JP7769902B2 - Multi-package and packaging system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-package and a packaging system.

A known specification for packaging precision machinery products is the "multi-packaging specification," in which the product (packaged item 1) is wrapped in inner packaging material 2 to secure the product, then placed in an inner cardboard box 3, which is then fitted with outer cushioning material 4 for shock absorption, and finally placed in an outer box 5 (see Figure 1).

This multiple packaging specification is adopted when the following two conditions are met in order to ensure product protection quality.
(Condition 1) When the packaged item 1 has low rigidity and there is a risk of structural deformation due to its own weight or vibrations or impacts from dropping during distribution, and fixation and rigidity support by the inner packaging material 2 and the inner box 3 are required (see Figure 1 (a)).
(Condition 2) When the packaged item 1 has many protruding shapes (pins, gears, etc.) on its exterior, and when an impact-absorbing packaging material 6 such as cardboard is attached directly to the packaged item 1, there is a risk that holes will be made in the packaging material or that the protruding shapes of the packaged item 1 will be damaged (see Figure 2).
It is generally difficult to form a complex uneven shape in the shock-absorbing packaging material 6 such as corrugated cardboard.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the multiple packaging specification in Figure 1(b) viewed from the top. In the multiple packaging specification, shock-absorbing exterior cushioning material 4 is attached to the inner box 3, so the vibration and drop impact (i.e., impact acceleration) that the packaged item 1 experiences during logistics can be absorbed by the characteristics (actions) of the exterior cushioning material 4, primarily the compressive deformation and compressive stress. For example, even if the packaged item 1 is subjected to an impact acceleration of up to several hundred Gs, a technology is known and already in use that can reduce the impact acceleration to less than 100 Gs by using the exterior cushioning material 4.

As an example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cushioning material that has shock-absorbing properties and is made of molded pulp, which is pre-formed into an appropriate flat structure to create a required three-dimensional structure that fits the shape of the item, and then folded at a specific location when in use to create the required three-dimensional structure.

Incidentally, conventional shock-absorbing exterior cushioning material 4 is provided at the corners of the inner box 3, and the shock-absorbing function of the entire package depends on the compressive stress characteristics (action) of the interior packaging material 2 and the exterior cushioning material 4. This compressive stress characteristic is determined by the thickness of each of the interior packaging material 2 and the exterior cushioning material 4, and/or the combined cushioning distance (see Figure 4), which is the sum of the distance from the packaged item to the exterior box.

The point of maximum efficiency for impact cushioning due to this compressive stress characteristic occurs when the compressive strain is between 0.5 and 0.65, and it is already known that this is the limit of the impact cushioning function of this configuration. Furthermore, the impact cushioning function of the combination of the interior packaging material 2 and the exterior cushioning material 4 was approximately the same even when the same cushioning distance was achieved with a single cushioning material, rather than using multiple packaging specifications.

As such, little consideration has been given to further improving the shock-absorbing function by taking advantage of the unique structure of the multi-packaging specification, and this has not been realized.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a multi-layer package that can improve impact absorption functionality compared to conventional specifications.

The above problem is solved by a multiple-layer package comprising an inner box having an inner packaging material therein that secures a packaged item, an outer box that houses the inner box, and an outer cushioning material provided between the inner box and the outer box, wherein the outer cushioning material has a flat plate that forms a three-dimensional structure with surfaces that correspond to each surface of the inner box when folded, and at least one impact cushioning member provided on each expanded surface of the flat plate when the three-dimensional structure is expanded into a planar structure , the impact cushioning member is arranged on the opposite side of the inner packaging material across the surface of the inner box and in a position that is separated from and does not overlap with the interior packaging material of the inner box in a planar view , and when subjected to vibration or a drop impact, the impact cushioning member bends and deforms the corresponding surface of the inner box, and generates a bending stress together with the interior packaging material in addition to a compressive stress .

When the multi-layer package of the present invention is subjected to an impact, bending stress is also generated in addition to compressive stress in the interior packaging material and impact-absorbing member. Since the bending reaction force is usually lower than the compressive reaction force, the multi-layer package of the present invention can improve the impact-absorbing function compared to conventional specifications.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional multiple packaging specification. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaged object and an impact-absorbing packaging material that is directly attached to the packaged object. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multiple packaging specification of FIG. 1(b) as seen from the top surface. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the cushioning distance when the interior packaging material and the exterior cushioning material are combined. 1A is a perspective view of a multi-package before packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the multi-package after packaging. 1A is a perspective view of the exterior cushioning material of this embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a developed view of the exterior cushioning material. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-package body of the present embodiment as viewed from the top surface. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the deformation state of the multi-package body of FIG. 7 when subjected to vibration or drop impact. 10 is a graph showing reaction force characteristics of a conventional configuration and the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a development view (part 1) of an exterior cushioning material according to a modified example of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a second development view of an exterior cushioning material according to a modified example of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exterior cushioning material according to a modified example of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shock-absorbing member according to a modified example of the present invention. 1A is a perspective view showing a flat plate on which a cut-and-raised portion is formed, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a flat plate including a shock-absorbing member fixed to the cut-and-raised portion.

