Abstract:
Provided is a tip indicator that enables reduced manufacturing costs with a simple configuration, can be made lighter in weight, and is capable of detecting tipping over of a packaging box and the like. This tip indicator is fixed to a packaging box and is equipped with a main body that has a passage section and a moving object. The passage section has a first holding part and a second holding part. The moving object is held by the first holding part when the main body is in an initial position, and the moving object moves through the passage section and is held by the second holding part when the main body has returned to the initial position after having been turned by 90 degrees in a first direction and then by 90 degrees in a second direction, that is, a direction opposite to the first direction.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to: a tip indicator that detects a history of having ever been overturned (hereinafter an overturned state) and the like of products such as, for example, an electronic device and the like when transporting or storing the products; and a packaging box that includes the tip indicator. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Conventionally, in a case where a product such as an electronic device or the like is packaged by using a packaging box, it is a general method to dispose a cushioning material, which cushions external impact and vibration during transportation, between the product (packaged article) and the packaging box such as a cardboard case or the like. As the cushioning material, there are cushioning materials and the like used such as a folded cardboard, a recyclable pulp-molded cushioning material that uses old paper. 
         [0003]    In the meantime, in a case where the packaging box is overturned or is transported in the overturned state when transporting or storing the product packaged in the packaging box, impact is cushioned by the cushioning material, but some impact is conducted to inside. Because of this, there is a case where the packaging box is not broken and only the inside product is broken. In such a case, the breakage of the product is not confirmed until the packaging box is opened. Accordingly, it is difficult to determine whether the breakage of the product occurred during the production or occurred when delivering or storing. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a patent literature 1 discloses a cushioning material with an impact sensor that includes a supersaturated solution, a first containing material and a second containing material that contain the solution, wherein upon being subjected to external force such as impact, vibration and the like, the solution changes its state visually to allow visual confirmation of being subjected to the external force. 
       CITATION LIST 
       [0005]    Patent Literature 
         [0006]    PLT1: JP-A-2010-085132 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    However, the cushioning material with the impact sensor described in the patent literature 1 needs to dispose the solution throughout an entirety of the cushioning material. Accordingly, there is a problem that the cushioning material becomes heavy. 
         [0008]    Besides, to bring the solution to the supersaturated state, it is necessary to heat and adjust a solvent at a predetermined temperature, add a solute to the solvent and stir it, thereafter, inject the solution into a protruding portion of the first containing material and seal it by gluing the second containing material. Because of this, there are problems that the production process becomes cumbersome and the production is costly. 
         [0009]    The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide: a tip indicator that is able to reduce the production cost with a simple structure, achieve a light weight, and detect an overturned state and the like of a packaging box; and a packaging box that includes the tip indicator. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0010]    A tip indicator according to an aspect of the present invention is a tip indicator that is fixed to a side surface of a packaging box configured to package an article to be packaged, indicates an overturned state of the packaging box, includes: a main body that includes a passage portion; a moving object that is disposed movably in the passage portion; and a sight window that allows visual confirmation of the moving object; wherein the passage portion includes a first holding portion and a second holding portion that hold the moving object; in a case where the main body is located at an initial position, the moving object is held by the first holding portion; and in a case where the main body rotates 90° in a first direction, thereafter, rotates 90° in a second direction opposite to the first direction to return to the initial position , the moving object moves in the passage portion to be held by the second holding portion. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0011]    According to the present invention, in the case where the main body is located at the initial position, the moving object is held by the first holding portion, and in the case where the main body rotates 90° in the first direction, thereafter, rotates 90° in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the moving object moves in the passage portion to be held by the second holding portion. In this way, even in the case where the packaging box is overturned or is transported in the overturned state when transporting or storing the packaging box, thereafter, the packaging box is raised to be returned to the initial state, the moving object moves from the first holding portion to the second holding portion. Because of this, it is possible to determine the fact of overturning and the like of the packaging box at a glance, and in a case where the product (packaged article) in the packaging box is broken, it is possible to easily determine that the product is broken when delivering or storing. Accordingly, it is possible to clarify who is responsible for the case where the product is broken. 
