The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-189226, filed Aug. 29, 2012. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a pulp molded cushioning material and a packing case for protection of an article (e.g., product) from a shock.
For image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, etc., a paper feeder can be provided optionally. An image forming apparatus is arranged on the top surface of the paper feeder. A positioning pin projects from the top surface of the paper feeder. The positioning pin fixes the position of the image forming apparatus relative to the paper feeder. As a result, the conveyance position where paper is supplied from the paper feeder to the image forming apparatus 100 is determined.
In order to transport or store the paper feeder, two pieces of pulp molded cushioning materials support the opposite end portions of the paper feeder. The paper feeder supported by the two pieces of pulp molded cushioning materials is accommodated in an outer casing formed of a corrugated board sheet or the like and is transported or stored.
According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a pulp molded cushioning material is accommodated in an outer casing together with an article. The pulp molded cushioning material includes a hollow fitting portion, into which an end portion of the article is fitted. The pulp molded cushioning material includes a main body, a cushioning portion, and a protrusion. The cushioning portion is integrally formed with the main body and protrudes in a first direction from a peripheral edge of the main body to form the fitting portion together with the main body. The protrusion is integrally formed with the main body and takes a first posture. The protrusion is changeable in posture from the first posture to a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in the first direction from the main body. The second posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in a second direction across the first direction.
According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a packing case includes an outer casing and a pulp molded cushioning portion. The pulp molded cushioning material is accommodated in the outer casing together with an article. The pulp molded cushioning material includes a hollow fitting portion, into which an end portion of the article is fitted. The pulp molded cushioning material includes a main body, a cushioning portion, and a protrusion. The cushioning portion is integrally formed with the main body and protrudes in a first direction from a peripheral edge of the main body to form the fitting portion together with the main body. The protrusion is integrally formed with the main body and takes a first posture. The protrusion is changeable in posture from the first posture to a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in the first direction from the main body. The second posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in a second direction across the first direction.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that like numerals denote like or corresponding elements. Duplicate description shall be omitted.
Description will be made about an image forming apparatus 100 and a paper feeder 50 with reference to
The paper feeder 50 is optional equipment additionally provided for the image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., copier). The image forming apparatus 100 is arranged on the top surface of the paper feeder 50. It is noted that although the paper feeder 50 is shown solely, a plurality of paper feeders 50 may be stacked below the image forming apparatus 100 as usage.
The paper feeder 50 includes a main body 51 in a box shape. Plural pieces of paper (not shown) are stacked and accommodated in the interior of the main body 51. A positioning pin 52 perpendicularly projects from the top surface in one end part of the main body 51. The positioning pin 52 fixes the position of the image forming apparatus 100 relative to the paper feeder 50. Specifically, when the positioning pin 52 is inserted in an engaging hole (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 is accurately positioned relative to the paper feeder 50. As a result, the conveyance position where paper is supplied from the paper feeder 50 to the image forming apparatus 100 is determined.
With reference to
The pulp molded cushioning material 1 is a member formed in an integrated manner by die molding of a pulpwood. It is noted that two pulp molded cushioning materials 1 are used in pair for one paper feeder 50. Since the two pulp molded cushioning materials 1 are the same in basic configuration, only one of the pulp molded cushioning materials 1 will be described.
Referring to
The dummy rib 1e is integrally formed with the main body portion 1A and takes a first posture (see
According to the present embodiment, the dummy rib 1e is changed in posture to change the direction in which the dummy rib 1e protrudes from the first direction to the second direction. This can result in suppression of increase in size of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 and partial enhancement of the cushioning performance of the pulp molded cushioning material 1. For example, in change in posture, the dummy rib 1e is disposed in the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 of the paper feeder 50 to enhance the cushioning performance in the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 (see
The pulp molded cushioning material 1 includes the main body portion 1A, the cushioning portions 1B-1E, and the dummy rib 1e, which are integrally formed together. The pulp molded cushioning material 1 has a side cross section substantially in a rotated W-shape (see
The cushioning portions 1B-1E are formed around the main body portion 1A. That is, the cushioning portion 1B and the cushioning portion 1C are formed at the upper and lower parts of the main body portion 1A, respectively. The cushioning portion 1D and the cushioning portion 1E are formed at the respective opposite side parts of the main body portion 1A. When viewed in cross section, each cushioning portion 1B-1E is in a rotated trapezoidal shape, which opens and expands outward (in the negative direction of the X axis) (see
Further, a plurality of recesses 1a, a plurality of recesses 1b, a plurality of recesses 1c, and a plurality of recesses 1d are formed in the cushioning portion 1B, the cushioning portion 1C, the cushioning portion 1D, and the cushioning portion 1E, respectively. Each of the recesses 1a and 1b is trapezoidal in shape when viewed in plan (viewed in the Z axis) (see
The dummy rib 1e protrudes in the first direction (inward) from a portion 5 of the main body portion 1A, at which no reinforcement by any ribs is necessary (hereinafter referred to as a “protrusion forming portion 5”), and takes the first posture (see
Referring to
The cushioning performance of each pulp molded cushioning material 1 in supporting the paper feeder 50 is enhanced in the following manner in the present embodiment. Before the pulp molded cushioning material 1 is used (before the paper feeder 50 is fitted into the pulp molded cushioning material 1), the part of the perimeter of the protrusion forming portion 5 of the main body portion 1A (i.e., the part of the perimeter of the base end of the dummy rib 1e) is cut along the cutting line a (see
