Patent Publication Number: US-2019193910-A1

Title: Cushioning apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 201721824366.6 filed in People&#39;s Republic of China on Dec. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a cushioning apparatus, and in particular, to a cushioning apparatus having a clamping structure. 
     Related Art 
     People usually use cushioning materials in packaging boxes to protect items to prevent the items from damage due to impact or compression during shipment. To obtain a relatively strong cushioning effect, a material thickness usually needs to be increased, resulting in an increase in costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a cushioning apparatus, so as to improve a cushioning effect without increasing costs. 
     According to an implementation of the present disclosure, a cushioning apparatus includes a substrate, a first folding plate, a second folding plate, an annular wall, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and has an accommodation space concave towards the second surface from the first surface. The first folding plate extends from the substrate. The second folding plate extends from the substrate and is adjacent to the first folding plate. The annular wall is disposed around the accommodation space. The first clamping portion is disposed on the first folding plate and is located on a same side as the second surface of the substrate. The second clamping portion is disposed on the second folding plate and is located on a same side as the second surface of the substrate. When the first folding plate and the second folding plate are both folded towards the second surface of the substrate, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are clamped with each other. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the substrate may have a first edge and a second edge intersecting with each other. The first edge and the second edge of the substrate may respectively extend in a first direction and a second direction. The first folding plate may be disposed at the first edge of the substrate. The second folding plate may be disposed at the second edge of the substrate. The first clamping portion may include a first sidewall and a protruding portion. The first sidewall of the first clamping portion may be connected to the first folding plate. The protruding portion of the first clamping portion may protrude from the first sidewall and protrude towards the second edge of the substrate in the first direction. The second clamping portion may have a trench concave towards the second folding plate. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, when the first folding plate and the second folding plate are respectively folded towards the second surface of the substrate, a gap may be respectively formed between the first clamping portion and the annular wall and between the second clamping portion and the annular wall. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the cushioning apparatus may further include two pressing portions. The pressing portions may be disposed on the first folding plate and the second folding plate respectively. One of the pressing portions may be located on a side, far away from the second clamping portion, of the first clamping portion. The other pressing portion may be located on a side, far away from the first clamping portion, of the second clamping portion. When the first folding plate and the second folding plate are folded respectively towards the second surface of the substrate, the pressing portions may press against the annular wall respectively. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, each pressing portion may have a top surface far away from the first folding plate and the second folding plate. The top surface of the pressing portion may be configured to press against the annular wall. A contour of the top surface of the pressing portion may be complementary to a partial outer surface of the annular wall. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the cushioning apparatus may further include a first supporting portion. The first supporting portion may be disposed on the first folding plate and located on a same side as the second surface of the substrate. The first supporting portion may be connected with the first clamping portion and a corresponding one of the two pressing portions. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the cushioning apparatus may further include a second supporting portion. The second supporting portion may be disposed on the second folding plate and located on a same side as the second surface of the substrate. The second supporting portion may be connected with the second clamping portion and the other one of the two pressing portions. 
     In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the first folding plate may be concave towards the second surface to form a first cushioning space. The second folding plate may be concave towards the second surface to form a second cushioning space. The first cushioning space and the second cushioning space may be respectively aligned with the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. 
     In conclusion, the first clamping portion on the first folding plate and the second clamping portion on the second folding plate of the present disclosure may be clamped with each other after the first folding plate and the second folding plate are folded, so that folded states of the first folding plate and the second folding plate can be kept and the structural stability of the cushioning apparatus can be improved. In this way, the first folding plate and the second folding plate may be perpendicular to the substrate to suffer impact in at least a first direction and/or a second direction, so as to ensure that the cushioning apparatus can achieve a cushioning effect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are respectively a top view and a bottom view of a cushioning apparatus in a deployed state according to an implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are respectively three-dimensional diagrams of a cushioning apparatus in a folding process according to an implementation of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 2C  is a three-dimensional diagram of the structure in  FIG. 2B  from another angle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following descriptions provide various different implementations or embodiments to implement the subject of the present disclosure. Specific examples of elements or arrangements are discussed below to simplify the present disclosure. Certainly, the plurality of descriptions is only some examples and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a description that a first feature is formed on or above a second feature includes an implementation in which the first feature and the second feature directly contact and also includes an implementation in which another feature is formed between the first feature and the second feature and the first feature and the second feature do not directly contact in this case. In addition, numerals or texts may be repeated in different examples in the present disclosure. The objective of repetition is to simplify and clarify descriptions rather than to define a relationship between the discussed different implementations and configurations. 
