BUFFER MATERIAL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-100516 filed Jun. 20, 2023.

BACKGROUND
(i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to a buffer material.

(ii) Related Art

JP3408774B (claim 1 and FIGS. 1 to 3) describes a protective device that holds a hard disk device between a first outer shell body and a second outer shell body that are put into a face-to-face state, the protective device including a buffer body, a lock unit, an attachment member, and a displacement suppression member.

JP6004417B (claim 1 and FIGS. 1 to 5) describes a corrugated cardboard packing buffer body that is mounted on an end portion of a product housed in a packing case, the corrugated cardboard packing buffer body including a product housing recess portion that is open upward and inward and is surrounded by a lower support portion, a side support portion, and a back end support portion.

SUMMARY

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a buffer material that can take in and out an accommodation target object even while inside a box as a buffer material used in a case where the accommodation target object is accommodated inside the box.

Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a buffer material including a body portion that has two wall portions forming an accommodation space for accommodating an accommodation target object to be accommodated inside a box, an opening and closing portion that is provided on one wall portion of the two wall portions of the body portion, and is movable between a closed state where the accommodation space is closed and an open state where the accommodation space is open, and an opening restriction portion that restricts the opening and closing portion in the open state from moving to the closed state of the opening and closing portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example in a case where the buffer material of FIG. 1 is used;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the buffer material of FIG. 1 is taken into a box;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a state where the buffer material of FIG. 1 and an accommodation target object are taken into the box and an opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in an open state, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion is put into a closed state in the state of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of one buffer material is in the open state, and FIG. 5B is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in a closed state in the state of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of the other buffer material is in the open state, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in a closed state in the state of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a side explanatory view showing a relationship between the buffer material and taking in-and-out of the accommodation target object, and FIG. 7B is a side explanatory view showing, with a partial cross section, a state where the accommodation target object is accommodated inside an accommodation space of the buffer material of FIG. 7A and the opening and closing portion is put into the closed state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 2;

FIG. 9A is a side view showing a state in a case where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 8 is in an open state, and FIG. 9B is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in a closed state in the state of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a state where the buffer material of FIG. 8 and an accommodation target object are taken into a box and the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in the open state, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion is put into the closed state in the state of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 3;

FIG. 12A is a side view showing a state in a case where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 11 is in an open state, and FIG. 12B is a side view showing a state in a case where the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in a closed state in the state of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a state where the buffer material of FIG. 11 and an accommodation target object are taken into a box and the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in the open state, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view showing a state in a process where the opening and closing portion is put into the closed state in the state of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 4, and FIG. 14B is a side view showing a state where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 14A is in an open state and a state where the opening and closing portion is in a closed state;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in a case where the buffer material of FIG. 1, the buffer material of FIG. 11, and the accommodation target object are taken into the box, and the opening and closing portion of the buffer material is in the open state;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in a case where an opening and closing portion of a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 is in an open state;

FIG. 17A is a side view showing a state in a case where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 16 is in a closed state, and FIG. 17B is a side view, with a partial cross section, a state in a case where an accommodation target object is accommodated inside an accommodation space of the buffer material of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18A is a side view showing a state in a case where a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 6 is unfolded, and FIG. 18B is a side view showing a state where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 18A is in a closed state;

FIG. 19A is a side view showing a state in a case where a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 7 is unfolded, and FIG. 19B is a side view showing a state where an opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 19A is in a closed state;

FIG. 20A is a side view showing a state in a case where a buffer material according to Exemplary Embodiment 8 is unfolded, and FIG. 20B is a side view showing a state in progress in a case where the buffer material of FIG. 20A is used;

FIG. 21A is a side view showing a state where an opening and closing portion on an upper portion is in an open state in the stage of using the buffer material of FIGS. 20A and 20B, and FIG. 21B is a side view showing a state where the opening and closing portion of the buffer material of FIG. 21A is in a closed state;

FIG. 22 is a side explanatory view showing a relationship between the buffer material of FIGS. 21A and 21B and taking in-and-out of the accommodation target object;

FIG. 23 is a side explanatory view showing a relationship between the buffer material of FIGS. 21A and 21B and another taking in-and-out of the accommodation target object; and

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of Modification Example 1 of the buffer material, and FIG. 24B is a perspective view of Modification Example 2 of the buffer material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example in a case where the buffer material 1A is used. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the buffer material 1A is taken into a box.

In the present specification and the drawings, substantially identical components will be denoted by identical reference numerals, and the repeated description of the identical components will be omitted in the present specification.

Outline of Buffer Material and Like

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the buffer material 1A is formed with two buffer materials 2A and 3A that are used by being taken into a box 100 that accommodates an accommodation target object 90.

Here, the accommodation target object 90 is a structure that needs to be accommodated inside the box 100 by using the buffer material. The accommodation target object 90 is, for example, a product such as various devices and replacement components.

In addition, the box 100 is a box that can accommodate the accommodation target object 90 by using the buffer material. The box 100 is, for example, a packing box used for packing.

The box 100 shown in FIG. 2 is a box of a shape having a rectangular bottom surface portion 101, four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105, and four lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115.

The four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105 are portions that are folded at substantially right angles from four sides of the rectangular bottom surface portion 101 to form rectangular side surfaces that rise upward. The four lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are portions that form rectangular opening and closing lids that foldably extend from upper ends of the four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105, respectively.

The inside of the box 100 is, for example, a space surrounded by the bottom surface portion 101 and the four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105. The bottom surface portion 101 is not limited to the bottom surface portion formed with one sheet from the beginning, and may be completed by combining surface portions divided into a plurality of sheets.

Reference numeral 130 in FIG. 2 is, for example, an end portion of an adhesive tape attached to the bottom surface portion 101 of the box 100 from the outside. In some drawings such as FIG. 3, for convenience, the box 100 is shown in a state where a part of the box 100 is cut out.

Two Buffer Materials

As shown in FIG. 1, the two buffer materials 2A and 3A include body portions 20 and 30, opening and closing portions 25 and 35, opening restriction portions 27 and 37, closing restriction portions 28 and 38, side surface contact portions 29 and 39, and the like, respectively.

Body Portion

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIGS. 5A and 5B, the body portion 20 of the buffer material 2A is a portion having two wall portions 21 and 22 forming an accommodation space S1 for accommodating the accommodation target object 90 and a bottom portion 23 connecting the wall portions 21 and 22.

In a substantially identical manner to in a case of the body portion 20, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIGS. 6A and 6B, the body portion 30 of the buffer material 3A is a portion having two wall portions 31 and 32 forming an accommodation space S2 for accommodating the accommodation target object 90 and a bottom portion 33 connecting the lower portions of the wall portions 31 and 32.

The body portions 20 and 30 are formed in a shape and dimensions such that the body portions 20 and 30 are accommodated inside the box 100 as a whole.

As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and the like, the body portion 20 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 has an integral structure in which the prismatic columnar bottom portion 23 is continuous at each lower portion of the prismatic columnar wall portions 21 and 22, and has a structure in which the entire side surface looks like a recess shape.

In addition, the body portion 20 forms the accommodation space S1 with an inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23 as a bottom surface, the accommodation space S1 being surrounded by an inner surface 23a, and inner surfaces 21a and 22a inside the two wall portions 21 and 22 facing each other while rising substantially vertically from both ends of the inner surface 23a. The accommodation space S1 is a space consisting of a three-dimensional shape with an upper portion open in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is not closed.

Further, the body portion 20 forms outer surfaces 21b and 22b that are outer surfaces of the two wall portions 21 and 22, as facing surfaces that face the two side surface portions 102 and 103 of the box 100 to come into contact with or come close to the two side surface portions 102 and 103 of the box 100. In addition, the body portion 20 forms a lower surface 23b of the bottom portion 23 as a facing surface that faces the bottom surface portion 101 of the box 100 to come into contact with the bottom surface portion 101 of the box 100.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and the like, the body portion 30 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 has an integral structure in which the prismatic columnar bottom portion 33 is continuous at each lower portion of the prismatic columnar wall portions 31 and 32, and has a structure in which the entire side surface looks like a recess shape.

In addition, the body portion 30 forms the accommodation space S2 with an inner surface 33a of the bottom portion 33 as a bottom surface, the accommodation space S2 being surrounded by the inner surface 33a, and inner surfaces 31a and 32a inside the two wall portions 31 and 32 facing each other while rising substantially vertically from both ends of the inner surface 33a. The accommodation space S2 is a space consisting of a three-dimensional shape with an upper portion open in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is not closed.

