Packing device

A packing device includes an object to be packed, a packing box, and a cushioning part arranged between the object to be packed and an inner wall of the packing box. The cushioning part is formed of first to fourth cushioning elements assembled together. The cushioning part in an assembled state can be disassembled by having the first to fourth cushioning elements move in a direction of disassembly. The second cushioning element and the third cushioning element forming the cushioning part have a multilayer structure formed of plate-like members stacked on each other. The first to fourth cushioning elements forming the cushioning part are in contact with the object to be packed or the inner wall of the packing box and thus have their movement in the direction of disassembly regulated.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-119733, filed Jul. 13, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a packing device.

2. Related Art

According to the related art, a packing device having a packing box and a cushioning part arranged between an object to be packed that is accommodated in the packing box and the packing box is known. For example, in JP-A-2010-173667, a cushioning part is formed of a plurality of block-like cushioning elements, and these cushioning elements are held between a packing box and an object to be packed.

Forming the cushioning part of a plurality of cushioning elements as in the related-art packing device enables the cushioning part to easily correspond to the shape of the object to be packed and thus satisfactorily protect the object to be packed. However, if the plurality of cushioning elements are disassembled when the packing device is transported or the like, the cushioning capability of the cushioning part drops.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a packing device including: an object to be packed; a packing box accommodating the object to be packed; and a cushioning part arranged between the object to be packed and an inner wall of the packing box and protecting the object to be packed from an external force applied to the packing box. The cushioning part includes a plurality of cushioning elements and the plurality of cushioning elements in an assembled state are configured to be disassembled by moving in a direction of disassembly. Each of the cushioning elements forming the cushioning part is in contact with the object to be packed or the inner wall of the packing box and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly regulated.

In the packing device, at least one of the cushioning elements forming the cushioning part may have a multilayer structure formed of plate-like members stacked on each other.

In the packing device, the cushioning part may be arranged at a position overlapping a boundary between a plurality of faces of the object to be packed.

In the packing device, the cushioning part may be formed of the plurality of cushioning elements assembled together without using an adhesive material.

In the packing device, at least one of the cushioning elements forming the cushioning part may have a fitting part that is fitted with another one of the cushioning elements, and the movement of the cushioning element may be regulated by the fitting part.

In the packing device, the plate-like member may contain fiber dispersed within a plane, and the cushioning element having the multilayer structure may be arranged in such a direction that the external force is inputted from a direction along a surface of the plate-like member.

In the packing device, the cushioning elements may include a first cushioning element and a second cushioning element fitted with each other and assembled together and having the direction of disassembly in a first direction, and a third cushioning element fitted with the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element. The direction of disassembly of the third cushioning element from the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element may be orthogonal to the first direction.

In the packing device, the cushioning elements may include a first cushioning element, a second cushioning element and a third cushioning element fitted with and assembled to the first cushioning element and having the direction of disassembly in a first direction, and a fourth cushioning element fitted with the second cushioning element and the third cushioning element. The direction of disassembly of the fourth cushioning element from the second cushioning element and the third cushioning element may be orthogonal to the first direction.

In the packing device, the cushioning element having the multilayer structure may be arranged standing up in such a direction that a direction along a surface of the plate-like member is oriented along the first direction. The cushioning element having the multilayer structure may have a first support part held between the object to be packed and the packing box, in the first direction, and a second support part held between the object to be packed and the packing box, in a direction along the surface of the plate-like member and orthogonal to the first direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a perspective view of a packing device1.

The packing device1has an object to be packed10, a packing box11accommodating the object to be packed10, and a cushioning part12arranged between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

The object to be packed10is an electronic apparatus. The object to be packed may be, for example, an electronic apparatus, a piece of furniture, a machine component, food, clothing or the like. However, the type of the object to be packed is not particularly limited. The electronic apparatus as the object to be packed is, for example, a printing device, a display device, a computer device, a projector or the like.

The object to be packed10is substantially hexahedral and has a bottom face10a, a top face10b, and four side faces10cconnecting the bottom face10aand the top face10b. Although the object to be packed10that is substantially hexahedral is described as an example, the object to be packed is not limited to a hexahedron.

The object to be packed10has four corner parts10don the side of the bottom face10aand four corner parts10eon the side of the top face10b. The corner parts10dand the corner parts10eare vertex parts of the hexahedral object to be packed10.

The packing box11is a hexahedral hollow box. InFIG.1, the packing box11is indicated by an imaginary line. The packing box11is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped but may be a cube.

The packing box11is formed in the shape of a box having a bottom wall part11a, a top wall part11bopposite the bottom wall part11a, and four sidewall parts11cconnecting the bottom wall part11aand the top wall part11bin an up-down direction.