     In addition, the terms “under”, “below”, “lower”, “on”, “above”, and other similar terms representing spatial relativity are used herein to easily describe a relationship between an element or a feature and another element or feature in the drawings. The terms representing spatial relativity should cover orientations depicted in the drawings and further cover other orientations during the use or operation of an apparatus. That is, when the orientation of the apparatus is different from that in the accompanying drawings (rotation by 90 degrees or in another orientation), the terms representing spatial relativity used in this specification may also be correspondingly explained. 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are respectively a top view and a bottom view of a cushioning apparatus  1  in a deployed state according to an implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , in this implementation, the cushioning apparatus  1  includes a substrate  12 , a first folding plate  13   a , a second folding plate  14   a , a third folding plate  13   b , a fourth folding plate  14   b , an annular wall  15 , first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , pressing portions  18 , a first supporting portion  19  (see  FIG. 1B ), a second supporting portion  20 , and a supporting bottom plate  22 . In addition, in some implementations, a material of the cushioning apparatus  1  is a plastic material. In other implementations, the cushioning apparatus  1  has a paper plastic structure. The structures and functions of the elements and connection relationships between the elements are described below in detail. 
     In  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the substrate  12  has a rectangular plate body and has a first surface  10  and a second surface  11  opposite to each other. Further, the substrate  12  has a first edge  120   a , a second edge  122   a , a third edge  120   b , and a fourth edge  122   b . The first edge  120   a  and/or the third edge  120   b  of the substrate  12  intersects with the adjacent second edge  122   a  and fourth edge  122   b  and respectively extends in a first direction D 1 . The second edge  122   a  and the fourth edge  122   b  of the substrate  12  respectively extend in a second direction D 2 . In some implementations, the first direction D 1  intersects with the second direction D 2 . In this implementation, the first direction D 1  is perpendicular to the second direction D 2 . 
     In some implementations, the annular wall  15  and the supporting bottom plate  22  are formed through molding of a plastic material. In some implementations, the annular wall  15  and the supporting bottom plate  22  are formed by stamping the substrate  12 . Furthermore, the annular wall  15  and the supporting bottom plate  22  are concave in the substrate  12  towards the second surface  11  from the first surface  10 . In other words, the annular wall  15  protrudes from the second surface  11  from the substrate  12  (see  FIG. 1B ). An outer edge of the supporting bottom plate  22  contacts and is connected with an end, far away from the substrate  12 , of the annular wall  15 . In this implementation, the supporting bottom plate  22  has a circular plate body, but the present utility model is not limited thereto. The annular wall  15  and the supporting bottom plate  22  form an accommodation space  150  together (see  FIG. 1A ). In other words, the substrate  12  further has the accommodation space  150 . The accommodation space  150  is concave towards the second surface  11  from the first surface  10 . The annular wall  15  is disposed around the accommodation space  150 . The accommodation space  150  in this implementation is used to accommodate an item (not shown) that requires shock absorption. 
     In  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the first folding plate  13   a  and the third folding plate  13   b  respectively extend in a direction away from the substrate  12  from the first edge  120   a  and the third edge  120   b  and are configured to respectively rotate with respect to the substrate  12  towards the annular wall  15  based on the first edge  120   a  and the third edge  120   b  of the substrate  12 . Specifically, the first folding plate  13   a  and the third folding plate  13   b  are respectively disposed at the first edge  120   a  and the third edge  120   b  of the substrate  12 . The first folding plate  13   a  is adjacent to and located between the second folding plate  14   a  and the fourth folding plate  14   b . The third folding plate  13   b  is adjacent to and located between the second folding plate  14   a  and the fourth folding plate  14   b . Similarly, the second folding plate  14   a  and the fourth folding plate  14   b  respectively extend in a direction away from the substrate  12  from the second edge  122   a  and the fourth edge  122   b  and are configured to respectively rotate with respect to the substrate  12  towards the annular wall  15  based on the second edge  122   a  and the fourth edge  122   b  of the substrate  12 . In detail, the second folding plate  14   a  and the fourth folding plate  14   b  are respectively disposed at the second edge  122   a  and the fourth edge  122   b  of the substrate  12 . The second folding plate  14   a  is adjacent to and located between the first folding plate  13   a  and the third folding plate  13   b . The fourth folding plate  14   b  is adjacent to and located between the first folding plate  13   a  and the third folding plate  13   b . In this implementation, folding lines are disposed at positions of the first edge  120   a , the second edge  122   a , the third edge  120   b , and the fourth edge  122   b . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other implementations, all structural configurations are applicable to the present disclosure provided that the first folding plate  13   a  can rotate towards the annular wall  15  with respect to the substrate  12 . 