Further, the body portion 30 forms outer surfaces 31b and 32b that are outer surfaces of the two wall portions 31 and 32, as facing surfaces that face the two side surface portions 102 and 103 of the box 100 to come into contact with or come close to the two side surface portions 102 and 103 of the box 100. In addition, the body portion 30 forms an outer surface 33b of the bottom portion 33 as a facing surface that faces the bottom surface portion 101 of the box 100 to come into contact with the bottom surface portion 101 of the box 100.

As described above, the body portion 30 has a substantially identical structure to the body portion 20.

Opening and Closing Portion

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIGS. 5A and 5B, the opening and closing portion 25 of the buffer material 2A is a portion formed to movable between an open state (see FIG. 5A) where the accommodation space S1 is open and a closed state (see FIG. 5B) where the accommodation space S1 is closed.

The opening and closing portion 25 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed in a prismatic columnar or plate-like shape, and is provided at an upper end of the wall portion 21. In addition, the opening and closing portion 25 is an integral structural portion extended from the wall portion 21 and is continuous with the wall portion 21 via a bent portion 25e.

The opening and closing portion 25 is formed in a shape and dimensions such that the opening and closing portion 25 is accommodated inside the box 100 as a whole in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is in the closed state.

The bent portion 25e is a portion formed on a root side of the opening and closing portion 25, and is a portion that consists of a thickness smaller than thicknesses of other portions of the opening and closing portion 25 and can be elastically deformed. Specifically, the bent portion 25e is formed as a plate-like portion in which a side surface that protrudes to a bending side consists of an arc shape.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A and the like, the bent portion 25e is elastically deformed with the bent portion 25e as a fulcrum to enable the opening and closing portion 25 to enable the movement in an opening direction indicated by an arrow D1 and a closing direction indicated by an arrow D2. Therefore, the bent portion 25e enables the opening and closing portion 25 to move between the closed state and the open state.

In a case where the buffer material 2A is made of a foam material as described below, the bent portion 25e according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed by, for example, cutting.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 25 has a shape in which an inner surface 25a that is an inner surface in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is in the closed state has a portion that comes into contact with at least a part of an upper surface portion of a portion of the accommodation target object 90 to be accommodated inside the accommodation space S1. The inner surface 25a according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed as a substantially flat surface close to the upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 25 forms an outer surface 25b that is an outer surface in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is in the closed state, as a facing surface that faces the lid surface portions 112 and 113 of the box 100 to come into contact with the lid surface portions 112 and 113 of the box 100.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIGS. 6A and 6B, the opening and closing portion 35 of the buffer material 3A is a portion formed to movable between an open state (see FIG. 6A) where the accommodation space S2 is open and a closed state (see FIG. 6B) where the accommodation space S2 is closed.

The opening and closing portion 35 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed in a prismatic columnar or plate-like shape, and is provided at an upper end of the wall portion 31. In addition, the opening and closing portion 35 is an integral structural portion extended from the wall portion 31 and is continuous with the wall portion 31 via a bent portion 35e.

The opening and closing portion 35 is formed in a shape and dimensions such that the opening and closing portion 35 is accommodated inside the box 100 as a whole in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is in the closed state.

The bent portion 35e is a portion corresponding to the root of the opening and closing portion 35, and is a portion that consists of a thickness smaller than thicknesses of other portions of the opening and closing portion 35 and can be elastically deformed. Specifically, the bent portion 35e is formed as a plate-like portion in which a side surface that protrudes to a bending side consists of an arc shape.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A and the like, the bent portion 35e is elastically deformed with the bent portion 35e as a fulcrum to enable the opening and closing portion 35 to enable the movement in the opening direction indicated by the arrow D1 and the closing direction indicated by the arrow D2. Therefore, the bent portion 35e enables the opening and closing portion 35 to move between the closed state and the open state.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 35 has a shape in which an inner surface 35a that is an inner surface in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is in the closed state has a portion that comes into contact with at least a part of the upper surface portion of the portion of the accommodation target object 90 to be accommodated inside the accommodation space S2. The inner surface 35a according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed as a substantially flat surface close to the upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90.

Further, the opening and closing portion 35 forms an outer surface 35b that is an outer surface in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is in the closed state, as a facing surface that faces the lid surface portions 112 and 113 of the box 100 to come into contact with the lid surface portions 112 and 113 of the box 100.

Opening Restriction Portion

As shown in FIG. 1 or 5A, the opening restriction portion 27 of the buffer material 2A is a portion that restricts (or stops) the opening and closing portion 25 in the open state from moving to the closed state of the opening and closing portion 25.

As shown in FIG. 1 or 6A, the opening restriction portion 37 of the buffer material 3A is a portion that restricts (or stops) the opening and closing portion 35 in the open state from moving to the closed state of the opening and closing portion 35.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the opening restriction portion 27 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is provided at a portion of the body portion 20 and the opening and closing portion 25 outside the bent portion 25e.

In addition, the opening restriction portion 27 is formed as a protrusion portion 27A and a recess portion 27B that are attachably and detachably fitted with each other by the movement of a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is in the open state.

The protrusion portion 27A of the opening restriction portion 27 is formed, at a portion that can face a lower end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 or the upper end of the wall portion 21, in a shape in which the protrusion portion 27A protrudes toward the upper end of the wall portion 21 and a distal end side is inflated.

In addition, the protrusion portion 27A is formed with, at a portion of a protruding root portion on the opposite side to the bent portion 25e, an abutting portion 27At that abuts against a part of the upper end of the wall portion 21 (reception portion 27Bt described below) in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 27 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

On the other hand, the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 is formed, at a portion that can face the upper end portion of the wall portion 21 or the lower end portion of the opening and closing portion 25, in a shape in which the recess portion 27B is recessed toward the inside of the wall portion 21 and a recessed back side can fit and hold the inflated shaped portion on the distal end side of the protrusion portion 27A.

In addition, the recess portion 27B is formed with, at a portion of the recess entrance portion on the opposite side to the bent portion 25e, the reception portion 27Bt that receives abutting of the abutting portion 27At of the protrusion portion 27A against the recess portion 27B (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

In a case where the buffer material 2A is made of a foam material as described below, the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 are formed by, for example, cutting. In this case, the protrusion portion 27A is formed in a state of being adjacent to the bent portion 25e.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the opening restriction portion 37 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is provided at a portion of the body portion 30 and the opening and closing portion 35 outside the bent portion 35e.

In addition, the opening restriction portion 37 is formed as a protrusion portion 37A and a recess portion 37B that are attachably and detachably fitted with each other by the movement of a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is in the open state.

The protrusion portion 37A of the opening restriction portion 37 is formed, at a portion that can face a lower end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 or the upper end of the wall portion 31, in a shape in which the protrusion portion 37A protrudes toward the upper end of the wall portion 31 and a distal end side is inflated. In addition, the protrusion portion 37A is formed with, at a portion of a protruding root portion on the opposite side to the bent portion 35e, an abutting portion 37At that abuts against a part of the upper end of the wall portion 31 (reception portion 37Bt described below) in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 37 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

On the other hand, the recess portion 37B of the opening restriction portion 37 is formed, at a portion that can face the upper end portion of the wall portion 31 or the lower end portion of the opening and closing portion 35, in a shape in which the recess portion 37B is recessed toward the inside of the wall portion 31 and a recessed back side can fit and hold the inflated shaped portion on the distal end side of the protrusion portion 37A.

In addition, the recess portion 37B is formed with, at a portion of the recess entrance portion on the opposite side to the bent portion 35e, the reception portion 37Bt that receives abutting of the abutting portion 37At of the protrusion portion 37A against the recess portion 37B (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

In a case where the buffer material 3A is made of a foam material as described below, the protrusion portion 37A and the recess portion 37B of the opening restriction portion 37 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 are formed by, for example, cutting. In this case, the protrusion portion 37A can be formed at once as a portion adjacent to the bent portion 35e by cutting.

Closing Restriction Portion

The closing restriction portion 28 of the buffer material 2A is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening and closing portion 25 in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 1 or 5A.

The closing restriction portion 38 of the buffer material 3A is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening and closing portion 35 in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 1 or 6A.

The closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed with a fitting restriction portion 28A provided at the upper end portion of the wall portion 22 of the body portion 20, and a fitting restriction portion 28B that is provided at a portion of the opening and closing portion 25 corresponding to the fitting restriction portion 28A and is attachably and detachably fitted with the fitting restriction portion 28A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting restriction portion 28A has a recessed portion consisting of a shape of being recessed inward at the upper end portion of the wall portion 22, and is formed as a portion that fits and holds the fitting restriction portion 28B in a hooked manner.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting restriction portion 28B has, inside a distal end side end portion on the opposite side to a root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 on which the bent portion 25e is present, a protruding portion consisting of a shape of protruding toward the root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25, and is formed as a portion that fits and holds the fitting restriction portion 28A in a hooked manner.