In the description and drawings below, the direction of the width of the packing box11is defined as an X-axis direction, the direction of the depth of the packing box11is defined as a Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other.

The object to be packed10is smaller in size than the packing box11and is accommodated inside the packing box11. The object to be packed10is covered with the bottom wall part11a, the top wall part11b, and the four sidewall parts11cof the packing box11.

The object to be packed10may be covered with a bag such as a plastic bag and accommodated in this state in the packing box11.

The cushioning part12is arranged between the inner wall of the packing box11and the object to be packed10and protects the object to be packed10from an external force applied to the packing box11.

A plurality of the cushioning parts12are provided inside the packing box11.

More specifically, the cushioning part12is provided at the inner side of each of four vertex parts11don the bottom wall part11aside, of the eight vertex parts of the hexahedral packing box11.

The cushioning part12is also provided at the inner side of each of four vertex parts11eon the top wall part11bside, of the eight vertex parts of the packing box11. That is, the cushioning part12is arranged at eight positions inside the packing box11.

The cushioning parts12have the same structure. Therefore, in this example, the cushioning part12arranged at the inner side of one vertex part11don the bottom wall part11aside of the packing box11is described in detail.

As shown inFIG.1, the side faces10cof the object to be packed10include first side faces10c1extending in the direction of the width of the packing box11and second side faces10c2extending in the direction of the depth of the packing box11. The first side face10c1and the second side face10c2are orthogonal to each other and coupled together at the part of this orthogonal intersection.

The sidewall parts11cof the packing box11include first sidewall parts11c1extending in the direction of the width of the packing box11, and second sidewall parts11c2extending in the direction of the depth of the packing box11. The first sidewall part11c1and the second sidewall part11c2are orthogonal to each other and coupled together at the part of this orthogonal intersection.

The cushioning part12is arranged between the corner part10dof the object to be packed10and the vertex part11dof the packing box11and is held between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

More specifically, the cushioning part12is held between the bottom wall part11a, the first sidewall part11c1, and the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11, and the bottom face10a, the first side face10c1, and the second side face10c2of the object to be packed10, at the inner side of the vertex part11dof the packing box11.

The corner part10dof the object to be packed10is a part serving as a boundary between three faces, that is, the bottom face10a, the first side face10c1, and the second side face10c2, which are the plurality of faces of the object to be packed10. The cushioning part12overlaps this boundary.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the cushioning part12, as viewed from the corner part10dside of the object to be packed10.FIG.3is an exploded perspective view of the cushioning part12.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the cushioning part12is formed of a first cushioning element21, a second cushioning element22, a third cushioning element23, and a fourth cushioning element24assembled together.

Each of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24is a plate member and is made of paper. This paper is recycled paper formed in the shape of a plate by cutting used paper into small pieces, fibrillating the cut paper into a flocculated form, and compressing and binding the fibrillated fibers together. This paper contains a large number of fibers dispersed within the plane of the paper.

The cushioning part12is formed of a fitting structure in which the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24are fitted together. The cushioning part12is thus assembled without using an adhesive material.

The direction along the plate surface of the plate member forming the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24is referred to as a planar direction. The planar direction is orthogonal to the direction of the thickness of the plate member forming the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24.

The first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24are deformed by an external force and thus absorb its impact. The first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24have a higher impact absorption capability in the planar direction of the plate member than in the direction of the thickness of the plate member.

The first cushioning element21is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along a horizontal direction. That is, the first cushioning element21is laid down in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along an up-down direction. Here, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

The first cushioning element21is a plate member that is substantially rectangular as viewed in a plan view. At one of four corner parts of the first cushioning element21as viewed in a plan view, a chamfered part21aavoiding the vertex part11dof the packing box11is provided.

The first cushioning element21has a first fitting part31penetrating the first cushioning element21in the up-down direction.

The first fitting part31has a first slit part31aextending in the direction of the width of the packing box11, and a second slit part31bextending in the direction of the depth of the packing box11. The first slit part31aand the second slit part31bare orthogonal to each other. As viewed in a plan view, the first slit part31ais parallel to the first sidewall part11c1of the packing box11, and the second slit part31bis parallel to the second sidewall part11c2.

The first fitting part31is an L-shaped hole formed of the first slit part31aand the second slit part31bintersecting each other at an intersection part31c. The intersection part31cis located near a corner part that is diagonally opposite to the chamfered part21a, of the four corner parts of the first cushioning element21.

The second cushioning element22is located in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the up-down direction. That is, the second cushioning element22is raised upright in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the horizontal direction. The second cushioning element22is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction is oriented along the direction of the width of the packing box11, as viewed in a plan view.