         [0012]    Besides, it is possible to constitute the tip indicator with the main body that has the passage portion, the moving object that is disposed movably in the passage portion, and the sight window that allows visual confirmation of the moving object. In this way, compared with the cushioning material with the impact sensor described in the above patent literature 1, it is possible to achieve a simple structure, simplify the production process and thereby reduce the production cost. Besides, it is not necessary to dispose the solution throughout the entirety of the cushioning material. Accordingly, it is also possible to achieve a light weight. 
         [0013]    Besides, by fixing the tip indicator to the side surface of the packaging box, a transporter recognizes presence of the tip indicator. In this way, it is expectable that the transporter handles the packaging box carefully. 
         [0014]    Still other objects of the present invention and specific advantages obtained by the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    [ FIG. 1 ] is a decomposition perspective view showing an example of a packaging box to which a tip indicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention is fixed. 
           [0016]    [ FIG. 2 ] is a perspective view showing a state in which a product (article to be packaged) is packaged in the packaging box in  FIG. 1  and the tip indicator according to the first embodiment is fixed. 
           [0017]    [ FIG. 3A ] is a front view showing a structure of the tip indicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]    [ FIG. 3B ] is a development view showing a state in which a main body of the tip indicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is developed. 
           [0019]    [ FIG. 4 ] is a view for describing a production method of the tip indicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]    [ FIG. 5A ] is a view showing a state in which the tip indicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is rotated 90° from an initial state in a counterclockwise direction (first direction). 
           [0021]    [ FIG. 5B ] is a view showing a state in which the tip indicator is rotated 90° from the state shown in  FIG. 5A  in a clockwise direction (second direction). 
           [0022]    [ FIG. 50 ] is a view showing a state in which the tip indicator is rotated 90° from the state shown in  FIG. 5B  in the clockwise direction (second direction). 
           [0023]    [ FIG. 5D ] is a view showing a state in which the tip indicator is rotated 90° from the state shown in  FIG. 5C  in the counterclockwise direction (first direction). 
           [0024]    [ FIG. 6 ] is a front view showing a structure of a tip indicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]    [ FIG. 7 ] is a development view showing a state in which a main body of the tip indicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is developed. 
           [0026]    [ FIG. 8 ] is a perspective view showing a state in which the tip indicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a packaging box. 
           [0027]    [ FIG. 9 ] is a perspective view in which the tip indicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is fixed to only two side surfaces of a packaging box. 
           [0028]    [ FIG. 10 ] is a front view showing a structure of a tip indicator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]    [ FIG. 11 ] is a perspective view showing a state in which the tip indicator according to the third embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a packaging box. [ FIG. 12 ] is a front view showing a structure of a tip indicator according to a modification of the present invention except for a front surface portion. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5D , a tip indicator  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a packaging box  1  to which the tip indicator is fixed are described. 
         [0032]    The packaging box  1  is composed of a tray-equipped pallet  2 , an upper box  3  which covers a side surface and upper surface of a packaged article (product) and a bottom surface of which is opened, and a cardboard cushioning material  4  that is disposed on the tray-equipped pallet  2  and protects the packaged article from external impact. The cushioning material  4  is provided with a product placement surface  4   a  in accordance with a shape of the packaged article. 
         [0033]    The tray-equipped pallet  2  includes: a tray  5  that includes a bottom surface  5   a  on which the packaged article (not shown) is placed and a side wall  5   b  formed upright on a circumferential edge of the bottom surface  5   a;  and a pallet  6  fixed to a lower surface of the tray  5 , and the cushioning material  4  is disposed at four corners of the bottom surface  5   a  over a predetermined gap from the side wall  5   b.  A lower portion of the upper box  3  is provided with a through-hole  8   b  through a position aligned with a through-hole  8   a  of the side wall  5   b,  and by inserting a not-shown fastener with the through-holes  8   a,    8   b  aligned with each other, the tray-equipped pallet  2  and the upper box  3  are integrally connected to each other. 
         [0034]    A cut-and-raised piece (not shown) disposed on the bottom surface  5   a  is inserted in a lower surface of the cushioning material  4 , each cushioning material  4  is positioned at a predetermined position, and does not deviate in a horizontal direction. In the meantime, the cushioning material  4  may be fixed on the bottom surface  5   a  by using another method such as gluing or the like. 
         [0035]    The pallet  6  includes a plurality of pillar portions  6   a  that are formed by folding a cardboard, for example, a ceiling plate (not shown) and a bottom plate  6   b  fixed to upper and lower surfaces of each pillar portion  6   a,  wherein an arm inserting hole  9 , into which an arm of a fork lift or hand pallet (pallet transporting truck) is inserted, is formed between the pillar portions  6   a.    
