 34. This ensures the strength of the third outer edge 12c and the fourth outer edge 12d of the outer wall portion 12 and suppresses deformation of the cushioning material 10 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0045] The storage recess 11 may have a recess (not shown) that is recessed rearward from the fourth support wall 16 and recessed in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the outer wall portion 12. By doing so, when an impact is applied to the fourth outer edge 12d (see FIG. 3B ) of the outer wall portion 12, buckling occurs in the region of the outer wall portion 12 between the fourth outer edge 12d and the recess, thereby preventing the impact from being transmitted to the fourth support wall 16 and the stored item 90 supported thereby. This also improves the cushioning function of the cushioning material 10.

[0046] [5. Summary] (1) The pulp molded cushioning material proposed in the present disclosure may include a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction; a support wall constituting a portion of the storage recess and contacting the object to be stored in the first direction; a first groove recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a second groove recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The support wall may have a first edge extending along the second direction and a second edge extending along the third direction. The first groove may have a first sidewall extending from the first edge of the support wall to a bottom of the first groove. The second groove may have a second sidewall extending from the second edge of the support wall to a bottom of the second groove. The second side wall may be longer than the first side wall in the first direction, whereby external shocks can be absorbed in the second groove portion, improving the cushioning function of the pulp molded cushioning material.

[0047] (2) The pulp molded cushioning material of (1) above may have a plurality of the first grooves having the first side wall and at least one second groove having the second side wall. The number of the second grooves may be less than the number of the first grooves. This allows the second grooves to be soft and the first grooves to be hard, allowing the second grooves to absorb external impacts and the first grooves to provide strong support for the support wall and the contained items.

[0048] (3) In the pulp molded cushioning material of (1) or (2) above, the storage recess may have a plurality of the support walls aligned along the third direction, and the first groove may be provided between two adjacent support walls.

[0049] (4) In any of the pulp molded cushioning materials (1) to (3) above, the width of the second groove portion in a direction intersecting the third direction may be smaller than the width of the first groove portion in a direction intersecting the second direction.

[0050] (5) The pulp molded buffer material of any of (1) to (4) above may further include an outer wall portion extending outward in the second direction from the edge of the storage recess. The storage recess may include a second support wall facing the stored object in the second direction and in contact with the stored object, and a first recess and a second recess recessed outward in the second direction from the second support wall and in the first direction from the outer wall portion. The first recess and the second recess may be in contact with the second support wall and located opposite each other in the third direction. The outer wall portion may have an outer edge spaced outward in the second direction from the first recess and extending in the third direction. The distance from the outer edge to the first recess in the second direction may be longer than the distance from the outer edge to the second recess in the second direction. This allows the outer wall portion to absorb external impacts, improving the buffering function of the pulp molded buffer material.

[0051] (6) The pulp molded cushioning material proposed in the present disclosure may have a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction, and an outer wall portion extending outward from the edge of the storage recess in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The storage recess may have a support wall facing the object to be stored in the second direction and in contact with the object, and a first recess and a second recess recessed outward from the support wall in the second direction and inward from the outer wall portion in the first direction. The first recess and the second recess may be in contact with the support wall and located opposite each other in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The outer wall portion may have an outer edge spaced outward from the first recess in the second direction and extending in the third direction. The distance from the outer edge to the first recess in the second direction may be longer than the distance from the outer edge to the second recess in the second direction. This allows the outer wall portion to absorb external impacts, improving the cushioning function of the pulp molded cushioning material.

[0052] (7) In the pulp molded cushioning material of (6) above, the storage recess may have a plurality of the first recesses aligned along the third direction.

[0053] (8) In the pulp molded cushioning material of (6) or (7) above, the storage recess may have two of the second recesses aligned along the third direction, and the first recess may be provided between the two second recesses.