More specifically, the second cushioning element22is a plate member having a multilayer structure formed of a plurality of plate-like members32stacked on each other in the direction of the thickness. The plurality of plate-like members32have the same shape. The plate-like members32are made of paper. The planar direction of the plate-like members32is the same as the planar direction of the second cushioning element22.

The second cushioning element22has a first support part33extending horizontally along the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, and a second support part34extending upward from one end part in the longitudinal direction of the first support part33, and is formed substantially in an L-shape.

The second cushioning element22has a reception part33asupporting the object to be packed10from below, between the second support part34and the other end part in the longitudinal direction of the first support part33. The reception part33ahas a horizontal top surface.

At the other end part of the first support part33, a step part33blower than the top surface of the reception part33ais provided.

The second cushioning element22is inserted in the first fitting part31of the first cushioning element21from above. The first support part33is thus fitted in the first slit part31a.

The second support part34of the second cushioning element22has, at a lower end part, a contact part34acoming into contact with the top surface of the first cushioning element21from above.

The second support part34has an outer contact surface34bextending in the up-down direction along the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11, and an inner contact surface34c, which is a surface opposite to the outer contact surface34bof the second support part34.

The outer contact surface34band the inner contact surface34care surfaces forming the thickness of the second support part34and extend vertically.

At an upper part of the second support part34, a recess part34dformed of a part of the outer contact surface34brecessed toward the inner contact surface34cis provided.

The third cushioning element23is located in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the up-down direction. That is, the third cushioning element23is raised upright in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the horizontal direction. The third cushioning element23is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction is oriented along the direction of the width of the packing box11, as viewed in a plan view.

More specifically, the third cushioning element23is a plate member having a multilayer structure formed of a plurality of plate-like members35stacked on each other in the direction of the thickness. The plurality of plate-like members35have the same shape. The plate-like members35are made of paper. The planar direction of the plate-like members35is the same as the planar direction of the third cushioning element23.

The third cushioning element23has a first support part36extending horizontally along the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, and a second support part37extending upward from one end part in the longitudinal direction of the first support part36, and is formed substantially in an L-shape.

The third cushioning element23has a reception part36asupporting the object to be packed10from below, between the second support part37and the other end part36bin the longitudinal direction of the first support part36. The reception part36ahas a horizontal top surface.

The top surface of the other end part36bof the first support part36is at a lower position than the top surface of the reception part36a. The bottom surface of the other end part36bis at a higher position than the bottom surface of the reception part36a.

The third cushioning element23is inserted in the first fitting part31of the first cushioning element21from above. The first support part36is thus fitted in the second slit part31b.

The second support part37of the third cushioning element23has, at a lower end part, a contact part37acoming into contact with the top surface of the first cushioning element21from above.

The second support part37has an outer contact surface37bextending in the up-down direction along the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1of the packing box11, and an inner contact surface37c, which is a surface opposite to the outer contact surface37bof the second support part37.

The outer contact surface37band the inner contact surface37care surfaces forming the thickness of the second support part37and extend vertically.

At an upper part of the second support part37, a recess part37dformed of a part of the outer contact surface37brecessed toward the inner contact surface37cis provided.

The recess part37dof the third cushioning element23and the recess part34dof the second cushioning element22are at the same height.

The fourth cushioning element24is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the horizontal direction. That is, the fourth cushioning element24is laid down in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the up-down direction.

The fourth cushioning element24is a plate member extending in the horizontal direction and coupling the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23together.

The fourth cushioning element24is formed in an L-shape along the first sidewall part11c1and the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11at the vertex part11d, as viewed in a plan view.

The fourth cushioning element24has an outer peripheral surface24afacing the first sidewall part11c1and the second sidewall part11c2, and an inner peripheral surface24b, which is a surface opposite to the outer peripheral surface24a. The outer peripheral surface24aand the inner peripheral surface24bare surfaces forming the thickness of the fourth cushioning element24.

At one end part of the fourth cushioning element24, a second fitting part24cto be fitted with the recess part34dof the second cushioning element22is provided. At the other end part of the fourth cushioning element24, a second fitting part24dto be fitted with the recess part37dof the third cushioning element23is provided.

The second fitting part24cand the second fitting part24dare formed of a part of the inner peripheral surface24brecessed toward the outer peripheral surface24a.

The second cushioning element22has the first support part33fitted in the first slit part31afrom above and is thus assembled to the first cushioning element21.

The third cushioning element23has the first support part36fitted in the second slit part31bfrom above and is thus assembled to the first cushioning element21.

That is, the direction of assembly of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23to the first cushioning element21is the up-down direction.

Also, a direction of disassembly D1of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23from the first cushioning element21is the up-down direction. When the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23move upward from the first cushioning element21, the fitting with the first fitting part31is cancelled and the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, and the third cushioning element23are disassembled from each other.

