Patent Description:
When a wire such as a steel wire is transported, the wire is sometimes wound into the shape of a cylinder and tied with bands into a form called a wire coil, which is then loaded into a container, loaded onto a transport equipment, such as a vessel, and transported. Here, wire coils are less rigid than steel strip coils, which are sheet steel wound into the shape of a cylinder, and therefore collapse more easily. Wire coils are sometimes loosely tied with bands to prevent scratching due to slippage between the steel wires. In this case, the wire coils collapse even more easily. When wire coils are transported on a vessel, they may collapse inside the container due to the rocking of the hull caused by waves and the like. Also, wire coils of steel wires to be used for automobile fasteners and tire cord wires may be considered defective if scratched even slightly by collapse. Therefore, when wire coils are transported in a container on a vessel, the wire coils are sometimes held with packaging bodies and loaded in the container in order to prevent collapse.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a packaging body for placing a wire coil on a pallet with the axis of the cylinder oriented vertically, as a packaging body to be used when a wire coil is loaded into a container. This packaging body is such that an abutment member of a regular octagonal ring shape that surrounds the outer periphery of a wire coil is provided above the pallet, and the pallet and the abutment member are coupled by square pipes extending downward from the abutment member.

This structure prevents a wire coil from collapsing inside a container by surrounding and protecting the wire coil with the abutment member, the square pipes, and the pallet. Also, such packaging bodies are positioned and restricted from moving inside a container by arraying them in such a staggered pattern that one edge of the regular octagon of the abutment member abuts a side surface of the container and an edge that does not abut the side surface of the container and is inclined relative to the side surface of the container abuts one edge of the regular octagon of another packaging body.

With this structure, however, the abutment member of the regular octagonal ring shape surrounds the outer periphery of a wire coil, and therefore the outer shape of the abutment member needs to be larger than the regular octagon, which is externally tangent to the circumference of the wire coil. This leads to a problem that it is difficult to increase the number of wire coils loadable in a container. Also, arraying regular octagonal abutment members in a staggered pattern forms a gap between packaging bodies in the array direction. This leads to a problem that it is difficult to increase the number of wire coils loadable in a container.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a pallet comprising a primary body having an upper deck, a lower deck, and a set of lift channels. The upper deck includes horizontally extending upper surfaces and downwardly sloping walls extending from the upper surfaces. Patent Document <NUM> describes a method of introducing / discharging a heavy article that allows for introducing or discharging a coil-shaped heavy article to and from a transporting receptacle utilizing a pallet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a packaging body capable of increasing the number of wire coils loadable in a container as compared to the conventional art without impairing the function of protecting wire coils.

A packaging body according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a packaging body having the features of claim <NUM>. In particular, a packaging body for a wire coil being a wire wound into a shape of a cylinder and tied with a band achieves the object, wherein the packaging body being for protecting the wire coil by holding the wire coil sideways such that an axis of the cylinder of the wire coil is oriented in a horizontal direction, a plurality of the packaging bodies being to be loaded in a single container, wherein the packaging body including a plurality of base beams disposed on a floor surface of the container and extending in a longitudinal direction (i.e. a direction from a door of the container toward a back thereof) ; a cross beam disposed on the plurality of base beams so as to extend in a width direction of the container perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and coupling the base beams; and a block-shaped coil holding stand provided on the cross beam and including a recessed section in which to accommodate the wire coil sideways with an axial direction of the cylinder oriented in the width direction of the container, the coil holding stand being a stand to which to lash the wire coil, in which the coil holding stand includes a corrugated engagement section on a front surface and a back surface as viewed in longitudinal direction (from the door of the container toward the back thereof), a wave direction of the corrugated engagement section being oriented in the width direction of the container in plan view, the corrugated engagement section being configured to engage the corrugated engagement section of another one of the packaging bodies.