[0054] (9) In the pulp molded cushioning material of any of (6) to (8) above, the storage recess may have a first support wall and a second support wall that contact the stored object and face each other in the second direction. The first recess and the second recess may be recessed outward from the first support wall in the second direction and recessed from the outer wall in the first direction. The storage recess may further have a third recess and a fourth recess that are recessed outward from the second support wall in the second direction and recessed from the outer wall in the first direction. The first recess and the second recess may contact the first support wall and be located opposite each other in the third direction. The third recess and the fourth recess may contact the second support wall and be located opposite each other in the third direction. The outer wall portion may have a first outer edge spaced outward from the first recess in the second direction and extending in the third direction, and a second outer edge spaced outward from the third recess in the second direction and extending in the third direction. The distance from the first outer edge to the first recess in the second direction may be longer than the distance from the first outer edge to the second recess in the second direction. The distance from the second outer edge to the third recess in the second direction may be longer than the distance from the second outer edge to the fourth recess in the second direction.

[0055] It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and that the subject matter encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pulp molded cushioning material having: a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction; a support wall constituting part of the storage recess and contacting the object to be stored in the first direction; a first groove portion recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a second groove portion recessed from the support wall in the first direction and extending along a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, wherein the support wall has a first edge extending along the second direction and a second edge extending along the third direction, the first groove portion having a first side wall extending from the first edge of the support wall to a bottom of the first groove portion, and the second groove portion having a second side wall extending from the second edge of the support wall to a bottom of the second groove portion, wherein the second side wall is longer than the first side wall in the first direction.

2. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of first groove portions each having the first side wall, and at least one second groove portion each having the second side wall, wherein the number of second groove portions is less than the number of first groove portions.

3. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the storage recess has a plurality of the support walls aligned along the third direction, and the first groove is provided between two adjacent support walls.

4. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the width of the second groove portion in the direction intersecting the third direction is smaller than the width of the first groove portion in the direction intersecting the second direction.

5. A pulp molded cushioning material as described in claim 1, further comprising an outer wall portion extending outward in the second direction from the edge of the storage recess, wherein the storage recess has: a second support wall facing the stored object in the second direction and in contact with the stored object; and a first recess and a second recess recessed outward in the second direction from the second support wall and recessed in the first direction from the outer wall portion, wherein the first recess and the second recess are in contact with the second support wall and are located opposite each other in the third direction, wherein the outer wall portion is spaced outward in the second direction from the first recess and has an outer edge extending in the third direction, and wherein the distance from the outer edge to the first recess in the second direction is longer than the distance from the outer edge to the second recess in the second direction.

6. A pulp molded cushioning material having: a storage recess into which at least a portion of an object to be stored is fitted in a first direction; and an outer wall portion extending outward from the edge of the storage recess in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, wherein the storage recess has: a support wall facing the object to be stored in the second direction and in contact with the object; and a first recess and a second recess recessed outward from the support wall in the second direction and inward from the outer wall portion in the first direction, wherein the first recess and the second recess are in contact with the support wall and are located opposite each other in a third direction intersecting with the first and second directions, wherein the outer wall portion is spaced outward from the first recess in the second direction and has an outer edge extending in the third direction, and wherein the distance from the outer edge to the first recess in the second direction is longer than the distance from the outer edge to the second recess in the second direction.

7. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 6, wherein the storage recess has a plurality of the first recesses aligned along the third direction.

8. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 6, wherein the storage recess has two of the second recesses aligned along the third direction, and the first recess is provided between the two second recesses.

9. The storage recess has a first support wall and a second support wall that are in contact with the stored object and that face each other in the second direction, the first recess and the second recess are recessed outward from the first support wall in the second direction and are recessed from the outer wall portion in the first direction, the storage recess further has a third recess and a fourth recess that are recessed outward from the second support wall in the second direction and are recessed from the outer wall portion in the first direction, the first recess and the second recess are in contact with the first support wall and are located opposite each other in the third direction, the third recess and the fourth recess are in contact with the second support wall and are located opposite each other in the third direction, and the outer wall portion has a first outer edge that is spaced outward from the first recess in the second direction and extends in the third direction, and a second outer edge that is spaced outward from the third recess in the second direction and extends in the third direction, 7. The pulp molded cushioning material according to claim 6, wherein the distance from the first outer edge to the first recess in the second direction is longer than the distance from the first outer edge to the second recess in the second direction, and the distance from the second outer edge to the third recess in the second direction is longer than the distance from the second outer edge to the fourth recess in the second direction.

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