The fourth cushioning element24has the second fitting part24cfitted in the horizontal direction with the recess part34dof the second cushioning element22and has the second fitting part24dfitted in the horizontal direction with the recess part37dof the third cushioning element23, and is thus assembled to the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23.

That is, the direction of assembly of the fourth cushioning element24to the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23is the horizontal direction.

Also, a direction of disassembly D2of the fourth cushioning element24from the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23is the horizontal direction. When the fourth cushioning element24horizontally moves in the direction opposite to the direction of assembly of the fourth cushioning element24, the fitting with the recess part34dand the recess part37dis cancelled.

The direction of disassembly D1, which is the up-down direction, is a first direction. The direction of disassembly D2, which is the horizontal direction, is a second direction. The direction of disassembly D1and the direction of disassembly D2are orthogonal to each other. However, the direction of disassembly D1and the direction of disassembly D2are not limited to being orthogonal to each other and may intersect each other.

In the state where the cushioning part12is assembled as shown inFIG.2, the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23are orthogonal to each other, as viewed in a plan view. The direction of the thickness of the second cushioning element22and the direction of the thickness of the third cushioning element23are orthogonal to each other.

In the state where the cushioning part12is assembled, the other end part36bof the third cushioning element23is laid on top of the step part33bof the second cushioning element22from above and holds the second cushioning element22from above, at the intersection part31cof the first fitting part31.

In the state where the cushioning part12is assembled, the contact part34aof the second cushioning element22and the contact part37aof the third cushioning element23are laid on top of the first cushioning element21from above and hold the first cushioning element21from above.

The reception part33aof the second cushioning element22and the reception part36aof the third cushioning element23are at the same height.

FIG.4is a plan view showing the support state of the object to be packed10supported by the cushioning part12at the vertex parts11dof the packing box11.FIG.5is a perspective view showing the support state of the object to be packed10supported by the cushioning part12. InFIG.5, the packing box11is not illustrated. InFIG.5, the cushioning part12at the bottom left inFIG.4is described.

Referring toFIGS.1to5, the cushioning part12is arranged on top of the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, at the inner side of the vertex part11d. The corner part10dof the object to be packed10is placed on top of the cushioning part12.

More specifically, the corner part10dis supported from below by the reception part33aof the first support part33of the second cushioning element22and the reception part36aof the first support part36of the third cushioning element23.

The first support part33and the first support part36are held in the up-down direction between the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11and the bottom face10aof the object to be packed10and receive an external force in the planar direction of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23.

The second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23have a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force. The external force includes a force acting on the packing box11from outside and a load due to the weight of the object to be packed10. The external force acting on the packing box11acts on the cushioning part12mainly as a force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the outer surface of the packing box11.

The object to be packed10is supported in the horizontal direction by the second support part34of the second cushioning element22held in the horizontal direction between the corner part10dand the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11.

In the second support part34, the outer contact surface34bcomes into contact with the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2and the inner contact surface34ccomes into contact with the second side face10c2of the object to be packed10.

The second support part34receives the external force acting on the packing box11, in the planar direction of the second cushioning element22. The second cushioning element22has a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force.

The object to be packed10is also supported in the horizontal direction by the second support part37of the third cushioning element23held in the horizontal direction between the corner part10dand the first sidewall part11c1of the packing box11.

In the second support part37, the outer contact surface37bcomes into contact with the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1and the inner contact surface37ccomes into contact with the first side face10c1of the object to be packed10.

The second support part37receives the external force acting on the packing box11, in the planar direction of the third cushioning element23. The third cushioning element23has a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force.

The first cushioning element21is fitted with the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23via the first fitting part31and thus regulates the horizontal movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23. Thus, the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23are restrained from moving in the horizontal direction and becoming disassembled. In this way, the first fitting part31regulates the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23in a different direction from the direction of disassembly D1.

The first cushioning element21also holds the plurality of stacked plate-like members32via the first slit part31aand thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members32.

The first cushioning element21also holds the plurality of stacked plate-like members35via the second slit part31band thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members35.

The second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23have the first support part33and the first support part36held between the object to be packed10and the bottom wall part11aand thus have their movement in the direction of disassembly D1regulated.

The first cushioning element21is held between the contact part34aof the second cushioning element22and the contact part37aof the third cushioning element23, and the bottom wall part11a, and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D1regulated.

Therefore, the disassembly of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, and the third cushioning element23can be restrained, using the object to be packed10and the inner wall of the packing box11.

The fourth cushioning element24couples the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23together in the horizontal direction and thus regulates the horizontal movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23and restrains the disassembly of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23from each other.