A method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method according to claim <NUM>. The method for loading a wire coil into a container by using the above packaging body comprises:
a coil loading step of loading the wire coil on the coil holding stand with the circumferential surface of the wire coil lying sideways; a coil lashing step of lashing the wire coil to the coil holding stand by passing a lashing belt through a hole portion of the cylinder of the wire coil, further passing the lashing belt through a gap between the coil holding stand and a container floor surface, and fastening the lashing belt into a loop; a roll cushion lashing step of covering at least the uppermost surface in the circumferential surface of the wire coil and part of the opposite end surfaces of the wire coil from above with the roll cushion, and lashing the roll cushion to the wire coil with a lashing belt; and a container loading step of loading a plurality of the packaging bodies having completed the roll cushion lashing step into the container such that the corrugated engagement sections face a front side and a back side, in which the container loading step includes a longitudinal direction (front-rear-direction) fixing step of engaging the corrugated engagement sections of the packaging bodies adjacent in a longitudinal direction and also bringing the roll cushions on the packaging bodies into abutment with each other, and a width-direction fixing step of pushing another one of the packaging bodies into a gap between the packaging bodies adjacent in the width direction of the packaging bodies or a gap between the packaging body and the container while compressing the beam cushioning members and the roll cushion.

With this configuration, the coil holding stand holds a coil so as to prevent it from being scratched. Moreover, a plurality of packaging bodies is positioned in a state of being arranged in tandem in the longitudinal direction from the door of the container toward its back and are restricted from moving relative to each other in the width direction of the container by engaging their corrugated engagement sections with each other.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging body capable of increasing the number of wire coils loadable in a container as compared to the conventional art without impairing the function of protecting wire coils.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

First, a configuration of a packaging body <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that, in the description, the depth direction of a shipping container <NUM> into which to load the packaging body <NUM> is an X direction, the vertical direction is a Z direction, and the width direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions is a Y direction.

Also, the drawings to be referred to are schematic drawings explaining embodiments, and the dimensional ratio between members and their shapes may differ from the actual ones in order to facilitate illustration and description.

Each packaging body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a member that protects a wire coil <NUM> being a wire wound into the shape of a cylinder and tied with bands not illustrated from external impacts and the like by holding the wire coil <NUM> sideways such that the axis of the cylinder is oriented in a horizontal direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of packaging bodies <NUM> are loaded in a single shipping container <NUM>. In <FIG>, the shipping container <NUM> is loaded with three rows of packaging bodies <NUM> in the width direction and three rows of packaging bodies <NUM> in the depth direction, so that <NUM>×<NUM>=<NUM> packaging bodies <NUM> are disposed in a single shipping container <NUM>. A single wire coil <NUM> is loaded on a single packaging body <NUM>. However, a plurality of wire coils <NUM> may be loaded on a single packaging body <NUM> by, for example, tying the plurality of wire coils <NUM> with bands.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the packaging bodies <NUM> are disposed in the shipping container <NUM> such that the axial direction of the cylinders of the wire coils <NUM> is oriented in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>. The shipping container <NUM> means a box-shaped transport container to be transported by a vehicle, a vessel, or the like with transport objects, which include the wire coils <NUM>, loaded therein while protecting the transport objects from external forces.

The shipping container <NUM> only needs to have such a size as to be capable of accommodating a plurality of packaging bodies <NUM> with wire coils <NUM> loaded thereon, and to have such strength as not to be deformed by the weights of these or the vibration or impact during transport. Specific examples include <NUM>-feet containers and <NUM>-feet containers mainly used in marine transport.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the shipping container <NUM> is a cuboidal body with a combination of square and rectangular surfaces, and a door <NUM> is provided at one of the square surfaces. Of the rectangular surfaces, the lower surface forms a container floor surface <NUM>, the rectangular surfaces perpendicular to the container floor surface <NUM> are container sidewalls <NUM>, and the upper surface opposed to the container floor surface <NUM> forms a top wall. The square surface opposed to the door <NUM> is a back wall <NUM>. Incidentally, the left and right container sidewalls <NUM> are coupled by container cross beams not illustrated, and the container floor surface <NUM> is provided on the container cross beams. Thus, the container floor surface <NUM> and the container cross beams receive the loads of the packaging bodies <NUM> and the wire coils <NUM> loaded in the shipping container <NUM>. From the viewpoint of transport efficiency, the shipping container <NUM> is preferably a container with standardized dimensions, such as an ISO container, but may be a dedicated container.