In addition, the closing restriction portion 38 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is formed with a fitting restriction portion 38A provided at the upper end portion of the wall portion 32 of the body portion 30, and a fitting restriction portion 38B that is provided at a portion of the opening and closing portion 35 corresponding to the fitting restriction portion 38A and is attachably and detachably fitted with the fitting restriction portion 38A.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fitting restriction portion 38A has a recessed portion consisting of a shape of being recessed inward at the upper end portion of the wall portion 32, and is formed as a portion that fits and holds the fitting restriction portion 38B in a hooked manner.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fitting restriction portion 38B has, inside a distal end side end portion on the opposite side to a root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 on which the bent portion 35e is present, a hook portion consisting of a shape of protruding toward the root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35, and is formed as a portion that fits and holds the fitting restriction portion 38A in a hooked manner.

Side Surface Contact Portion

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the like, the side surface contact portion 29 of the buffer material 2A is a portion that comes into contact with the inner side surface of the box 100, at a portion other than the two wall portions 21 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3, 6A, 6B, and the like, the side surface contact portion 39 of the buffer material 3A is a portion that comes into contact with the inner side surface of the box 100, at a portion other than the two wall portions 31 and 32.

The side surface contact portion 29 is formed as a three-dimensional structural portion that connects a portion outside the two wall portions 21 and 22, which is located at a position higher than the bottom portion 23, in a state of slightly protruding outward.

In addition, a rectangular recessed space connected to the accommodation space S1 formed by the body portion 20 is formed on the inner side surface of the side surface contact portion 29. The recessed space is used as an extension portion of the accommodation space S1.

Further, the outer side surface of the side surface contact portion 29 is formed with a surface portion that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 102 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 22b of the wall portion 22, a surface portion that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 103 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 21b of the wall portion 21, and a surface portion (see FIG. 3) that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 104 of the box 100.

In addition, the side surface contact portion 29 has a connection portion 29d that connects a lower portion of a central portion of the side surface contact portion 29 and a central portion of the bottom portion 23 of the body portion 20. The connection portion 29d has an identical height surface that is continuous with the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23.

The side surface contact portion 39 is formed as a three-dimensional structural portion that connects a portion outside the two wall portions 31 and 32, which is located at a position higher than the bottom portion 33, in a state of slightly protruding outward.

In addition, a rectangular recessed space connected to the accommodation space S2 formed by the body portion 30 is formed on the inner side surface of the side surface contact portion 39. The recessed space is used as an extension portion of the accommodation space S2.

Further, the outer side surface of the side surface contact portion 39 is formed with a surface portion that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 102 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 32b of the wall portion 32, a surface portion that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 103 of the box 100 together with the outer surface 31b of the wall portion 31, and a surface portion (see FIG. 3) that comes into contact with or comes close to the side surface portion 105 of the box 100.

In addition, the side surface contact portion 39 has a connection portion 39d that connects a lower portion of a central portion of the side surface contact portion 39 and a central portion of the bottom portion 33 of the body portion 30. The connection portion 39d has an identical height surface is continuous with the inner surface 33a of the bottom portion 33.

Another Configuration of Opening and Closing Portion

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5A, and the like, the opening and closing portion 25 of the buffer material 2A is formed such that a part 25n of the opening and closing portion 25 is in a state of protruding outward form an opening 120 of the box 100 in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 27 in a state where the body portion 20 is taken into the box 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6A, and the like the opening and closing portion 35 of the buffer material 3A is also formed such that a part 35n of the opening and closing portion 35 is in a state of protruding outward form the opening 120 of the box 100 in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 37 in a state where the body portion 30 is taken into the box 100.

The opening 120 of the box 100 is a rectangular opening formed by being surrounded by the upper ends (sides) of the four side surface portions 102, 103, 104, and 105 in a case where the lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are opened.

Another Configuration of Opening Restriction Portion

As shown in FIG. 5A, the opening restriction portion 27 of the buffer material 2A restricts the opening and closing portion 25 in the open state at an angle α1 at which the opening and closing portion 25 in the open state is present outside a region (passage region Pt1; see FIGS. 7A and 7B) passing in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S1.

The angle α1 in this case is, for example, preferably an angle that is formed with the side surface of the accommodation space S1, that is, the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21, and exceeds 180° (α1>180°). A one-dot chain line L1 in FIG. 5A is a virtual straight line extending along the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21. An upper limit of the angle α1 can be set to an angle within a range up to an angle at which the opening and closing portion 25 comes into contact with a part of the box 100 in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is put into the open state inside the box 100.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A or FIGS. 7A and 7B, the opening restriction portion 37 of the buffer material 3A restricts the opening and closing portion 35 in the open state at an angle α2 at which the opening and closing portion 35 in the open state is present outside the passage region Pt1 in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S2.

The angle α2 in this case is, for example, preferably an angle that is formed with the side surface of the accommodation space S2, that is, the inner surface 31a of the wall portion 31, and exceeds 180° (α2>180°). A one-dot chain line L2 in FIG. 6A is a virtual straight line extending along the inner surface 31a of the wall portion 31. An upper limit of the angle α2 can be set to an angle within a range up to an angle at which the opening and closing portion 35 comes into contact with a part of the box 100 in a case where the opening and closing portion 35 is put into the open state inside the box 100.

The materials of the two buffer materials 2A and 3A of the buffer material 1A described above are not particularly limited as long as the material can form a structure having a buffer property.

The buffer materials 2A and 3A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 are made of, for example, a foam material consisting of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

In a case where the buffer materials 2A and 3A are made of a foam material, for example, in a case where the protrusion portion 27A of the opening restriction portion 27 and the protrusion portion 37A of the opening restriction portion 37 are manufactured by cutting, the protrusion portion 27A of the opening restriction portion 27 and the protrusion portion 37A of the opening restriction portion 37 can be formed in single processing in a state of being adjacent to the bent portion 25e or the bent portion 35e.

Use of Buffer Material

As shown in FIG. 3, the buffer material 1A consisting of the two buffer materials 2A and 3A described above is used by accommodating the two buffer materials 2A and 3A inside the box 100 (together with the accommodation target object 90).

Specifically, the buffer material 2A is accommodated in a state where the body portion 20 is completely accommodated inside the box 100, and is accommodated in a state where the side surface contact portion 29 comes into contact with the side surface portion 104 inside the box 100.

In addition, the buffer material 3A is accommodated in a state where the body portion 30 is completely accommodated inside the box 100, and is accommodated in a state where the side surface contact portion 39 comes close to or comes into contact with the side surface portion 105 inside the box 100.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the buffer material 2A and the buffer material 3A are accommodated in a state of being spaced apart from each other inside the box 100.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in the buffer material 2A and the buffer material 3A accommodated inside the box 100, each of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 can be put into the open state, in a state where the buffer material 2A and the buffer material 3A are accommodated inside the box 100.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the opening and closing portion 25, the protrusion portion 27A of the opening restriction portion 27 located at the root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is fitted into the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 21, and the abutting portion 27At at the root portion is in a state of abutting the reception portion 27Bt located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 21.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted from moving to the closed state by the opening restriction portion 27, and the open state is held.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the opening and closing portion 35, the protrusion portion 37A of the opening restriction portion 37 located at the root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 is fitted into the recess portion 37B of the opening restriction portion 37 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 31, and the abutting portion 37At at the root portion is in a state of abutting the reception portion 37Bt located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 31.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted from moving to the closed state by the opening restriction portion 37, and the open state is held.

Further, an accommodation space SS capable of accommodating the entire accommodation target object 90 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 is formed inside the box 100 accommodating the buffer materials 2A and 3A in which the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are put into the open state.

The accommodation space SS is a space including the accommodation space S1 formed in the body portion 20, an accommodation space formed by being surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 29 and the inside of the connection portion 29d, the accommodation space S2 formed in the body portion 30, an accommodation space formed by being surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 39 and the inside of the connection portion 39d, and a space connecting the accommodation space S1 and the accommodation space S2.

Accommodation Work of Accommodation Target Object

Subsequently, in the box 100, the accommodation target object 90 is accommodated inside the accommodation space SS formed by the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, and the like. The accommodation target object 90 is accommodated to be lowered from above the box 100 toward the inside of the accommodation space SS.

In this case, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are in the open state inside the box 100. That is, the accommodation space SS is a space in a state where an upper portion of the accommodation space SS is open.

Therefore, the accommodation target object 90 can be taken into the accommodation space SS in a state where the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are taken into the box 100.