The fourth cushioning element24also fits and holds the plurality of plate-like members32in the second fitting part24cand thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members32. Similarly, the fourth cushioning element24fits and holds the plurality of plate-like members35in the second fitting part24dand thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members35.

The fourth cushioning element24also regulates the separation of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23in the direction of disassembly D1.

The fourth cushioning element24has the second fitting part24cheld between the recess part34dof the second cushioning element22and the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D2regulated. The fourth cushioning element24also has the second fitting part24dheld between the recess part37dof the third cushioning element23and the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D2regulated.

Therefore, the disassembly of the fourth cushioning element24from the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23can be restrained, using the inner wall of the packing box11.

As shown inFIG.1, on the inner side of the vertex part11eon the top wall part11bside of the packing box11, the cushioning part12is arranged upside down in relation to the cushioning part12at the vertex part11d. In this case, the cushioning part12is held in the up-down direction between the top wall part11bof the packing box11and the top face10bof the object to be packed10and is also held in the horizontal direction between the sidewall part11cof the packing box11and the side face10cof the object to be packed10.

As described above, the packing device1according to the first embodiment has the object to be packed10, the packing box11accommodating the object to be packed10, and the cushioning part12arranged between the object to be packed10and the inner wall of the packing box11and protecting the object to be packed10from an external force applied to the packing box11. The cushioning part12is formed of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24assembled together. The cushioning part12in the assembled state can be disassembled by the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24moving in the direction of disassembly D1, D2. The second cushioning element22forming the cushioning part12has a multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members32stacked on each other. The third cushioning element23forming the cushioning part12has a multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members35stacked on each other.

The first cushioning element21is in contact with the inner wall of the packing box11and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D1regulated.

The second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23are in contact with the inner wall of the packing box11and the object to be packed10and thus have their movement in the direction of disassembly D1regulated.

The fourth cushioning element24is in contact with the inner wall of the packing box11and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D2regulated.

Therefore, the cushioning part12formed of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24assembled together is in contact with the object to be packed10or the inner wall of the packing box11and has its movement in the direction of disassembly D1, D2regulated and is thus retrained from disassembling. Thus, the disassembly of the second cushioning element22having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members32stacked on each other and the disassembly of the third cushioning element23having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members35stacked on each other can be restrained. Also, the disassembly of the first cushioning element21and the fourth cushioning element24can be restrained. Therefore, the packing device1can effectively protect the object to be packed10.

The cushioning part12is arranged at the position overlapping the boundary between the bottom face10a, the first side face10c1, and the second side face10c2, which are the plurality of faces of the object to be packed10.

Therefore, the disassembly of the cushioning part12can be regulated in a plurality of directions and can be effectively restrained. Also, the cushioning part12can protect the object to be packed10over a broad range.

The cushioning part12is formed of the plurality of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24assembled together without using an adhesive material.

Therefore, no adhering process is needed and the cushioning part12is manufactured easily. Also, for example, to dispose of the cushioning part12, the cushioning part12can be disassembled by moving the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24in the direction of disassembly D1, D2. Thus, the cushioning part12can be easily disposed of.

The first cushioning element21forming the cushioning part12has the first fitting part31fitted with the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23, which are other cushioning elements. The first fitting part31regulates the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23.

The fourth cushioning element24forming the cushioning part12has the second fitting part24cand the second fitting part24dfitted with the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23, which are other cushioning elements. The second fitting part24cand the second fitting part24dregulate the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23.

Therefore, the first fitting part31, the second fitting part24c, and the second fitting part24dregulate the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23and can effectively restrain the disassembly of the cushioning part12.

The plate-like members32contain fibers dispersed within the plane. The second cushioning element22having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members32is arranged in such a direction that an external force is inputted from the planar direction of the plate-like members32. Therefore, the second cushioning element22having the multilayer structure can receive the external force in the planar direction of the plate-like members32and thus can efficiently absorb the external force.

The plate-like members35contain fibers dispersed within the plane. The third cushioning element23having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members35is arranged in such a direction that an external force is inputted from the planar direction of the plate-like members35.

Therefore, the third cushioning element23having the multilayer structure can receive the external force in the planar direction of the plate-like members35and thus can efficiently absorb the external force.

The cushioning members include the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23fitted with and assembled to the first cushioning element21and having the direction of disassembly D1, which is the first direction, and the fourth cushioning element24fitted with the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23. The direction of disassembly D2of the fourth cushioning element24from the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23is orthogonal to the first direction.

This configuration enables the fourth cushioning element24to regulate the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23in the first direction. Also, the first cushioning element21can regulate the movement of the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23. Therefore, the disassembly of the cushioning part12can be restrained.