         [0036]    Next, a procedure for packaging a product by using the packaging box  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is described. First, the product (not shown) is placed on the product placement surface  4   a  of the cushioning material  4  that is disposed on the bottom surface  5   a  of the tray-equipped pallet  2 . Next, when necessary, a cushioning material is placed on both an upper surface and a side surface of the product as well, thereafter, the cylindrical upper box  3  is put on. 
         [0037]    Lastly, by inserting a fastener  7  (see  FIG. 2 ) with the through-hole  8   a  of the side wall  5   b  and the through-hole  8   b  of the upper box  3  aligned with each other, the tray-equipped pallet  2  and the upper box  3  are integrally connected to each other. By using this packaging box  1 , it is not necessary to place the packaging box onto a pallet after packaging the product. Accordingly, the packaging and transporting of an especially large product and the like become easy. 
         [0038]    Next, the tip indicator  10 , fixed to the packaging box  1 , according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the tip indicator  10  is composed of a main body  11  having a passage portion  11   a,  and a moving object  12  that is disposed movably in the passage portion  11   a.    
         [0039]    The main body  11  is formed by folding, for example, a cardboard formed into predetermined shape, or a plate material formed of plastic, and has a three-layer structure. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the main body  11  includes a rear surface portion (back surface layer)  11   b , an intermediate portion (intermediate layer)  11   c  provide with the passage portion  11   a,  and a front surface portion (front surface layer)  11   d  provided with sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  that allow visual confirmation of the moving object  12 . And, as described later, by folding the main body  11  along a border (one-dot-one-bar line in  FIG. 3B ) between the rear surface portion  11   b  and the intermediate portion  11   c  and along a border (broken line in  FIG. 3B ) between the intermediate portion  11   c  and the front surface portion  11   d,  the three-layer structure is formed. In the meantime, in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 4 , the broken line shows a ridge folding line, and the one-dot-one-bar line shows a valley folding line. 
         [0040]    A both-side adhesive tape (not shown) is attached to a rear surface of the rear surface portion  11   b , and the tip indicator  10  is glued and fixed to a side surface of the packaging box  1  by the both-side adhesive tape. 
         [0041]    The passage portion  11   a  of the intermediate portion  11   c  is formed to penetrate the plate material. Besides, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the passage portion  11   a  is formed into a substantially C-shape that has a first passage portion Q 1 , a second passage portion Q 2 , and a third passage portion Q 3  that connects one end of the first passage portion Q 1  and one end of the second passage portion Q 2  to each other. In the meantime, in the specification and claims, the “C-shape” is a concept that covers a U-shape. 
         [0042]    A lower portion of the first passage portion Q 1  is provided with a first holding portion P 1  that holds the moving object  12  in a case where the main body  11  is located at an initial position. A lower portion of the second passage portion Q 2  is provided with a second holding portion P 2 . The second holding portion P 2  is a position where the moving object  12  is held when the main body  11  rotates 90° in a clockwise direction (second direction) after rotating 90° in a counterclockwise direction (first direction). The third passage portion Q 3  is provided with an intermediate position Pm where the moving object  12  is held when the main body  11  rotates 90° from the initial position in the counterclockwise direction (first direction). 
         [0043]    The first passage portion Q 1  is inclined in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) around the first holding portion P 1  with respect to the side surface of the packaging box  1 . The second passage portion Q 2  is inclined in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) around the second holding portion P 2  with respect to the side surface of the packaging box  1 . And, the first passage portion Q 1  and the second passage portion Q 2  are formed to be substantially parallel with each other. Besides, the third passage portion Q 3  is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the first passage portion Q 1  and the second passage portion Q 2 . 
         [0044]    The sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  of the front surface portion  11   d  are formed at positions corresponding to the first holding position P 1  and the second holding position P 2 , respectively. Besides, the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  are formed to penetrate the plate material and formed to be slightly smaller than a diameter of the moving object  12 . In the meantime, the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  may be provided with a transparent (allowing visual confirmation) film member and the like. In this case, the film member and the like is able to prevent the moving object  12  from passing through the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f.  Accordingly, the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the moving object  12 . 