In addition, in the two buffer materials 2A and 3A accommodated inside the box 100, in a case where the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portions 27 and 37, respectively, the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are in a state of protruding outward from the opening 120 of the box 100 (see FIGS. 5A and 6A). Therefore, although the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are accommodated inside the box 100, the presence or the positions of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 can be visually checked.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1A formed with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are formed not to protrude outward from the opening 120 of the box 100, the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90 is easily performed while avoiding collisions with the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 even in a state where the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are taken into the box 100.

Further, as in FIGS. 7A and 7B in which the buffer material 3A is shown as a representative, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the buffer materials 2A and 3A in the open state are in a state of being present outside the passage region Pt1 in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S2 (including the accommodation space S1).

Therefore, in the buffer material 1A formed with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 in the open state are formed to be restricted by an angle of entering the passage region Pt1, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 in the open state are less likely to be an obstacle in a case where the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 5A or 6A, in the buffer materials 2A and 3A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, the angles α1 and α2 in a case where the opening restriction portions 27 and 37 restrict the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 in the open state are the angles that are formed by the inner surfaces 21a and 31a of the wall portions 21 and 31 forming the side surfaces of the accommodation spaces S1 and S2, and exceed 180°.

Therefore, with the buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the angles α1 and α2 for restricting the opening restriction portions 27 and 37 are the angles that are formed with the side surfaces of the accommodation spaces S1 and S2 and are 180° or less, the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90 inside the accommodation spaces S1 and S2 may be smoothly performed.

Through the accommodation work described above, the accommodation target object 90 is accommodated inside the accommodation space SS formed inside the box 100 as shown in FIG. 4A.

A part of the accommodation target object 90 in this case is in a state of being accommodated inside each of the accommodation space S1 in the buffer material 2A and the accommodation space S2 in the buffer material 3A.

Subsequently, in a stage where the accommodation target object 90 is accommodated inside the accommodation space SS, as shown in FIG. 4B, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the two buffer materials 2A and 3A accommodated inside the box 100 in the open state are put into the closed state.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B or 5B, the opening and closing portion 25 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 28B in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is fitted in a hooked manner on the fitting restriction portion 28A in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 22. In this case, the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is in a substantially flush state without protruding outward from the outer surface 22b of the wall portion 22.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 28.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B or 6B, the opening and closing portion 35 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 38B in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is fitted in a hooked manner on the fitting restriction portion 38A in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 32. In this case, the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 is in a substantially flush state without protruding outward from the outer surface 32b of the wall portion 32.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 38.

In addition, in this case, in the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as in FIGS. 7A and 7B in which the buffer material 3A is shown as a representative, the inner surfaces 25a and 35a of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are in a state of coming into contact with at least a part of the upper surface portion of the portion of the accommodation target object 90 that is accommodated inside the accommodation spaces S1 and S2.

As a result, with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 do not have a portion that comes into contact with a part of the upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90, a buffer function may be secured for the upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90 in case where the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are restricted by the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 in the closed state.

As a result, the accommodation target object 90 is protected inside the box 100 from the impact via the buffer materials 2A and 3A.

Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, the side surface contact portions 29 and 39 (including the connection portions 29d and 39d) are in a state of coming into contact with the side surface portions 104 and 105 between two corners adjacent each other inside the box 100, respectively.

Therefore, with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the side surface contact portions 29 and 39 are not provided on the body portions 20 and 30, the buffer function may also be secured for a portion of the accommodation target object 90 that does not receive the buffer function by the two wall portions 21 and 22 of the body portion 20 and the buffer function by the two wall portions 31 and 32 of the body portion 30.

As a result, the accommodation target object 90 is protected inside the box 100 from the impact applied from the side surface portions 104 and 105 via the buffer materials 2A and 3A.

Finally, in the box 100, after the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the two buffer materials 2A and 3A accommodated inside the box are put into the closed state, the lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are put into the closed state.

As described above, the accommodation target object 90 is in a state of being completely accommodated inside the box 100 by using the two buffer materials 2A and 3A forming the buffer material 1A.

Taking-Out Work of Accommodation Target Object

Next, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 accommodated inside the box 100 is performed as follows. The taking-out work need only be performed by proceeding with the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90 in the reverse order.

First, in the box 100, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lid surface portions 112, 113, 114, and 115 are put into the open state. Then, in the two buffer materials 2A and 3A accommodated inside the box 100, as shown in FIG. 4A, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are put into the open state.

As a result, the upper portion of the accommodation space SS inside the box 100 is in the open state.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the accommodation target object 90 is lifted upward and taken out of the accommodation space SS inside the box 100.

In this case, the accommodation target object 90 can be taken out of the accommodation space SS in a state where the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are taken into the box 100. Specifically, a part of the accommodation target object 90 is taken out of the accommodation spaces S1 and S2 in the two buffer materials 2A and 3A.

Therefore, the accommodation target object 90 can be taken out of the accommodation space SS in a state where the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are taken into the box 100.

In addition, in this case, in the buffer material 1A formed with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as in a case of the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90, the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are in a state of protruding outward from the opening 120 of the box 100 (see FIGS. 5A and 6A). Therefore, although the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are accommodated inside the box 100, the presence or the positions of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 can be visually checked.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1A formed with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, as compared to a case where the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are formed not to protrude outward from the opening 120 of the box 100, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 is easily performed while avoiding collisions with the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 even in a state where the two buffer materials 2A and 3A are taken into the box 100.

Further, in this case, as in a case of the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 of the buffer materials 2A and 3A in the open state are in a state of being present outside the passage region Pt1 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S2 (including the accommodation space S1).

Therefore, with the two buffer materials 2A and 3A, in a substantially identical manner to in a case of the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90, in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is lifted upward from the accommodation space SS and taken out of the box 100, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 in the open state are less likely to be an obstacle in a case where the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90.

In addition, in the buffer materials 2A and 3A, as in a case of the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90, the angles α1 and α2 in a case where the opening restriction portions 27 and 37 restrict the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 in the open state are the angles that are formed by the inner surfaces 21a and 31a of the wall portions 21 and 31, and exceed 180°.

Therefore, with the buffer materials 2A and 3A, in a substantially identical manner to in a case of the accommodation work of the accommodation target object 90, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 out of the accommodation spaces S1 and S2 may be smoothly performed.

Finally, the buffer materials 2A and 3A after the accommodation target object 90 is taken out are taken out of the inside of the box 100.

In this case, in the buffer materials 2A and 3A, since the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are in a state of protruding outward from the opening 120 of the box 100, the part 25n and the part 35n of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 protruding outward can be gripped and easily taken out.

Incidentally, the buffer material 1A formed with the buffer materials 2A and 3A can be reused after being taken out of the inside of the box 100 and then stored.

Exemplary Embodiment 2

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a buffer material 1B according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views showing one of the buffer materials forming the buffer material 1B as a representative. FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views showing an example in which the buffer material 1B is taken into the box and used.

Similar to the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, the buffer material 1B is formed with two buffer materials 2B and 3B, and consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except that the configurations of the closing restriction portions 28 (28C and 28D) and 38 (38C and 38D) in the buffer materials 2B and 3B are changed to the configurations different from the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the closing restriction portion 28 of the buffer material 2B of the buffer material 1B, the fitting restriction portion 28C is formed as a projection portion that protrudes from the upper end portion of the wall portion 22, and the fitting restriction portion 28D is formed as a fitting recess portion with which the projection portion of the fitting restriction portion 28C is attachably and detachably fitted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIGS. 9A and 9B, in the closing restriction portion 38 of the buffer material 3B of the buffer material 1B, the fitting restriction portion 38C is formed as a projection portion that protrudes from the upper end portion of the wall portion 32, and the fitting restriction portion 38D is formed as a fitting recess portion with which the projection portion of the fitting restriction portion 38C is attachably and detachably fitted.

The fitting restriction portion 28C consisting of the projection portion is formed as a protrusion portion consisting of a shape in which the protrusion portion protrudes from the upper end portion of the wall portion 22 and the distal end portion is cylindrically inflated. The cylindrically inflated portion of the fitting restriction portion 28C has a shape in which a longitudinal direction of the cylindrically inflated portion faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D1 and D2 of opening and closing the opening and closing portion 25.

In addition, the fitting restriction portion 38C of the closing restriction portion 38 consisting of the projection portion is also formed as a protrusion portion consisting of a shape in which the protrusion portion protrudes from the upper end portion of the wall portion 32 and the distal end portion is cylindrically inflated. The cylindrically inflated portion of the fitting restriction portion 38C has a shape in which a longitudinal direction of the cylindrically inflated portion faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D1 and D2 of opening and closing the opening and closing portion 35.

The fitting restriction portion 28D consisting of the fitting recess portion is formed as a recess portion consisting of a shape of a space recessed inward from the inner surface 25a at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 and cylindrically inflated on the back side. The cylindrically inflated space of the fitting restriction portion 28D has a shape in which a longitudinal direction of the cylindrically inflated space faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D1 and D2 of opening and closing the opening and closing portion 25.