The second cushioning element22having the multilayer structure is arranged upright in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate-like members32is oriented along the first direction. The second cushioning element22has the first support part33held in the first direction between the object to be packed10and the packing box11, and the second support part34held in a direction along the planar direction of the plate-like members32and orthogonal to the first direction between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

The third cushioning element23having the multilayer structure is arranged upright in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate-like members35is oriented along the first direction. The third cushioning element23has the first support part36held in the first direction between the object to be packed10and the packing box11, and the second support part37held in a direction along the planar direction of the plate-like members35and orthogonal to the first direction between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

Therefore, the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23, which have the multilayer structure, are held between the object to be packed10and the packing box11in the first direction and the direction orthogonal to the first direction and receive an external force in the planar direction of the plate-like members32and35. Thus, the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23, which have the multilayer structure, can effectively absorb the external force.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the second embodiment, parts that are configured similarly to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs and are not described further in detail.

In the first embodiment, the cushioning part12formed of the first cushioning element21, the second cushioning element22, the third cushioning element23, and the fourth cushioning element24assembled together is described. In the second embodiment, a cushioning part212formed of a first cushioning element221, a second cushioning element222, and a third cushioning element223assembled together will be described.

FIG.6is a perspective view of a packing device201according to the second embodiment.

The packing device201has the object to be packed10, the packing box11, and the cushioning part212arranged between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

The cushioning part212is provided at the inner side of each of the four vertex parts11don the bottom wall part11aside.

The cushioning part212is also provided at the inner side of each of the four vertex parts11eon the top wall part11bside.

The cushioning parts212have the same structure. Therefore, in this example, the cushioning part212arranged at the inner side of one vertex part11don the bottom wall part11aside of the packing box11is described in detail.

The cushioning part212is arranged between the corner part10dof the object to be packed10and the vertex part11dof the packing box11and is held between the object to be packed10and the packing box11.

More specifically, the cushioning part212is held between the bottom wall part11a, the first sidewall part11c1, and the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11, and the bottom face10a, the first side face10c1, and the second side face10c2of the object to be packed10, at the inner side of the vertex part11dof the packing box11.

The corner part10dof the object to be packed10is a part serving as a boundary between the bottom face10a, the first side face10c1, and the second side face10c2, which are the plurality of faces of the object to be packed10. The cushioning part212overlaps this boundary.

FIG.7is a perspective view of the cushioning part212, as viewed from the corner part10dside of the object to be packed10.FIG.8is an exploded perspective view of the cushioning part212.

Referring toFIGS.6to8, the cushioning part212is formed of the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223assembled together.

Each of the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223is a plate member and is made of the same paper as in the first embodiment.

The cushioning part212is formed of a fitting structure in which the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223, are fitted together. The cushioning part212is thus assembled without using an adhesive material.

The direction along the plate surface of the plate member forming the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223is referred to as a planar direction. The planar direction is orthogonal to the direction of the thickness of the plate member forming the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223.

The first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223are deformed by an external force and thus absorb its impact. The first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223have a higher impact absorption capability in the planar direction of the plate member than in the direction of the thickness of the plate member.

The first cushioning element221is located in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the up-down direction. That is, the first cushioning element221is raised upright in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the horizontal direction. The first cushioning element221is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction is oriented along the direction of the width of the packing box11, as viewed in a plan view.

More specifically, the first cushioning element221is a plate member having a multilayer structure formed of a plurality of plate-like members232stacked on each other in the direction of the thickness. The plurality of plate-like members232have the same shape. The plate-like members232are made of paper. The planar direction of the plate-like members232is the same as the planar direction of the first cushioning element221.

The first cushioning element221has a first support part233extending horizontally along the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, and a second support part234extending upward from one end part in the longitudinal direction of the first support part233, and is formed substantially in an L-shape.

A top surface part of the first support part233is a reception part233asupporting the object to be packed10from below.

The first cushioning element221has a first fitting part233bformed by cutting out the first support part233upward from the bottom surface of the first support part233. The first fitting part233bis a rectangular recess part opening downward as viewed in the direction of the thickness of the first cushioning element221.

The second support part234of the first cushioning element221extends upward in relation to the reception part233a.

The second support part234has an outer contact surface234bextending in the up-down direction along the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11, and an inner contact surface234c, which is a surface opposite to the outer contact surface234bof the second support part234.

The outer contact surface234band the inner contact surface234care surfaces forming the thickness of the second support part234and extend vertically.

The second support part234is provided with a recess part234dformed of a part of the outer contact surface234brecessed toward the inner contact surface234c.

The second cushioning element222is located in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the up-down direction. That is, the second cushioning element222is raised upright in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the horizontal direction. The second cushioning element222is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction is oriented along the direction of the depth of the packing box11, as viewed in a plan view.