         [0045]    Display, which notifies presence of an overturned state of the packaging box  1  in accordance with a position of the moving object  12 , is applied to the front surface portion  11   d.  Here, a letter “N” is printed above the first holding portion P 1 , so that it is possible to confirm that the packaging box  1  has not been overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) if the moving object  12  is located at the position of the first holding portion P 1 . On the other hand, a letter “Y” is printed above the second holding portion P 2 , so that it is possible to confirm that the packaging box  1  has been overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) if the moving object  12  is located at the position of the second holding portion P 2 . 
         [0046]    The moving object  12  is formed into a disc shape by using a metal or the like to easily move in the passage portion  11   a  under its weight. Besides, the moving object  12  is colored and patterned (hatching in the figure) differently from the main body  11  to be easily confirmed visually. 
         [0047]    As a method for producing the tip indicator  10 , from the state shown in  FIG. 3B , the intermediate portion  11   c  and the front side portion  11   d  are folded toward the rear surface portion  11   b  to form a valley along a border (one-dot-one-bar line in  FIG. 3B ) between the rear surface portion  11   b  and the intermediate portion  11   c . And, the moving object  12  is disposed in the passage portion  11   a,  so that a state shown in  FIG. 4  is obtained. Thereafter, the intermediate portion  11   c  and the front surface portion  11   d  are folded to form a valley along a border (one-dot-one-bar line) between them, so that the tip indicator  10  shown in  FIG. 3A  is obtained. In the meantime, the folding fixing method of the tip indicator  10  may be gluing fixing by using a both-side adhesive tape or the like or fixing by using a clip, a belt, or the like. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , in the tip indicator  10 , in the case where the main body  11  is located at the initial position, the moving object  12  is disposed at the first holding position P 1  of the passage portion  11   a.  And, if the main body  11  rotates 90° in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) from the initial position, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the moving object  12  moves to the intermediate position Pm. Thereafter, if the main body  11  rotates 90° in the clockwise direction (second direction), as shown in  FIG. 5B , the moving object  12  moves to the second holding position P 2 . In this way, in the case where the packaging box  1  is overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) due to some cause when transporting the packaging box  1 , even if the packaging box  1  is returned to the original state (position), the moving object  12  moves from the first holding portion P 1  to the second holding portion P 2 . Accordingly, it is possible to confirm later that the packaging box  1  was overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction). 
         [0049]    Besides, even if the main body  11  rotates 90° in the clockwise direction (second direction) from the state (state in which the main body  11  is returned to the original position after the main body  11  rotates in the counterclockwise direction (first direction)) shown in  FIG. 5B , as shown in  FIG. 5C , the moving object  12  does not move from the second holding portion P 2 . Thereafter, even if the main body  11  rotates 90° in the counterclockwise direction (first direction), as shown in  FIG. 5D , the moving object  12  does not move from the second holding portion P 2 . In this way, even if the packaging box  1  is returned to the original state after the packaging box  1  is overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction); thereafter, to cover up the overturning of the packaging box  1  in the counterclockwise direction (first direction), even if the packaging box  1  is returned to the original state after the packaging box  1  is made to overturn in the clockwise direction (second direction), the moving object  12  does not move from the second holding portion P 2  (does not return to the first holding portion P 1 ). Because of this, it is difficult to cover up that the packaging box  1  was overturned in the counterclockwise direction (first direction). Besides, if the tip indicator  10  is attached to an opposite side surface of the packaging box  1  as well, in the case where the packaging box  1  is overturned in the clockwise direction (second direction) further from the state shown in  FIG. 5B , the moving object  12  is disposed at the second holding portion P 2  in both tip indicators  10 . In this way, it is possible to confirm later that the packaging box  1  was overturned in both the counterclockwise direction (first direction) and the clockwise direction (second direction). 
         [0050]    In the meantime, even if the main body  11  rotates 90° from the initial position in the clockwise direction (second direction), the moving object  12  does not move from the first holding portion P 1 . Thereafter, even if the main body  11  is returned to the original state, the moving object  12  does not move from the first holding portion P 1 . 
         [0051]    In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the tip indicator  10  is attached to each of four side surfaces of the packaging box  1 . Accordingly, even if the packaging box  1  is overturned in any direction, it is possible to confirm later. 