As illustrated in <FIG>, each packaging body <NUM> includes base beams <NUM>, cross beams <NUM>, a coil holding stand <NUM>, beam cushioning members <NUM>, and a roll cushion <NUM>.

The base beams <NUM> are a plurality of support beams that receive the weight of the other constituent members of the packaging body <NUM> and the wire coil <NUM> loaded on the packaging body <NUM> and transmit the weight to the container cross beams of the shipping container <NUM>. The base beams <NUM> are also used as slide plates that slide on the container floor surface <NUM> when the packaging body <NUM> is pulled into the shipping container <NUM> and pulled out of the shipping container <NUM>.

While a single packaging body <NUM> includes three base beams <NUM> in <FIG>, the number of base beams <NUM> may be selected as appropriate according to the weight of the wire coil <NUM> to be loaded on the packaging body <NUM>.

Each base beam <NUM> is a prismatic member extending in the X direction as longitudinal direction, and a plurality of these are placed on the container floor surface <NUM> so as to extend in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back, and face one another in the state of being loaded in the shipping container <NUM>. The length of the base beams <NUM> in the X direction is preferably greater than the diameter of the wire coil <NUM>. With such a length, the wire coil <NUM> does not stick out beyond the base beams <NUM> in the X direction when the wire coil <NUM> is placed on the packaging body <NUM>.

The base beams <NUM> are preferably made of a material that has such strength as not to be deformed by the weight of the other constituent members of the packaging body <NUM> and the wire coil <NUM> and is easily workable. Moreover, the material is preferably as light as possible in order to facilitate the transport of the packaging body <NUM> itself. The base beams <NUM> are also required to have wear resistance since they slide on the container floor surface <NUM> in the X direction at the time of loading into the shipping container <NUM>. Examples of such a material include a wood such as laminated wood and plastic imitation wood. Plastic imitation wood is a resin mold obtained by molding and heating a piece of a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene such that the strength and weight are adjusted to be similar to those of wood.

Whether to use laminated wood or plastic imitation wood may be determined as appropriate by taking the required strength, the cost, the environmental load, and so on into account. For example, laminated wood is more advantageous than plastic imitation wood in terms of cost. On the other hand, plastic imitation wood is advantageous in that the strength and weight can be easily adjusted by adjusting the material and dimensions of the resin piece and the molding conditions. Plastic imitation wood is also advantageous in that the resin piece as the raw material may be waste plastic, and thus the environmental load is lower than that of laminated wood, and also that even if the resin piece breaks, the broken material can be the raw material of new plastic imitation wood. Nonetheless, the environmental load of laminated wood is lower than that of solid wood since laminated wood is obtained by reusing wood that cannot be used as solid wood.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of base beams <NUM> are coupled by the cross beams <NUM>. The cross beams <NUM> too are beam-shaped members, and are disposed on the base beams <NUM> so as to extend in the Y direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the X direction, i.e., the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, in the state of being loaded in the shipping container <NUM>.

The length of the cross beams <NUM> in the Y direction is preferably more than or equal to the axial length of the wire coil <NUM>. With such a length, the wire coil <NUM> does not stick out beyond the packaging body <NUM> in the Y direction when the wire coil <NUM> is placed on the packaging body <NUM>. The upper limit of the length of the cross beams <NUM> in the Y direction is such a length that the cross beams <NUM> can be loaded in the shipping container <NUM>.

The number of cross beams <NUM> can be set as appropriate as long as they can restrain relative movement of the base beams <NUM> and be located so as not to obstruct the loading of the wire coil <NUM>. Six cross beams <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>.

Publicly known fastening means, such as bolts, may be used as means for coupling the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>. Also, it is preferable to employ a structure in which the portions of the cross beams <NUM> to be coupled to the base beams <NUM> are formed in a recessed shape with a length corresponding to the width of the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction, and the base beams <NUM> are fitted in the recessed coupling portions. This is because, when the packaging body <NUM> is assembled, the recessed shape allows the worker to visually easily figure out the positions on the cross beams <NUM> to which to attach the base beams <NUM>.