In addition, the fitting restriction portion 38D consisting of the fitting recess portion is formed as a recess portion consisting of a shape of a space recessed inward from the inner surface 35a at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 and cylindrically inflated on the back side. The cylindrically inflated space of the fitting restriction portion 38D has a shape in which a longitudinal direction of the cylindrically inflated space faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D1 and D2 of opening and closing the opening and closing portion 35.

Further, in the two buffer materials 2B and 3B in the buffer material 1B, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are restricted by the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 and are put into the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the opening and closing portion 25 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 28D in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is fitted with the fitting restriction portion 28C in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 22.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 28.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B or 10B, the opening and closing portion 35 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 38D in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 is fitted with the fitting restriction portion 38C in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 32.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 38.

As shown in FIG. 10, the buffer material 1B formed with the two buffer materials 2B and 3B described above is used by accommodating the buffer materials 2B and 3B in the box 100.

In addition, even in a case where the buffer material 1B is used, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 can be performed in a substantially identical manner to in a case where the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is used.

Further, in the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90, the actions and effects obtained from the buffer materials 2A and 3A forming the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 can be obtained in a substantially identical manner by the buffer materials 2B and 3B.

In particular, in the buffer material 1B, the fitting restriction portions 28D and 38D of the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 provided at the distal end side end portions of the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are formed as the fitting recess portions.

Therefore, with the buffer material 1B, as compared to a case where the fitting restriction portions 28D and 38D provided on the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are formed as the projection portions, the fitting restriction portions 28C and 38C consisting of the fitting recess portions in the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are less likely to be an obstacle in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation spaces S1 and S2.

Exemplary Embodiment 3

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a buffer material 1C according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIGS. 12A and 12B are side views showing one of the buffer materials forming the buffer material 1C as a representative. FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views showing an example in which the buffer material 1C is taken into the box and used.

Similar to the buffer material 1B according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, the buffer material 1C is formed with two buffer materials 2C and 3C, and consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 1B according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, except that the configurations of the closing restriction portions 28 (28C and 28D) and 38 (38C and 38D) in the buffer materials 2C and 3C are changed to the configurations different from the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 (including the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1).

As shown in FIG. 11, in the closing restriction portion 28 of the buffer material 2C of the buffer material 1C, the fitting restriction portion 28C is formed as a projection portion that protrudes from the inner surface 25a of the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25, and the fitting restriction portion 28D is formed as a fitting recess portion which is recessed in the upper end portion of the wall portion 22 and with which the projection portion of the fitting restriction portion 28C is attachably and detachably fitted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11 or FIGS. 12A and 12B, in the closing restriction portion 38 of the buffer material 3C of the buffer material 1C, the fitting restriction portion 38C is formed as a projection portion that protrudes from the inner surface 35a of the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35, and the fitting restriction portion 38D is formed as a fitting recess portion which is recessed in the upper end portion of the wall portion 32 and with which the projection portion of the fitting restriction portion 38C is attachably and detachably fitted.

In other words, the fitting restriction portion 28C and the fitting restriction portion 28D of the closing restriction portion 28 and the fitting restriction portion 38C and the fitting restriction portion 38D of the closing restriction portion 38 in the buffer material 1C are provided by replacing the fitting restriction portion 28C and the fitting restriction portion 28D of the closing restriction portion 28 and the fitting restriction portion 38C and the fitting restriction portion 38D of the closing restriction portion 38 in the buffer material 1B according to Exemplary Embodiment 2.

Further, in the two buffer materials 2C and 3C in the buffer material 1C, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are restricted by the closing restriction portions 28 and 38 and are put into the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the opening and closing portion 25 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 28C in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25 is fitted with the fitting restriction portion 28D in the closing restriction portion 28 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 22.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 28.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B or 13B, the opening and closing portion 35 is in a state where the fitting restriction portion 38C in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 35 is fitted with the fitting restriction portion 38D in the closing restriction portion 38 located at the upper end portion of the wall portion 32.

As a result, the opening and closing portion 35 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the closing restriction portion 38.

In a case where the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 are put into the closed state, the fitting restriction portions 28C and 38C may twist the opening and closing portions 25 and 35 slightly with the bent portions 25e and 35e as shown in FIG. 13B, to be fitted with the fitting restriction portions 28D and 38D from the side.

As shown in FIG. 13, the buffer material 1C formed with the two buffer materials 2C and 3C described above is used by accommodating the buffer materials 2C and 3C in the box 100.

In addition, even in a case where the buffer material 1C is used, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 can be performed in a substantially identical manner to in a case where the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is used.

Exemplary Embodiment 4

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a perspective view and a side view of a buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example in which the buffer material 1D is taken into the box and used.

The buffer material 1D consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 2A in the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except for the change in which the side surface contact portion 29 (including the connection portion 29d) is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the buffer material 1D includes a body portion 40, an opening and closing portion 45, an opening restriction portion 47, a closing restriction portion 48, and the like.

The body portion 40 is a portion having two wall portions 41 and 42 forming an accommodation space S3 for accommodating the accommodation target object 90 and a bottom portion 43 connecting the wall portions 41 and 42. The detailed configuration of the body portion 40 is identical to the configuration of the body portion 20 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

The opening and closing portion 45 is a portion formed to movable between an open state (see the left side of FIG. 14A) where the accommodation space S3 is open and a closed state (see the right side of FIG. 14B) where the accommodation space S3 is closed. The opening and closing portion 45 is continuous with the wall portion 41 via the bent portion 45e. Reference numeral 45a in FIG. 14 is an inner surface of the opening and closing portion 45. The detailed configuration of the opening and closing portion 45 is identical to the configuration of the opening and closing portion 25 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the opening restriction portion 47 is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening and closing portion 45 in the closed state. The opening restriction portion 47 is formed as a protrusion portion 47A and a recess portion 47B that are attachably and detachably fitted with each other by the movement of a case where the opening and closing portion 45 is in the open state. The detailed configuration of the opening restriction portion 47 is identical to the configuration of the opening restriction portion 27 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the closing restriction portion 48 is a portion that restricts (or holds) the opening and closing portion 45 in the closed state. The closing restriction portion 48 is formed with a fitting restriction portion 48A provided at the upper end portion of the wall portion 42 of the body portion 40, and a fitting restriction portion 48B that is provided at a portion of the opening and closing portion 45 corresponding to the fitting restriction portion 48A and is attachably and detachably fitted with the fitting restriction portion 48A. The detailed configuration of the closing restriction portion 48 is identical to the configuration of the closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

A plurality of buffer materials 1D can be used and used. In addition, the buffer material 1D can also be used in a single unit as long as the buffer material is useful.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the buffer material 1D can also be used by, for example, being accommodated inside a box 100B in combination with the buffer materials 2A and 3A, and the like according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 in which the side surface contact portions 29 and 39 are provided.

In this case, since the buffer material 1D does not have the side surface contact portion, the buffer material 1D is disposed and used at a position between the buffer materials 2A and 3A having the side surface contact portions 29 and 39. The box 100B is a box consisting of a shape (including an internal shape) long in one direction.

In such a case of use, the buffer materials 2A, 3A, and 1D can be used in combination to form an accommodation space that is long in one direction inside the box 100B, and an accommodation target object 90B that is relatively long in one direction can be accommodated.

In addition, even in a case where the buffer material 1D is used alone or in combination with the buffer materials 2A and 3A, and the like, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90B can be performed in a substantially identical manner by the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

Further, in the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90B, with the side surface contact portions 29 and 39, the actions and effects obtained from the buffer materials 2A and 3A forming the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 can be obtained in a substantially identical manner even by the buffer material 1D, except that the actions and effects.

Exemplary Embodiment 5

FIG. 16 is a side view of a buffer material 1E according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIGS. 17A and 17B are side views showing a state where the buffer material 1E is used.

The buffer material 1E consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 2A in the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except for the change in which opening and closing portions 25A and 25B having a foldable portion are adopted.

Incidentally, from the viewpoint that the side surface contact portion 29 (including the connection portion 29d) is not provided, the buffer material 1E shown in FIG. 16 consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4, except that the opening and closing portion 45 is different.

As shown in FIG. 16, the buffer material 1E is provided with a foldable portion 50 that is foldable at one location of the opening and closing portion 25. The one location of the opening and closing portion 25 is a portion of the opening and closing portion 25 other than the movable portion in the open state and the closed state, that is, the bent portion 25e.

The foldable portion 50 is formed by dividing the opening and closing portion 25 into the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B with a position at which the opening and closing portion 25 should be folded as a boundary, and connecting the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B with a bent portion 55e.