     In  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , a plurality of pressing portions  18  (where two pressing portions  18  are shown in the figures), and a plurality of first supporting portions  19  (where three first supporting portions  19  are shown in the figures) are disposed on the first folding plate  13   a . The first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , the plurality of pressing portions  18 , and the plurality of first supporting portions  19  are located on a same side of the first folding plate  13   a  as the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 . Furthermore, the first folding plate  13   a  is concave towards the second surface  11  to form a first cushioning space  164  (see  FIG. 1A ) and a first cushioning space  166  (see  FIG. 1A ), and forms the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 . The first cushioning space  164  is aligned with the first clamping portion  16   a   1 , and the first cushioning space  166  is aligned with the first clamping portion  16   a   2 . In some implementations, the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the first supporting portions  19  are formed through molding of a plastic material. In some implementations, the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the first supporting portions  19  that are located on the first folding plate  13   a  are formed by stamping the first folding plate  13   a . Similarly, the pressing portions  18  and the first supporting portions  19  are formed by concaving the first folding plate  13   a.    
     Specifically, the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the first clamping portion  16   a   2  are respectively located at two ends of the first folding plate  13   a  in the first direction D 1 . Furthermore, the first clamping portion  16   a   1  includes a first sidewall  160  and a protruding portion  162 . The first sidewall  160  of the first clamping portion  16   a   1  is connected to and protrudes from the first folding plate  13   a . The protruding portion  162  of the first clamping portion  16   a   1  protrudes from the first sidewall  160 , and protrudes towards the second edge  122   a  of the substrate  12  in the first direction D 1 . The first clamping portion  16   a   2  in this implementation is substantially the same as the first clamping portion  16   a   1 . Accordingly, the structure and function of the first clamping portion  16   a   2  and the connections between the first clamping portion  16   a   2  and other elements can be understood with regard to the related descriptions of the first clamping portion  16   a   1 . Details are not described herein again. 
     In this implementation, each pressing portion  18  has a top surface  180  (see  FIG. 1B ) far away from the first folding plate  13   a . The top surface  180  of the pressing portion  18  is configured to press against the annular wall  15 . In some implementations, a contour of the top surface  180  of the pressing portion  18  is complementary to a partial outer surface of the annular wall  15 . On the first folding plate  13   a , the pressing portion  18  is located between the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the first clamping portion  16   a   2 . In other words, on the first folding plate  13   a , one of the pressing portions  18  is located on a side, far away from the second clamping portion  17   a   1 , of the first clamping portion  16   a   1 . In addition, on the first folding plate  13   a , one of the first supporting portions  19  is connected between the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the pressing portion  18 . Another one of the first supporting portions  19  is connected between the first clamping portion  16   a   2  and the pressing portion  18 . The third one of the first supporting portions  19  is connected between two adjacent pressing portions  18 . In this way, the first supporting portion  19  can improve the overall structural strength. 
     It should be noted that the third folding plate  13   b  in this implementation and the elements located on the third folding plate  13   b  are substantially the same as the first folding plate  13   a  and the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the first supporting portions  19  that are located on the first folding plate  13   a . The structures and functions of the plurality of elements and the connections between the elements can be understood with regard to the foregoing related descriptions. Details are not described herein again. 