         [0052]    In the present embodiment, as described above, the moving object  12  is held by the first holding portion P 1  in the case where the main body  11  is located at the initial position, and in the case where the main body  11  rotates 90° in the clockwise direction (second direction) to return to the initial position after the main body  11  rotates 90° in the counterclockwise direction (first direction), the moving object  12  moves in the passage portion  11   a  to be held by the second holding portion P 2 . In this way, even in the case where the packaging box  1  is overturned or is transported in the overturned state when transporting or storing the packaging box  1 , thereafter, the packaging box  1  is raised to be returned to the initial state (position), the moving object  12  moves from the first holding portion P 1  to the second holding portion P 2 . Because of this, it is possible to determine the fact of the overturning and the like of the packaging box  1  at a glance, and in the case where the product (packaged article) in the packaging box  1  is broken, it is possible to easily determine that the product is broken when delivering or storing. Accordingly, it is possible to clarify who is responsible for the case where the product is broken. 
         [0053]    Besides, it is possible to constitute the tip indicator  10  with the main body  11  that has the passage portion  11   a,  and the moving object  12  that is disposed movably in the passage portion  11   a.  In this way, compared with the cushioning material with an impact sensor described in the above patent literature 1, it is possible to achieve a simple structure, simplify the production process and thereby reduce the production cost. Besides, it is not necessary to dispose the solution throughout the entirety of the cushioning material. Accordingly, it is also possible to achieve a light weight. 
         [0054]    Besides, by fixing the tip indicator  10  to the side surface of the packaging box  1 , the transporter recognizes the presence of the tip indicator  10 . In this way, the transporter handles the packaging box  1  carefully. Accordingly, reduction in accidents during the transportation is expectable. 
         [0055]    Besides, as described above, the passage portion  11   a  is formed into the substantially U-shape that is composed of the first passage portion Q 1 , the second passage portion Q 2 , and the third passage portion Q 3  which connects the one end of the first passage portion Q 1  and the one end of the second passage portion Q 2  to each other, wherein the other end of the first passage portion Q 1  includes the first holding portion P 1 , and the other end of the second passage portion Q 2  includes the second holding portion P 2 . In this way, even in the case where the packaging box  1  is overturned or is transported in the overturned state when transporting or storing the packaging box  1 , thereafter, the packaging box  1  is raised to be returned to the initial state, it is possible to easily make the moving object  12  move from the first holding portion P 1  to the second holding portion P 2 . 
         [0056]    Besides, as described above, the first passage portion Q 1  is inclined in the counterclockwise direction (first direction) with respect to the side surface of the packaging box  1 . In this way, the main body  11  rotates 90° from the initial position in the counterclockwise direction (first direction), whereby it is possible to easily make the moving object  12  move from the first holding portion P 1 . 
         [0057]    Besides, as described above, the main body  11  includes the front surface portion  11   d  in which the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  are disposed to oppose the first holding portion P 1  and the second holding portion P 2 , the rear surface portion  11   b  that opposes the side surface of the packaging box  1 , and the intermediate portion  11   c  that is sandwiched by the front surface portion  11   d  and the rear surface portion  11   b , and provided with the passage portion  11   a . In this way, it is possible to achieve the tip indicator  10  that has a simple structure. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0058]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 , a tip indicator  10   a  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the tip indicator  10   a  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is obtained by connecting integrally the tip indicator  10  according to the first embodiment and a tip indicator obtained by reversing the tip indicator  10  in left and right positions to each other. Specifically, the tip indicator  10   a  is provided with a pair of the passage portions  11   a  and a pair of the moving objects  12 . One passage portion  11   a  is formed symmetrically with the other passage portion  11   a  in a left-right direction, and one moving object  12  is formed symmetrically with the other moving object  12  in the left-right direction. Besides, the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  are also disposed in pairs, wherein the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  on one side are formed symmetrically with the sight windows  11   e  and  11   f  on the other side. 
         [0060]    Besides, the main body  11  is formed foldably in the left-right direction along a central portion (broken line in  FIG. 6 ). The passage portions  11   a  and the moving objects  12  are disposed on both left and right sides of a folding position to be symmetrical in the left-right direction with respect to the folding position (broken line in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0061]    In the present embodiment, two tip indicators  10   a  are attached to the packaging box  1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the tip indicators  10   a  are folded along the central portion. And, one tip indicator  10   a  is attached to two adjacent side surfaces of the packaging box  1 , and the other tip indicator  10   a  is attached to the remaining two side surfaces of the packaging box  1 . As described above, the tip indicators  10  are fixed diagonally to the packaging box  1 . 