The opening and closing portion 25A is provided to be foldable at the upper end portion of the wall portion 21 of the body portion 20 via the bent portion 25e. In addition, the open state of the opening and closing portion 25A is restricted by the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 that are provided to be present outside the bent portion 25e.

On the other hand, the opening and closing portion 25B is provided to be foldable via the opening and closing portion 25A and the bent portion 55e. In addition, a distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25A is provided with the fitting restriction portion 28B in the closing restriction portion 28.

At least one of an inner surface 25Aa of the opening and closing portion 25A or an inner surface 25Ba of the opening and closing portion 25B is

The bent portion 55e is formed as a plate-like portion that consists of a thickness smaller than thicknesses of other portions and can be elastically deformed. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, since the bent portion 55e allows the opening and closing portion 25B to be foldable toward the inner surface 25Ba, the bent portion 55e is provided in a state of being biased and close to the inner surface 25Aa of the opening and closing portion 25A and the inner surface 25Ba of the opening and closing portion 25B.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, in the buffer material 1E, an opening restriction portion 57 that restricts the opening and closing portion 25A in the open state in a case where the opening and closing portion 25B is put into the open state is provided at a position outside the bent portion 55e.

The opening restriction portion 57 is formed with a protrusion portion 57A and a recess portion 57B. The protrusion portion 57A and the recess portion 57B consist of substantially identical configurations to the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except for the following points. The protrusion portion 57A is provided at the root side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25B on which the bent portion 55e is located. The recess portion 57B is provided at the distal end side end portion on which the bent portion 55e is located.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16, in the buffer material 1E, the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B can be put into the open state.

In this case, the opening and closing portion 25A is restricted to be held in the open state by fitting the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 with each other. In addition, the opening and closing portion 25B is restricted to be held in the open state by fitting the protrusion portion 57A and the recess portion 57B of the opening restriction portion 57 that are adjacent to the bent portion 55e with each other.

Therefore, the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are held in the open state where an upper portion of an accommodation space S4 formed in the body portion 20 is open in a form in which the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are continuously formed in a substantially linear shape. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B in this case are in a state of being present outside the accommodation space S4 with the virtual straight line of the one-dot chain line L1 extending substantially vertically along the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21 forming the inner surface of the accommodation space S4 as a boundary.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the buffer material 1E can be put into the closed state where the upper portion of the accommodation space S4 is closed in a state where the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are folded by the bent portion 55e.

In this case, the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are restricted to be held in the closed state by fitting the fitting restriction portion 28A and the fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 of the opening and closing portion 25B with each other in a hooked manner. In addition, the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are in a form folded to be lowered to both sides with the bent portion 55e as an apex.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1E, in a case where the opening and closing portion 25A and the opening and closing portion 25B are put into the closed state, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17A, the accommodation space S4 having a pentagonal shape as a whole and consisting of a triangular upper portion and a quadrangular lower portion is formed.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1E, even in a case where the accommodation target object 90C consists of a tapered shape at the upper portion and a substantially pentagonal shape at the side surface as shown in FIG. 17B, the accommodation target object 90C can be accommodated.

As a result, with the buffer material 1E, as compared to a case where the opening and closing portion that is not provided with the foldable portion that is foldable is adopted, even with the accommodation target object 90C consists of the polygonal upper surface portion, the buffer function may be secured for at least a part of the polygonal upper surface portion.

The buffer material 1E may be formed, for example, as an inner surface on which at least one of the inner surface 25Aa of the opening and closing portion 25A or the inner surface 25Ba of the opening and closing portion 25B comes into contact with a part of the polygonal upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90C. In this case, the buffer function may be further secured for at least a part of the polygonal upper surface portion of the accommodation target object 90C.

In addition, the buffer material 1E is used by being accommodated inside the box 100.

In particular, in a case where the buffer material 1E is not provided with the side surface contact portion 29 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, for example, as in a case of the buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 15), the buffer material 1E can be used by being accommodated inside the box 100 in combination with the buffer material 2A and the like having the side surface contact portion 29.

In addition, even in a case where the buffer material 1E is used, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90C can be performed in a substantially identical manner to in a case where the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is used.

Further, in the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90C by using the buffer material 1E, the actions and effects obtained from the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 can be obtained in a substantially identical manner by the buffer material 1E.

The buffer material 1E may be provided with the side surface contact portion 29 (including the connection portion 29d) as in a case of the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

Exemplary Embodiment 6

FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views of a buffer material 1F according to Exemplary Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

The buffer material 1F consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 2A in the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except that the body portion 20 is changed to a foldable structure.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the buffer material 1F adopts the body portion 20 consisting of a structure that is foldable such that two wall portions 21 and 22 are brought down and unfolded at a boundary with a bottom portion 23.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the body portion 20 of the buffer material 1F is provided with a recessed bent portion 24A between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23, and is provided with a recessed bent portion 24B between the bottom portion 23 and the wall portion 22.

The recessed bent portion 24A is formed in a shape of being recessed from the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23 with slopes of approximately 45° to come close to each other toward a boundary between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23.

The recessed bent portion 24B is formed in a shape of being recessed from the inner surface 22a of the wall portion 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23 with slopes of approximately 45° to come close to each other toward a boundary between the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23.

The most recessed portions of the recessed bent portions 24A and 24B are formed with recess portions 24g and 24h in which the slopes that come close to each other are not completely joined such that the two wall portions 21 and 22 and the bottom portion 23 form a substantially linear shape in a case where the folding is performed to unfold the two wall portions 21 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the buffer material 1F is used in a state where the two wall portions 21 and 22 of the body portion 20 are folded inward at substantially right angles at the recessed bent portions 24A and 24B. Therefore, the body portion 20 is formed with an accommodation space S5 surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a and 22a of the two wall portions 21 and 22 and the inner surfaces 23a of the bottom portion 23.

In addition, in a case where the buffer material 1F moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the opening direction D1, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the open state by the fitting of the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B in the opening restriction portion 27 with each other.

Further, in a case where the buffer material 1F moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the closing direction D2, as shown in FIG. 18B, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the fitting of the fitting restriction portion 28A and the fitting restriction portion 28B in the closing restriction portion 28 with each other in a hooked manner.

The buffer material 1F is accommodated and used inside the box 100.

In particular, in a case where the buffer material 1F is not provided with the side surface contact portion 29 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, for example, as in a case of the buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 15), the buffer material 1F can be used by being accommodated inside the box 100 in combination with the buffer material 2A and the like having the side surface contact portion 29.

In addition, in the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 by using the buffer material 1F, the actions and effects obtained from the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 can be obtained in a substantially identical manner by the buffer material 1F.

Further, after the buffer material 1F is taken out of the inside of the box 100, as shown in FIG. 18A, the buffer material 1F can be folded to unfold the two wall portions 21 and 22 such that the two wall portions 21 and 22 and the bottom portion 23 form a substantially linear shape.

Therefore, with the buffer material 1F, as compared to a case where the body portion 20 that is not foldable such that the two wall portions 21 and 22 are brought down and unfolded is adopted, in a case where the buffer material 1F is not used, the buffer material 1F may be stored in a state where the three-dimensional bulkiness is reduced.

Exemplary Embodiment 7

FIGS. 19A and 19B are side views of a buffer material 1G according to Exemplary Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

The buffer material 1G consists of the identical configuration to the buffer material 2A in the buffer material 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except that the body portion 20 is changed to a foldable structure, as in a case of the buffer material 1F according to Exemplary Embodiment 6.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the buffer material 1G adopts the body portion 20 consisting of a structure that is foldable such that two wall portions 21 and 22 are brought down and unfolded at a boundary with a bottom portion 23.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the body portion 20 of the buffer material 1G is provided with a cut bent portion 24C between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23, and is provided with a cut bent portion 24D between the bottom portion 23 and the wall portion 22.

The cut bent portion 24C is formed as a cut extending substantially vertically from the boundary between the wall portion 21 and the bottom portion 23 toward the inside (directions of the inner surfaces 21a and 23a), and is formed to leave a bent portion 24j.

The bent portion 24j is formed as a plate-like portion that can be elastically deformed, by providing a space at the back of the cut bent portion 24C and providing a recess including the space as the center and straddling the inner surface 21a of the wall portion 21 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23.

The cut bent portion 24D is formed as a cut extending substantially vertically from the boundary between the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 toward the inside (directions of the inner surfaces 22a and 23a), and is formed to leave a bent portion 24k.

The bent portion 24k is formed as a plate-like portion that can be elastically deformed, by providing a space at the back of the cut bent portion 24D and providing a recess including the space as the center and straddling the inner surface 22a of the wall portion 22 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom portion 23.