     In  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , a plurality of pressing portions  18  (where two pressing portions  18  are shown in the figures), and a plurality of second supporting portions  20  (where three second supporting portions  20  are shown in the figures) are disposed on the second folding plate  14   a . The second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , the plurality of pressing portions  18 , and the plurality of second supporting portions  20  are located on a same side of the second folding plate  14   a  as the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 . In some implementations, the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the second supporting portions  20  are formed through molding of a plastic material. In some implementations, the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the second supporting portions  20  that are located on the second folding plate  14   a  are formed by stamping the second folding plate  14   a . Furthermore, the second folding plate  14   a  is concave towards the second surface  11  to form a second cushioning space  174  (see  FIG. 1A ) and a second cushioning space  176  (see  FIG. 1A ) and to form the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 . The second cushioning space  174  is aligned with the second clamping portion  17   a   1 , and the second cushioning space  176  is aligned with the second clamping portion  17   a   2 . Similarly, the pressing portions  18  and the second supporting portions  20  are formed by concaving the second folding plate  14   a.    
     Specifically, the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the second clamping portion  17   a   2  are respectively located at two ends of the second folding plate  14   a  in the second direction D 2 . Furthermore, the second clamping portion  17   a   1  has a trench  170 . The trench  170  of the second clamping portion  17   a   1  is concave towards the second folding plate  14   a . The second clamping portion  17   a   2  in this implementation is substantially the same as the second clamping portion  17   a   1 . Accordingly, the structure and function of the second clamping portion  17   a   2  and the connections between the second clamping portion  17   a   2  and other components can be understood with regard to the related descriptions of the second clamping portion  17   a   1 . Details are not described herein again. 
     In this implementation, the pressing portions  18  located on the second folding plate  14   a  is substantially the same as the pressing portions  18  located on the first folding plate  13   a . Accordingly, the structure and function of the pressing portion  18  located on the second folding plate  14   a  and the connections between the elements can be understood with regard to the foregoing related descriptions. Details are not described herein again. It needs to be described herein that on the second folding plate  14   a , the pressing portions  18  is located between the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the second clamping portion  17   a   2 . In other words, on the second folding plate  14   a , one of the pressing portions  18  is located on a side, far away from the first clamping portion  16   a   1 , of the second clamping portion  17   a   1 . In addition, on the second folding plate  14   a , one of the second supporting portions  20  is connected between the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the pressing portion  18 . Another one of the second supporting portions  20  is connected between the second clamping portion  17   a   2  and the pressing portion  18 . The third one of the second supporting portions  20  is connected between two adjacent pressing portions  18 . In this way, the second supporting portions  20  can improve the overall structural strength. 
     It should be noted that, the fourth folding plate  14   b  in this implementation and the elements located on the fourth folding plate  14   b  are substantially the same as the second folding plate  14   a  and the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , the pressing portions  18 , and the second supporting portions  20  that are located on the second folding plate  14   a . The structures and functions of the plurality of elements and the connections between the elements can be understood with regard to the foregoing related descriptions. Details are not described herein again. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are respectively three-dimensional diagrams of a cushioning apparatus  1  in a folding process according to an implementation of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 2A , in some implementations, when the first folding plate  13   a  is folded towards the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 , the first clamping portion  16   a   1  located on the first folding plate  13   a  is clamped to the second clamping portion  17   a   1  located on the second folding plate  14   a . Specifically, in this implementation, the first folding plate  13   a  rotating towards the annular wall  15  with respect to the substrate  12  makes the first clamping portion  16   a   1  located on the first folding plate  13   a  clamped to the second clamping portion  17   a   1  located on the second folding plate  14   a  that is already folded. In some implementations, when the first folding plate  13   a  is folded towards the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 , the pressing portions  18  located on the first folding plate  13   a  respectively press against the annular wall  15 , and a gap is formed between the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the annular wall  15 . Specifically, the first folding plate  13   a  rotates  12  towards the annular wall  15  with respect to the substrate until the pressing portions  18  presses against the annular wall  15 . In this case, a gap is formed between the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the annular wall  15 . 