Figure 5(a) is a perspective view of a multi-package according to one embodiment of the present invention before packaging, and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view of the multi-package after packaging. As shown in Figure 5(a), the multi-package 10 comprises an inner box 14 having an inner packaging material 12 therein that secures the packaged item (product), an outer box 16 that houses the inner box 14, and outer cushioning material 18 provided between the inner box 14 and the outer box 16. Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), the inner box 14 to which the packaged item is secured is fitted with outer cushioning material 18 for shock absorption, and the product is then placed in the outer box 16 for packaging, thereby completing the multi-package 10.

For ease of understanding, Figure 5 does not show the packaged items (products) contained in the inner box 14. For the multi-package 10 including the packaged items (products), please refer to Figure 7, which will be described later.

Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the exterior cushioning material of this embodiment, and Figure 6(b) is a developed view of the exterior cushioning material. The exterior cushioning material 18 is composed of one flat plate 18a and at least one impact cushioning member 18b attached to the flat plate 18a, and can be folded at a predetermined folding portion 18c during use to form a predetermined three-dimensional structure.

In other words, the flat plate 18a can form a three-dimensional structure with surfaces corresponding to each surface of the inner box 14, and at least one impact buffer member 18b is provided on each surface of the flat plate 18a when this three-dimensional structure is expanded into a planar structure.

The flat plate 18a is made of cardboard or similar material, and the folded portion 18c can be formed by creasing or half-cutting. The shock-absorbing member 18b is made of foamed resin (foam plastic), pulp mold, or cardboard. The shock-absorbing member 18b is then adhered to the flat plate 18a with adhesive.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-package of this embodiment, viewed from the top. As shown in Figure 7, the impact-absorbing member 18b provided on the exterior cushioning material 18 is positioned so as not to overlap with the interior packaging material 12 inside the interior box 14, when viewed in a plan view from the direction of arrow A (or arrow B).

Due to this configuration, when the multi-package 10 of this embodiment is subjected to vibration or a drop impact, as shown in Figure 8, a large moment load M is applied to the surface (side) of the inner box 14, causing the side of the inner box 14 to bend. In other words, the inner packaging material 12 and the impact-absorbing member 18b are subjected to bending stress in addition to compressive stress.

Normally, the bending reaction force is lower than the compressive reaction force. Therefore, the reaction force characteristics of the interior packaging material 12 and impact cushioning member 18b are smaller than those of the conventional configuration (compressive stress characteristics determined by the combined cushioning distance of the interior packaging material 2 and exterior cushioning material 4, as shown in Figures 3 and 4), thereby reducing the impact acceleration applied to the packaged item 1.

Figure 9 is a graph showing the reaction force characteristics of a conventional configuration and this embodiment. In Figure 9, the horizontal axis represents deformation (mm) and the vertical axis represents reaction force (N). This embodiment (combined reaction force of compression and bending) exhibits a gentler rise in reaction force compared to the conventional configuration (single reaction force of compression), improving the shock absorption function of the packaging.

The multi-layer package of this embodiment can be used as a packaging system for packaging an image forming device (e.g., a copier, printer, etc.) as the packaged object.

Next, we will explain a modified example of this embodiment.

(Variation 1)
At least two or more impact buffering members 18b may be provided on each developed surface of the flat plate 18a. In Fig. 10, two impact buffering members 18b are provided on one developed surface of the flat plate 18a. By increasing or decreasing the number of impact buffering members 18b, the multi-layer package 10 can be provided with an impact buffering function that matches the rigidity or mass of the packaged items (products).

(Variation 2)
6, shock absorbing members 18b are provided on each of the developed surfaces of flat plates 18a corresponding to all six faces of the hexahedral inner box 14. This configuration allows shock absorbing function to be exerted on all six faces of the inner box 14. Alternatively, shock absorbing members 18b may be disposed on any face of the inner box 14.

For example, as shown in Figure 11, shock-absorbing members 18b may be provided on each expanded surface of a flat plate 18a corresponding to each side (all four sides) of the inner box 14, excluding the top and bottom. If shock-absorbing members 18b are not provided on the top and bottom, the dimensions of the outer box 16 can be reduced, thereby ensuring shock-absorbing functionality on all four sides while also achieving downsizing.

(Variation 3)
6, the shock absorbing members 18b are provided so as to protrude toward the surface of the inner box 14. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, the shock absorbing members 18b may be provided so as to protrude toward the surface of the outer box 16.

When the shock-absorbing member 18b is provided so as to protrude toward the surface of the inner box 14 (Figure 6), it is configured to abut against the surface of the inner box 14, ensuring that the moment load M is applied to the side of the inner box 14 (see Figure 8).