As shown in FIG. 19B, the buffer material 1G is used in a state where the two wall portions 21 and 22 of the body portion 20 are folded inward at substantially right angles by the cut bent portions 24C and 24D. Therefore, the body portion 20 is formed with the accommodation space S5 surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a and 22a of the two wall portions 21 and 22 and the inner surfaces 23a of the bottom portion 23.

In addition, in a case where the buffer material 1G moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the opening direction D1, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the open state by the fitting of the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B in the opening restriction portion 27 with each other.

Further, in a case where the buffer material 1G moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the closing direction D2, as shown in FIG. 19B, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the fitting of the fitting restriction portion 28A and the fitting restriction portion 28B in the closing restriction portion 28 with each other in a hooked manner.

The buffer material 1G is used by being accommodated inside the box 100.

In particular, in a case where the buffer material 1G is not provided with the side surface contact portion 29 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, for example, as in a case of the buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 15), the buffer material 1G can be used by being accommodated inside the box 100 in combination with the buffer material 2A and the like having the side surface contact portion 29.

In addition, in the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 by using the buffer material 1G, the actions and effects obtained from the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 can be obtained in a substantially identical manner by the buffer material 1G.

Further, even in the buffer material 1G, as in a case of the buffer material 1F, as compared to a case where the body portion 20 that is not foldable such that the two wall portions 21 and 22 are brought down and unfolded is adopted, in a case where the buffer material 1G is not used, the buffer material 1G may be stored in a state where the three-dimensional bulkiness is reduced.

Exemplary Embodiment 8

FIGS. 20A and 20B are side views of a buffer material 1H according to Exemplary Embodiment 8 of the present invention. FIGS. 21A and 21B are side views showing a state where an opening and closing portion on an upper portion of the buffer material 1H is in the open state and the closed state.

The buffer material 1H consists of an substantially identical configuration to the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, except for the change in which the body portion 20 that is divided coupling enabled manner is adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the body portion 20 of the buffer material 1H is divided into a first portion 6A consisting of the wall portion 21 including the opening and closing portion 25, and a second portion 6B consisting of the bottom portion 23 including the wall portion 22. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the body portion 20 is formed such that the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B, which are divided, can be coupled to each other.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the first portion 6A is formed such that the opening and closing portion 25 is continuous with the wall portion 21 via the bent portion 25e. The fitting restriction portion 28F as the closing restriction portion 28 is provided at the distal end side end portion of the opening and closing portion 25. The fitting restriction portion 28F is formed in the identical manner to the fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

In addition, similar to a case of the opening restriction portion 27 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, the first portion 6A is provided with the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 between the opening and closing portion 25 and the wall portion 21.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20A, the second portion 6B is formed such that the wall portion 22 is foldably continuous with the bottom portion 23 via the bent portion 25e. A fitting restriction portion 28G as the closing restriction portion 28 is provided at the end portion of the wall portion 22 on the opposite side to the bottom portion 23. The fitting restriction portion 28G is formed in the identical manner to the fitting restriction portion 28A of the closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

In addition, in the second portion 6B, as in a case of the first portion 6A, the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27 are provided between the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23. Therefore, in the second portion 6B, in a case where the wall portion 22 and the bottom portion 23 are unfolded to form a substantially linear shape, the state can be held by restricting the movement by the opening restriction portion 27.

In addition, since the second portion 6B is provided with the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B of the opening restriction portion 27, the bottom portion 23 can be used as a second opening and closing portion 65 as shown in FIG. 23.

Further, the first portion 6A is provided with, at the end portion on the opposite side to the opening and closing portion 25 of the wall portion 21, a fitting restriction portion 28E as a second closing restriction portion 28 coupled to (the end portion of the bottom portion 23 of) the second portion 6B. The fitting restriction portion 28E is also one coupling portion and consists of the identical configuration to the fitting restriction portion 28A of the closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

In addition, the second portion 6B is provided with, at the end portion on the opposite side to the wall portion 22 of the bottom portion 23, a fitting restriction portion 28H as the second closing restriction portion 28 coupled to (the fitting restriction portion 28E at the end portion of the wall portion 21 of) the first portion 6A. The fitting restriction portion 28H is also one coupling portion and consists of the identical configuration to the fitting restriction portion 28B of the closing restriction portion 28 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B are formed such that, in a case where the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B are coupled by the fitting restriction portion 28E and the fitting restriction portion 28H, as shown in FIG. 21A, the wall portion 21 of the first portion 6A and the bottom portion 23 of the second portion 6B are in a state of being coupled to intersect at substantially right angles.

Incidentally, the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B are apparently formed as portions having the identical configuration.

Then, as shown in FIG. 21A, the buffer material 1H couples the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B by fitting the fitting restriction portion 28E and the fitting restriction portion 28H with each other in a hooked manner. Then, the buffer material 1H is put into a state of being bent by the bent portion 25e such that the wall portion 22 of the second portion 6B is raised substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 23.

As a result, the buffer material 1H is in a state where the body portion 20 is completed and can be used. In addition, at this stage, the body portion 20 is formed with an accommodation space S6 surrounded on three sides by the inner surfaces 21a and 22a of the two wall portions 21 and 22 and the inner surfaces 23a of the bottom portion 23.

In reality, the buffer material 1H is accommodated inside the box 100 to be used, and the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B are coupled to each other, so that the state where the body portion 20 is completed is obtained.

In addition, in a case where the buffer material 1H moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the opening direction D1, as shown in FIG. 21A, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the open state by the fitting of the protrusion portion 27A and the recess portion 27B in the opening restriction portion 27 with each other.

Further, in a case where the buffer material 1H moves the opening and closing portion 25 in the closing direction D2, as shown in FIG. 21B, the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted to be held in the closed state by the fitting of the fitting restriction portion 28G and the fitting restriction portion 28F in the closing restriction portion 28 with each other in a hooked manner.

The buffer material 1H is accommodated and used inside the box 100.

In particular, in a case where the buffer material 1H is not provided with the side surface contact portion 29 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, for example, as in a case of the buffer material 1D according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 15), the buffer material 1H can be used by being accommodated inside the box 100 in combination with the buffer material 2A and the like having the side surface contact portion 29.

In the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 using the buffer material 1H, as shown in FIG. 22, the opening and closing portion 25 is put into the open state in a state where the buffer material 1H is accommodated inside the box 100.

Therefore, the accommodation space S6 in the buffer material 1H is a space in a state where an upper portion of the accommodation space S6 is open.

Therefore, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 can be performed while the buffer material 1H is taken into the box 100.

In addition, in the buffer material 1H accommodated inside the box 100, as shown in FIG. 22, in a case where the opening and closing portion 25 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 27, the part 25n of the opening and closing portion 25 is in a state of protruding outward from the opening 120 of the box 100.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1H, as compared to a case where the part 25n of the opening and closing portion 25 is formed not to protrude outward from the opening 120 of the box 100, the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 are easily performed while avoiding collisions with the opening and closing portion 25 even in a state where the buffer material 1H is taken into the box 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the opening and closing portion 25 of the buffer material 1H in the open state is in a state of being present outside the passage region Pt1 in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S6.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1H, as compared to a case where the opening and closing portion 25 in the open state is formed to be restricted by an angle of entering the passage region Pt1, the opening and closing portion 25 in the open state are less likely to be an obstacle in a case where the accommodation work and the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 are performed.

Taking-Out Work of Accommodation Target Object from Bottom Surface Side of Box

In addition, in a case where the buffer material 1H is used, as shown in FIG. 23, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 out of the bottom surface side of the box 100 can be performed.

Incidentally, there is a high possibility that the taking-out work in this case is actually performed in a state where the box 100 is laid on the side and the bottom surface portion 101 is turned to the side. In addition, as the box 100 used in this case, as shown in FIG. 23, a box in which the bottom surface portion 101 is divided into two bottom surface portions 101a and 101b that can be opened and closed can be used.

In a case where the taking-out work is performed from the bottom surface side, as shown in FIG. 23, the bottom portion 23, which is the second opening and closing portion 65 in the buffer material 1H accommodated inside the box 100, is put into the open state.

Therefore, the accommodation space S6 in the buffer material 1H is a space in a state where a lower portion of the accommodation space S6 is open.

Therefore, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 can be performed from the bottom surface side of the box 100 while the buffer material 1H is taken into the box 100.

In addition, in the buffer material 1H accommodated inside the box 100, as shown in FIG. 23, in a case where the second opening and closing portion 65 is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion 27, a part 65n of the second opening and closing portion 65 is in a state of protruding outward from the opening 120 of the box 100.