More specifically, the second cushioning element222is a plate member having a multilayer structure formed of a plurality of plate-like members235stacked on each other in the direction of the thickness. The plurality of plate-like members235have the same shape. The plate-like members235are made of paper.

The second cushioning element222has a first support part236extending horizontally along the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, and a second support part237extending upward from one end part in the longitudinal direction of the first support part236, and is formed substantially in an L-shape.

A top surface part of the first support part236is a reception part236asupporting the object to be packed10from below.

The second cushioning element222has a second fitting part236bformed by cutting out the first support part236downward from the top surface of the first support part236. The second fitting part236bis a rectangular recess part opening upward as viewed in the direction of the thickness of the second cushioning element222.

The second support part237of the second cushioning element222extends upward in relation to the reception part236a.

The second support part237has an outer contact surface237bextending in the up-down direction along the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1of the packing box11, and an inner contact surface237c, which is a surface opposite to the outer contact surface237bof the second support part237.

The outer contact surface237band the inner contact surface237care surfaces forming the thickness of the second support part237and extend vertically.

The second support part237is provided with a recess part237dformed of a part of the outer contact surface237brecessed toward the inner contact surface237c.

The recess part237dof the second cushioning element222and the recess part234dof the first cushioning element221are at the same height.

The third cushioning element223is arranged in such a direction that the planar direction of the plate member is oriented along the horizontal direction. That is, the third cushioning element223is laid down in such a way that the direction of the thickness is oriented along the up-down direction.

The third cushioning element223is a plate member extending in the horizontal direction and coupling the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222together.

The third cushioning element223is formed in an L-shape along the first sidewall part11c1and the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11at the vertex part11d, as viewed in a plan view.

The third cushioning element223has an outer peripheral surface223afacing the first sidewall part11c1and the second sidewall part11c2, and an inner peripheral surface223b, which is a surface opposite to the outer peripheral surface223a. The outer peripheral surface223aand the inner peripheral surface223bare surfaces forming the thickness of the third cushioning element223.

One end part of the third cushioning element223is a third fitting part223cto be fitted with the recess part234dof the first cushioning element221. The other end part of the third cushioning element223is a third fitting part223dto be fitted with the recess part237dof the second cushioning element222.

As the first fitting part233bis fitted with the second fitting part236bfrom above, the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222are assembled together.

That is, the direction of assembly of the second cushioning element222to the first cushioning element221is the up-down direction.

Also, a direction of disassembly D3of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222from each other is the up-down direction. When the first cushioning element221moves upward from the second cushioning element222, the fitting between the first fitting part233band the second fitting part236bis cancelled and the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222are disassembled from each other.

The third cushioning element223has the third fitting part223cfitted in the horizontal direction with the recess part234dof the first cushioning element221and has the third fitting part223dfitted in the horizontal direction with the recess part237dof the second cushioning element222. Thus, the third cushioning element223is assembled to the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222.

That is, the direction of assembly of the third cushioning element223to the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222is the horizontal direction.

Also, a direction of disassembly D4of the third cushioning element223from the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222is the horizontal direction. When the third cushioning element223horizontally moves in the direction opposite to the direction of assembly of the third cushioning element223, the fitting with the recess part234dand the recess part237dis cancelled.

The direction of disassembly D3, which is the up-down direction, is a first direction. The direction of disassembly D4, which is the horizontal direction, is a second direction. The direction of disassembly D3and the direction of disassembly D4are orthogonal to each other. However, the direction of disassembly D3and the direction of disassembly D4are not limited to being orthogonal to each other and may intersect each other.

In the state where the cushioning part212is assembled as shown inFIG.7, the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222are orthogonal to each other, as viewed in a plan view. The direction of the thickness of the first cushioning element221and the direction of the thickness of the second cushioning element222are orthogonal to each other.

In the state where the cushioning part212is assembled, the first fitting part233bof the first cushioning element221is laid on top of the second fitting part236bof the second cushioning element222from above and holds the second cushioning element222from above. In this state, the reception part233aof the first cushioning element221and the reception part236aof the second cushioning element222are horizontal and at the same height.

Referring toFIGS.6to8, the cushioning part212is arranged on top of the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11, at the inner side of the vertex part11d. The corner part10dof object to be packed10is placed on top of the cushioning part212.

More specifically, the corner part10dis supported from below by the reception part233aof the first support part233of the first cushioning element221and the reception part236aof the first support part236of the second cushioning element222.

The first support part233and the first support part236are held in the up-down direction between the bottom wall part11aof the packing box11and the bottom face10aof the object to be packed10and receive an external force in the planar direction of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222.

The first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222have a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force.

The object to be packed10is supported in the horizontal direction by the second support part234of the first cushioning element221held in the horizontal direction between the corner part10dand the second sidewall part11c2of the packing box11.