         [0062]    Besides, the main body  11  may not be formed foldably. And, for example, as shown in 
         [0063]      FIG. 9 , the two tip indicators  10   a  may be separately attached to two adjacent side surfaces. At this time, the tip indicators  10   a  may be fixed to positions near a border line between the two side surfaces. 
         [0064]    The other structures and production method of the second embodiment are the same as the above first embodiment. 
         [0065]    In the present embodiment, as described above, the main body  11  is formed foldably in the left-right direction, and the passage portions  11   a  and the moving objects  12  are respectively formed on both left and right sides of the folding position of the main body  11 . In this way, as shown in  FIG. 8 , it is possible to fix one tip indicator  10   a  to the two adjacent side surfaces of the packaging box  1 . 
         [0066]    Besides, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the tip indicator  10   a  is fixed to only two adjacent side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the packaging box  1 , wherein each of the two adjacent side surfaces may be provided with the two passage portions  11   a  symmetrical with each other in the left-right direction and the moving objects  12  disposed in each passage portion  11   a . According to such a structure, by only fixing the tip indicator  10   a  to the two side surfaces of the packaging box  1 , it is possible to detect an overturned state in the four directions of the packaging box  1 . Because of this, it is possible to facilitate the fixing work and visual confirmation of the tip indicator  10   a.    
         [0067]    The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as the above first embodiment. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0068]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , a tip indicator  10   b  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tip indicator  10   b  is obtained by connecting integrally two tip indicators according to the second embodiment to each other. Specifically, the tip indicator  10   b  is provided with four passage portions  11   a  and four moving objects  12 . 
         [0070]    Besides, the main body  11  is formed foldably in a left-right direction along a central portion (broken line in  FIG. 10 ). The passage portions  11   a  and the moving objects  12  are disposed on both left and right sides of a folding position to be symmetrical in the left-right direction with respect to the folding position (broken line in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0071]    In the present embodiment, one tip indicator  10   b  is attached to the packaging box  1 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the tip indicator  10   b  is folded along the central portion. And, the tip indicator  10   b  is attached to two adjacent side surfaces of the packaging box  1 , but is not attached to the remaining two side surfaces of the packaging box  1 . 
         [0073]    The other structures and production method of the third embodiment are the same as the above second embodiment. 
         [0074]    In the present embodiment, as described above, it is possible to detect an overturned state in the four directions of the packaging box  1  by using the one tip indicator  10   b . Because of this, it is possible to more facilitate the fixing work of the tip indicator  10   b.    
         [0075]    The other effects of the third embodiment are the same as the above second embodiment. 
         [0076]    In the meantime, it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are examples in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is not indicated by the above description of the embodiments but by the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims and the meaning equivalent to the claims are covered. 
         [0077]    For example, in the above embodiments, the structure is used, in which the side wall  5   b  of the tray  5  is formed into a flap shape foldable with respect to the bottom surface  5   a,  raised after the upper case  3  is put on, and connected to each other by using a fastener, but a structure may be used, in which a portion or all the portions of the side wall  5   b  are removed, and the tray-equipped palette  2  and the upper case  3  are connected to each other by using a cable tie or the like. Besides, in the above embodiments, the packaging box  1  is described which uses the tray-equipped palette  2  composed of the tray  5  and the palette  6 , but it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable likewise to the packaging box  1  that is not provided with the palette  6  but composed of only the upper case  3  and the tray  5 . 
         [0078]    Besides, in the above embodiments, the example is described, in which the passage portion is formed to penetrate the plate material composed of a cardboard or plastic and the disc-shaped moving object is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pipe-shaped passage portion and a moving object composed of a ball may be used. Besides, an aggregate of particles may be used as the moving object. 
         [0079]    Besides, in the above embodiments, the example is described, in which the passage portion  11   a  is formed into an angular shape (substantially C-shape). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, like a tip indicator according to a modification of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12 , the passage portion  11   a  may be formed not to be angular (substantially U-shape). 
         [0080]    Besides, also structures obtained by combining the structures of the above embodiments and modification are covered by the technical scope of the present invention.