Therefore, with the buffer material 1H, as compared to a case where the part 65n of the second opening and closing portion 65 is formed not to protrude outward from the opening 120 of the box 100, the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 is easily performed while avoiding collisions with the second opening and closing portion 65 even in a state where the buffer material 1H is taken into the box 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the second opening and closing portion 65 of the buffer material 1H in the open state is in a state of being present outside the passage region Pt2 in a case where the accommodation target object 90 is taken into and out of the accommodation space S6 from the bottom surface side.

Therefore, in the buffer material 1H, as compared to a case where the second opening and closing portion 65 in the open state is formed to be restricted by an angle of entering the passage region Pt2, the second opening and closing portion 65 in the open state are less likely to be an obstacle in a case where the taking-out work of the accommodation target object 90 are performed.

In addition, in the buffer material 1H, for example, an inner surface 65a of the second opening and closing portion 65 may have a shape having a portion that comes into contact with a part of the lower surface portion of the accommodation target object 90 in a case of the accommodation.

In the buffer material 1H that adopts the inner surface 65a of the second opening and closing portion 65, as compared to a case where the second opening and closing portion 65 that does not have a portion that comes into contact with a part of the lower surface portion of the accommodation target object 90, is adopted, the buffer function may be secured for the lower surface portion of the accommodation target object 90 in a case where the second opening and closing portion 65 is in the closed state by being restricted by the fitting restriction portion 28E and the fitting restriction portion 28H of the second closing restriction portion 28.

Modification Example

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described as Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 8, and various modifications or improvements can be made without changing the gist of each invention described in the claims. Therefore, the present invention also includes, for example, the modification example described below.

As shown in FIG. 24A, the buffer material according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be a buffer material 1J according to Modification Example 1 changed such that the buffer material 2A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is provided with side surface contact portions 29A and 29B on both sides of the body portion 20 of the buffer material 2A.

The side surface contact portion 29B is provided on a side surface portion opposite to a side on which the side surface contact portion 29A of the body portion 20 is provided. In this case, the side surface contact portions 29A and 29B may be provided with connection portions 29Ad and 29Bd consisting of the identical configuration to the connection portion 29d according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 in a form being connected to the body portion 20, respectively.

The buffer material 1J of Modification Example 1 can be used alone (in a single unit) by being accommodated inside the box 100.

In this case, in the buffer material 1J, the side surface contact portion 29A is in a state of coming close to or coming into contact with one side surface portion of the facing side surface portions of the box 100, and the side surface contact portion 29B is in a state of coming close to or coming into contact with the other side surface portion of the facing side surface portions of the box 100.

In addition, in the buffer material 1J, in an accommodation space S7 formed in the body portion 20, a space surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 29A and the inside of the connection portion 29Ad and a space surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 29B and the inside of the connection portion 29Bd are provided as the accommodation spaces.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 24B, the buffer material according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be a buffer material 1K according to Modification Example 2 in which the buffer materials 2A and 3A according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 are changed to an integral structure by coupling the body portions 20 and 30 to each other via a coupling portion 76 in a connected manner.

The coupling portion 76 has a width that fits, for example, between the two wall portions 21 and 22 in the body portion 20 and between the two wall portions 31 and 32 in the body portion 30, and can be formed as a portion having a shape flush with the inner surface (upper surface) of the body portion 20 and the inner surface (upper surface) of the body portion 30.

The coupling portion 76 may be provided to be retrofitted to the body portions 20 and 30.

The buffer material 1K of Modification Example 2 can be used alone (in a single unit) by being accommodated inside the box 100.

In the buffer material 1K, in two accommodation spaces formed respectively in the body portions 20 and 30, a space surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 29 and the inside of the connection portion 29d and a space surrounded by the inside of the side surface contact portion 39 and the inside of the connection portion 39d are provided as the accommodation spaces.

The buffer materials 1A to 1H according to Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 8 can be used, for example, in a required number of combinations of necessary types according to conditions such as a size and a shape of the accommodation target object 90.

In the buffer materials 1A to 1H according to Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 8, the buffer material 1J according to Modification Example 1, and the buffer material 1K according to Modification Example 2, the opening and closing portions 25 and 35, and the like may be separate bodies from the body portions 20 and 30. In this case, the bent portions 25e and 35e, and the like may be formed with, for example, a shaft and a bearing.

Supplementary Note

(((1)))

A buffer material comprising:

- a body portion that has two wall portions forming an accommodation space for accommodating an accommodation target object to be accommodated inside a box;
- an opening and closing portion that is provided on one wall portion of the two wall portions of the body portion, and is movable between a closed state where the accommodation space is closed and an open state where the accommodation space is open; and an opening restriction portion that restricts the opening and closing portion in the open state from moving to the closed state of the opening and closing portion.
  
  (((2)))

The buffer material according to (((1))),

- wherein, in a case where the opening and closing portion is restricted in the open state by the opening restriction portion in a state where the body portion is taken into the box, a part of the opening and closing portion is in a state of protruding outward from an opening of the box.
  
  (((3)))

The buffer material according to (((1))) or (((2))),

- wherein the opening restriction portion restricts the opening and closing portion in the open state at an angle at which the opening and closing portion in the open state is present outside a passage region in a case where the accommodation target object is taken into and out of the accommodation space.
  
  (((4)))

The buffer material according to (((3))),

- wherein the angle is an angle that is formed with a side surface of the accommodation space and exceeds 180°.
  
  (((5)))

The buffer material according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))),

- wherein the opening and closing portion is an integral structural portion extended from the one wall portion of the body portion, and is continuous with the one wall portion via a bent portion consisting of a thickness smaller than thicknesses of other portions.
  
  (((6)))

The buffer material according to (((5))),

- wherein the opening restriction portion is provided at a portion of the body portion and the opening and closing portion outside the bent portion, and is formed as a protrusion portion and a recess portion that are attachably and detachably fitted with each other by movement of a case where the opening and closing portion is in the open state.
  
  (((7)))

The buffer material according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), further comprising:

- a closing restriction portion that restricts the opening and closing portion in the closed state,
- wherein the closing restriction portion is formed with one fitting restriction portion that is provided at an upper end portion of the other wall portion of the body portion, and the other fitting restriction portion that is provided at a portion of the opening and closing portion corresponding to the one fitting restriction portion and is attachably and detachably fitted with the one fitting restriction portion.
  
  (((8)))

The buffer material according to (((7))),

- wherein the one fitting restriction portion is a projection portion that protrudes from the upper end portion of the other wall portion, and the other fitting restriction portion is a fitting recess portion that is recessed in the opening and closing portion and with which the projection portion is attachably and detachably fitted.
  
  (((9)))

The buffer material according to (((7))) or

- wherein the opening and closing portion has a portion that comes into contact with a part of an upper surface portion of the accommodation target object in a case where the opening and closing portion is in the closed state due to the restriction by the closing restriction portion.
  
  (((10)))

The buffer material according to any one of (((1)) to (9)),

- wherein the opening and closing portion is provided with a foldable portion that is foldable at at least one location other than a movable portion.
  
  (((11)))

The buffer material according to (((5))),

- wherein the body portion is provided to be foldable such that the two wall portions are brought down and unfolded.
  
  (((12)))

The buffer material according to (((5))),

- wherein the body portion is divided into the one wall portion including the opening and closing portion and a portion including the other wall portion of the two wall portions in a coupling enabled manner.
  
  (((13)))

The buffer material according to (((12))),

- wherein, in the body portion, the portion including the other wall portion is formed with the other wall portion, and a second opening and closing portion that is provided on the other wall portion and is movable between the closed state where the accommodation space is closed from below and the open state where the accommodation space is open, and
- a second opening restriction portion that restricts the second opening and closing portion in the open state from moving to the closed state of the second opening and closing portion is provided.
  
  (((14)))

The buffer material according to (((13))),

- wherein the second opening restriction portion restricts the second opening and closing portion in the open state at an angle at which the second opening and closing portion in the open state is present outside a passage region in a case where the accommodation target object is taken into and out of the accommodation space.
  
  (((15)))

The buffer material according to (((12))), further comprising:

- a second closing restriction portion that restricts the second opening and closing portion in the closed state,
- wherein the second opening and closing portion has a portion that comes into contact with a part of a lower surface portion of the accommodation target object in a case where the second opening and closing portion is in the closed state due to the restriction by the second closing restriction portion.
  
  (((16)))

The buffer material according to any one of (((1))) to (((15))),

- wherein the buffer material consists of a foam material that is used by taking one or a plurality of foam materials into the box for accommodating the accommodation target object.
  
  (((17)))

The buffer material according to (((16))),

- wherein the body portion of the buffer material to be disposed close to two corners adjacent each other inside the box is provided with a side surface contact portion that comes into contact with a side surface between the two corners inside the box, at a portion other than the two wall portions.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

BUFFER MATERIAL

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)