On the other hand, when the shock-absorbing member 18b is provided so as to protrude toward the surface of the outer box 16 (Figure 11), it presses against the surface of the inner box 14 via the flat plate 18a, thereby reducing the moment load M acting on the surface of the inner box 14. This is advantageous when the inner box 14 itself has low rigidity.

(Variation 4)
13 is a perspective view of a shock-absorbing member according to a modified example of the present invention. The shock-absorbing member 18b' has a tapered shape in which the cross section narrows toward the protruding tip. This configuration can further increase the moment load M (see FIG. 8) acting on the surface of the interior box 14, thereby further improving the shock-absorbing function.

The multi-package 10 of the present invention can be used with a shock-absorbing member 18b of a selected configuration depending on the specifications (configuration) of the packaged item 1, the inner box 14, and/or the outer box 16.

(Variation 5)
14(a) is a perspective view showing a flat plate having a cut-and-raised portion formed thereon, and FIG. 14(b) is a perspective view showing a flat plate including an impact buffer member fixed to the cut-and-raised portion. In attaching the impact buffer member 18b to the flat plate 18a, the impact buffer member 18b may be provided with a retaining portion 19, and the flat plate 18a may be formed with a cut-and-raised portion 18d into which the impact buffer member 18b is inserted and fixed.

This configuration is advantageous because the flat plate 18a and shock-absorbing member 18b can be easily separated when disposing of the product.

(Verification test)
A comparative verification test of impact acceleration applied to the packaged items between the conventional multi-package and the multi-package of the present invention will be described.
Verification method: Using exterior boxes of the same size, the impact acceleration applied to the packaged items was measured for the conventional specifications (FIG. 1(b)) and the specifications of the present invention (FIG. 5(b)).

(Common to both conventional and present specifications)
Outer box: JIS Z0201A type outer box (material: K5 liner A flute outer box)
Inner box: JIS Z0201A type outer box (material: K5 liner A flute outer box)
(conventional specifications)
Exterior cushioning material: EPE material with a foaming ratio of 50 times (t = 50 mm)
(Specifications of the present invention)
Shock absorbing material for exterior cushioning EPE material with a foaming ratio of 50 times (t = 50 mm)
Flat outer cushioning material K5 liner A-flute cardboard

Results: The results are shown in Table 1.
The results showed that the average impact acceleration value for the inventive specifications was approximately 25% smaller than that for the conventional specifications, and the variation (standard deviation) was also smaller.

This verification test showed that the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the impact acceleration applied to the packaged item compared to conventional configurations.

The present invention has been described in detail above using an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, multiple embodiments (variations) may be combined with each other.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Packaged item 2 Inner packaging material 3, 14 Inner box 4 Shock-absorbing exterior cushioning material 5, 16 Exterior box 6 Shock-absorbing packaging material 10 Multi-packaged body 12 Inner packaging material 18 Exterior cushioning material 18a Flat plate 18b, 18b' Shock-absorbing member 18c Folded portion 18d Cut-and-raised portion 19 Anti-slip portion

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-61476

Claims (12)

an inner box having an inner packaging material therein for fixing the packaged item;
an outer box that houses the inner box;
an exterior cushioning material provided between the inner box and the outer box;
In a multiple package comprising:
the exterior cushioning material includes a flat plate that forms a three-dimensional structure having surfaces corresponding to the respective surfaces of the interior box when folded, and at least one impact cushioning member provided on each expanded surface of the flat plate when the three-dimensional structure is expanded into a planar structure ;
The impact-absorbing member is disposed on the opposite side of the surface of the inner box from the interior packaging material, and in a position separated from the interior packaging material of the inner box without overlapping with the interior packaging material in a plan view , and when subjected to vibration or a drop impact, the impact-absorbing member bends and deforms the corresponding surface of the inner box, causing compressive stress together with the interior packaging material and also bending stress . 2. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein at least two shock absorbing members are provided for each of the deployed surfaces of the flat plate. The inner box is a hexahedron,
3. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one shock absorbing member is provided for each of the developed surfaces of the flat plate corresponding to each surface of the inner box. The inner box is a hexahedron,
3. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one shock absorbing member is provided on each of the developed surfaces of the flat plate corresponding to each side surface of the inner box excluding the top and bottom surfaces. 5. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member is provided so as to protrude toward a surface of the inner box. 5. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member is provided so as to protrude toward a surface of the outer box. 7. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member is made of foamed resin, pulp mold, or corrugated cardboard. 8. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the flat plate is made of corrugated cardboard. 9. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member is adhered to the flat plate with an adhesive. 9. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing member has a retaining portion and is inserted into a cut-and-raised portion formed on the flat plate to be fixed thereto. 11. The multi-package according to claim 1 , wherein the impact buffering member has a tapered shape in which the cross section narrows toward the protruding tip. A packaging system using the multi-package according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in an image forming apparatus.