In the second support part234, the outer contact surface234bcomes into contact with the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2and the inner contact surface234ccomes into contact with the second side face10c2of the object to be packed10.

The second support part234receives the external force acting on the packing box11, in the planar direction of the first cushioning element221. The first cushioning element221has a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force.

The object to be packed10is also supported in the horizontal direction by the second support part237of the second cushioning element222held in the horizontal direction between the corner part10dand the first sidewall part11c1of the packing box11.

In the second support part237, the outer contact surface237bcomes into contact with the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1and the inner contact surface237ccomes into contact with the first side face10c1of the object to be packed10.

The second support part237receives the external force acting on the packing box11, in the planar direction of the second cushioning element222. The second cushioning element222has a high impact absorption capability in the planar direction and therefore can effectively receive the external force.

The first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222regulate the movement of each other by having the first fitting part233band the second fitting part236bfitted with each other. Thus, the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222are restrained from moving in the horizontal direction and becoming disassembled. In this way, the first fitting part233band the second fitting part236bregulate the movement of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222in a different direction from the direction of disassembly D3.

The first cushioning element221also holds the plurality of stacked plate-like members235in the direction of the thickness in the recessed first fitting part233band thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members235.

The second cushioning element222also holds the plurality of stacked plate-like members232in the direction of the thickness in the recessed second fitting part236band thus maintains the multilayer structure of the plate-like members232.

The first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222have the first support part233and the first support part236held between the object to be packed10and the bottom wall part11aand thus have their movement in the direction of disassembly D3regulated.

Therefore, the disassembly of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222can be restrained, using the object to be packed10and the inner wall of the packing box11.

The third cushioning element223couples the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222together in the horizontal direction and thus regulates the horizontal movement of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222and restrains the disassembly of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222from each other.

The third cushioning element223also regulates the separation of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222in the direction of disassembly D3.

The third cushioning element223has the third fitting part223cheld between the recess part234dof the first cushioning element221and the inner wall of the second sidewall part11c2and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D4regulated.

The third cushioning element223also has the third fitting part223dheld between the recess part237dof the second cushioning element222and the inner wall of the first sidewall part11c1and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D4regulated.

Therefore, the disassembly of the third cushioning element223from the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222can be restrained, using the inner wall of the packing box11.

As described above, the packing device201according to the second embodiment has the object to be packed10, the packing box11accommodating the object to be packed10, and the cushioning part212arranged between the object to be packed10and the inner wall of the packing box11and protecting the object to be packed10from an external force applied to the packing box11. The cushioning part212is formed of the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223assembled together. The cushioning part212in the assembled state can be disassembled by the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223moving in the direction of disassembly D3, D4. The first cushioning element221forming the cushioning part212has a multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members232stacked on each other. The second cushioning element222forming the cushioning part212has a multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members235stacked on each other.

The first cushioning element221is in contact with the object to be packed10and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D3regulated.

The second cushioning element222is in contact with the inner wall of the packing box11and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D3regulated.

The third cushioning element223is in contact with the inner wall of the packing box11and thus has its movement in the direction of disassembly D4regulated.

Therefore, the cushioning part212formed of the first cushioning element221, the second cushioning element222, and the third cushioning element223assembled together is in contact with the object to be packed10or the inner wall of the packing box11and has its movement in the directions of disassembly D3, D4regulated and is thus retrained from disassembling. Thus, the disassembly of the first cushioning element221having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members232stacked on each other and the disassembly of the second cushioning element222having the multilayer structure formed of the plate-like members235stacked on each other can be restrained. Also, the disassembly of the third cushioning element223can be restrained. Therefore, the packing device201can effectively protect the object to be packed10.

The cushioning members include the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222fitted with and assembled to each other and having the direction of disassembly D3, which is the first direction, and the third cushioning element223fitted with the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222. The direction of disassembly D4of the third cushioning element223from the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222is orthogonal to the first direction.

This configuration enables the third cushioning element223to regulate the movement of the first cushioning element221and the second cushioning element222in the first direction. Therefore, the disassembly of the cushioning part212can be restrained.

The foregoing embodiments are preferable embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various manners without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

For example, while the second cushioning element22and the third cushioning element23have a multilayer structure in the above description, for example, the first cushioning element21and the fourth cushioning element24, too, may have a multilayer structure formed of plate-like members stacked on each other.

While the cushioning part12is arranged at the corner part10din the above description, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The cushioning part may be arranged at a boundary between two faces. For example, the cushioning part may be arranged at a ridge part where the bottom face10aand the side face10cof the object to be packed are coupled together. The ridge part is, for example, the boundary between the bottom face10aand the side face10c.