     Next, in  FIG. 2B , in some implementations, when the second folding plate  14   a  is folded towards the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 , the second clamping portion  17   a   1  located on the second folding plate  14   a  is clamped to the first clamping portion  16   a   1  located on the first folding plate  13   a . Specifically, in this implementation, the second folding plate  14   a  rotating towards the annular wall  15  with respect to the substrate  12  makes the second clamping portion  17   a   1  located on the second folding plate  14   a  clamped to the first clamping portion  16   a   1  on the first folding plate  13   a  that is already folded. In some implementations, when the second folding plate  14   a  is folded towards the second surface  11  of the substrate  12 , the pressing portions  18  located on the second folding plate  14   a  respectively press against the annular wall  15 , and a gap is formed between the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the annular wall  15 . Specifically, the second folding plate  14   a  rotates towards the annular wall  15  with respect to the substrate  12  until the pressing portions  18  press against the annular wall  15 . In this case, the trench  170  (see  FIG. 2A ) of the second clamping portion  17   a   1  is clamped to the protruding portion  162  (see  FIG. 2A ) of the first clamping portion  16   a   1  to allow the protruding portion  162  to be located in the trench  170 , so that the protruding portion  162  and the trench  170  are fixed to each other. In this implementation, a gap is formed between the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the annular wall  15  to form a cushioning space. In this way, when the cushioning apparatus  1  takes impact, the second clamping portion  17   a   1  and the first clamping portion  16   a   1  may maintain the clamping state, thereby improving the structural stability of the cushioning apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 2C  is a three-dimensional diagram of the structure in  FIG. 2B  from another angle. In  FIG. 2C , in this implementation, an accommodated item (not shown) may be disposed in the accommodation space  150  in the annular wall  15 . Because a concave groove structure is provided on a lateral surface of the folded cushioning apparatus  1 , cushioning distances when the accommodated item takes impact in at least the first direction D 1  and/or the second direction D 2  may be increased. Accordingly, the structural strength of the cushioning apparatus  1  can be improved without increasing a material thickness of the cushioning apparatus  1 , so as to prevent the accommodated item from damage due to impact. 
     In addition, the first clamping portion  16   a   1  (see  FIG. 2B ) on the first folding plate  13   a  and the second clamping portion  17   a   1  (see  FIG. 2B ) on the second folding plate  14   a  may be clamped to each other after the first folding plate  13   a  and the second folding plate  14   a  are folded, so that the first folding plate  13   a  and the second folding plate  14   a  can maintain the folded states, and the structural stability of the cushioning apparatus  1  is improved. Accordingly, the first folding plate  13   a  and the second folding plate  14   a  may be substantially perpendicular to the substrate  12  to take impact in at least the first direction D 1  and/or the second direction D 2 , so as to ensure that the cushioning apparatus  1  can achieve a cushioning effect. 
     Moreover, a force may be transferred between the first folding plate  13   a  and the second folding plate  14   a  by clamping the first clamping portion  16   a   1  and the second clamping portion  17   a   1 , so as to improve a cushioning capability of the cushioning apparatus  1  under impact. For example, when an external force is applied to the first folding plate  13   a , a stress from the external force may be transferred to the second folding plate  14   a  through the connection between the first clamping portion  16   a   1  (see  FIG. 2B ) and the second clamping portion  17   a   1  (see  FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, excessive bending of the first folding plate  13   a  due to the concentration of the stress on the first folding plate  13   a  can be prevented, so that a cushioning effect of the cushioning apparatus  1  can be improved. 
     In addition, because the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2  and the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2  (see  FIG. 2B ) respectively contain cushioning spaces  164 ,  166 ,  174 , and  176 , and the cushioning spaces  164 ,  166 ,  174 , and  176  can improve the structural flexibility of the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2  and the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2 , the first clamping portions  16   a   1  and  16   a   2  and the second clamping portions  17   a   1  and  17   a   2  can absorb a relatively large amount of impact energy under impact, so as to protect the accommodated item located in the cushioning apparatus  1 . 
     Moreover, the pressing portions  18  (see  FIG. 2B ) in this implementation press against the annular wall  15  after folded. Accordingly, when the cushioning apparatus  1  is impacted, the pressing portions  18  may help to transfer a stress from the first folding plate  13   a , the third folding plate  13   b  (see  FIG. 2B ), the second folding plate  14   a , and/or the fourth folding plate  14   b  to the annular wall  15 , and further to transfer the stress to the substrate  12 . In addition, a contour of the pressing portions  18  is complementary to a partial outer surface of the annular wall  15  for complete contact, so that the efficiency of stress transfer can be improved, thereby further improving the cushioning effect of the cushioning apparatus  1 . 
     The features in the foregoing implementations may enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to better understand various aspects of the present utility model. The person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that to achieve the same advantages of the implementations of the present utility model and/or the same objective, the person of ordinary skill in the art may further design or modify other processes and structures based on the present utility model. The person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present utility model. The person of ordinary skill in the art may make various changes, replacements and modifications herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model.