Next, the protrusion forming portion 5, on which the dummy rib 1e is formed so as to protrude in the first posture, is folded along part of the perimeter of the protrusion forming portion 5, along which no cutting line a is formed. This changes the posture of the dummy rib 1e. In this case, the protrusion forming portion 5 is folded by about 90° toward the cushioning portion 1B (direction of the arrow C). It is noted that the dummy rib 1e before and after being folded is indicated by the dashed lines in
Subsequently, the dummy rib 1e protruding from the folded protrusion forming portion 5 is fitted and held in one of the recesses 1a formed in the cushioning portion 1B (see
Thereafter, the pulp molded cushioning material 1 holding the dummy rib 1e in the recess 1a is fitted into the end portion of the paper feeder 50 (see
It is noted that the dummy rib 1e has a side surface 9 and reduces in thickness as it goes from its base end to its distal end. A wall surface 7, which forms the recess 1a in the cushioning portion 1B, inclines correspondingly to the side surface 9 of the dummy rib 1e in the second posture. Accordingly, when the dummy rib 1e is changed in posture to be fitted in the recess 1a, the dummy rib 1e can stably support the cushioning portion 1B even if the cushioning portion 1B receives pressure from above. Further, when the pulp molded cushioning portion 1 is fitted in the end portion of the paper feeder 50, the base end of the dummy rib 1e in the second posture comes in contact with the upper surface of the end portion of the paper feeder 50 (see
With reference to
The characteristics in Related Art 1 will be described. One end portion of the paper feeder 50 is fitted in the pulp molded cushioning material 111. This can result in that the cushioning portion 11B of the pulp molded cushioning material 111 can protect the positioning pin 52 perpendicularly projecting from the top surface of the paper feeder 50. In this case, the cushioning portion 11B overlaps with the positioning pin 52. The distance from the base end of the positioning pin 52 to the outer casing 12 (hereinafter referred to as “cushioning distance”) is a given distance A.
Further, as one structural problem, in order for the cushioning portion 11B to protect the positioning pin 52, the cushioning portion 11B must have a long distance from its base end to its distal end. However, the cushioning portion 11B is inclined as it goes to the distal end to secure the gradient necessary for mold die pulling. Therefore, when the distal end portion of the cushioning portion 11B receives pressure from above, the cushioning portion 11B is like a cantilever to warp downward. This may lead to insufficient protection of the positioning pin 52.
The characteristics in Related Art 2 will be described. The pulp molded cushioning material 112 is formed so that the cushioning portion 11B comes in contact with the top of the positioning pin 52. Accordingly, in Related Art 2, a cushioning distance B can be secured longer than the cushioning distance A in Related Art 1. Accordingly, the cushioning performance of the pulp molded cushioning material 112 is higher than that of the pulp molded cushioning material 111. However, the cushioning distance B being longer than the cushioning distance A means the pulp molded cushioning material 112 being larger in size than the pulp molded cushioning material 111. This may increase cost and space for storage in Related Art 2.
With reference to
Further, in the pulp molded cushioning material 1 according to the present embodiment, the dummy rib 1e, which is changed in posture from the first posture to the second posture, can partially reinforce part of the cushioning portion 1B, which is in the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 (partial reinforcement). Thus, despite the fact that the cushioning distance A of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 is shorter than the cushioning distance B of the pulp molded cushioning material 112 and equal to the cushioning distance A of the pulp molded cushioning material 111, the cushioning performance of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 is higher than that of the pulp molded cushioning material 111. Thus, the pulp molded cushioning material 1 can protect the positioning pin 52 more effectively than the pulp molded cushioning material 111.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cushioning distance A of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 is set comparatively short to achieve reduction in size and cost of the pulp molded cushioning material 1. In general, a short cushioning distance may impair the cushioning performance. To the contrary, in the present embodiment, the cushioning performance is enhanced in the following manner. Part of the perimeter of the protrusion forming portion 5, in which the dummy rib 1e is formed integrally, is cut, and the protrusion forming portion 5 is folded. By folding the protrusion forming portion 5, the dummy rib 1e is moved to the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 of the paper feeder 50. This can allow the dummy rib 1e to reinforce part of the cushioning portion 1B of the pulp molded cushioning material 1, which is in the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 (partial reinforcement). Moreover, the dummy rib 1e can enhance the cushioning performance against pressure from above to the part of the cushioning portion 1B, which is in the vicinity of the positioning pin 52.
The specific example is as follows. The dummy rib 1e has a tapered shape that reduces in thickness as it goes toward its distal end. Accordingly, in the state in which the dummy rib 1e is fitted in the recess 1a of the cushioning portion 1B, even when the cushioning portion 1B receives pressure force from above, the dummy rib 1e can serve as a support to reduce downward deformation of the cushioning portion 1B. Thus, the positioning pin 52 can be protected. In other words, the cushioning performance of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 can be partially enhanced, so that the pulp molded cushioning material 1 can protect the positioning pin 52 of the paper feeder 50 from a shock.
Thus, increase in cost and size of the pulp molded cushioning material 1 can be suppressed. Further, the positioning pin 52 of the paper feeder 50 can be protected to reduce breakage and deformation of the positioning pin 52.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the protrusion forming portion 5 is folded, and the dummy rib 1e is fitted and held in the recess 1a of the cushioning portion 1B. This can securely fix the dummy rib 1e to part for which reinforcement is necessary (the vicinity of the positioning pin 52 of the paper feeder 50), thereby allowing the dummy rib 1e to exhibit its function.
It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be reduced in practice in various embodiments. Following modifications are possible, for example.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2012-189226 | Aug 2012 | JP | national |