The cross beams <NUM> preferably have such strength as to be capable of coupling a pair of base beams <NUM> and holding the relative distance between the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction, and also are light in weight in order to facilitate the transport of the packaging body <NUM>. Specifically, the cross beams <NUM> may be made of the same material as the base beams <NUM>.

The coil holding stand <NUM> is a block-shaped member that directly contacts the wire coil <NUM> to receive and support its load, and is provided on the cross beams <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the coil holding stand <NUM> includes a recessed section <NUM> and corrugated engagement sections <NUM>.

The recessed section <NUM> is an accommodation section to accommodate the wire coil <NUM> sideways with the axial direction of the cylinder oriented in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>. <FIG> exemplarily illustrates a case where the recessed section <NUM> has a V-shape as viewed from the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>.

To form the recessed section <NUM> in the V-shape, the coil holding stand <NUM> has two wedge members 19a and 19b in the shape of a wedge each having an inclined surface <NUM> that supports the wire coil <NUM>. With this structure, the tips of the wedges are brought into abutment with each other as illustrated in <FIG>, so that the inclined surfaces <NUM> face each other and form a V-shaped groove section as the recessed section <NUM>.

Thus, on the coil holding stand <NUM>, the wire coil <NUM> is loaded in contact with the inclined surfaces <NUM> at the V-shaped groove section formed by bringing the wedge-shaped wedge members 19a and 19b into abutment with each other. In this way, even when the wire coil <NUM> deforms into a vertically elongated elliptical shape, a tip of the ellipse contacts the V-shaped groove and is restricted from moving downward and therefore does not contact the container floor surface <NUM>. This will now be described more specifically.

The wire coil <NUM> is a coiled object obtained by winding a wire into the shape of a cylinder and tying the wound wire with bands. Thus, the wire tends to bend more easily than sheet steel coils when receiving an external force due to vibration or impact during transport. For this reason, the wire coil <NUM> having a circular outer shape in a view from the axial direction as illustrated with a solid line in <FIG> may deform into a vertically elongated elliptical shape as illustrated with the dashed line by being bent by an external force. In this case, the lower end of the ellipse moves down to a position lower than the lower end of the wire coil when it was circular. Then, depending on the shape of the packaging body <NUM>, the lower end of the ellipse may contact the container floor surface <NUM> and get scratched. The coil holding stand <NUM>, however, holds the wire coil <NUM> on the V-shaped groove section formed by bringing the wedge-shaped wedge members 19a and 19b into abutment with each other. Thus, once the lower end of the elliptical wire coil <NUM> contacts the deepest portion of the groove section, the lower end does not move any farther downward and therefore does not touch the container floor surface <NUM>.

Also, as compared to a case where the recessed section <NUM> is an arc-shaped groove, the load of the wire coil <NUM> tends not to concentrate at one portion of the coil holding stand <NUM>. This can reduce the burden on the container cross beams supporting the container floor surface <NUM>.

While two pairs of wedge members 19a and 19b are illustrated in <FIG>, the number of wedge members 19a and 19b is set according to the axial length of the wire coil <NUM>. Specifically, in the state where the wedge members 19a and 19b are mounted on the cross beams <NUM>, a distance D between the opposite ends in the Y direction illustrated in <FIG> is preferably greater than the axial length of the wire coil <NUM> since in this way the wire coil <NUM> does not stick out beyond the wedge members 19a and 19b. Incidentally, the wedge members 19a and 19b may be integrated with each other, but the integration makes the deepest portion of the V-shaped section more prone to cracking. Hence, being separate members is preferable.

The corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are members that allow the packaging body <NUM> to engage with other packaging bodies <NUM> to be positioned and fixed. As illustrated in <FIG>, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are corrugated sections. The corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are provided on the front surface and back surface of the coil holding stand <NUM> as viewed from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back, and their wave direction is oriented in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, in plan view.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are configured to engage the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of other packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the X direction, which is a direction from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back, in the state where the packaging bodies <NUM> are loaded in the shipping container <NUM>.

In the state where the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the other packaging bodies <NUM>, when the packaging body <NUM> tries to move in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the other packaging bodies <NUM> prevent the movement. Also, when the other packaging bodies <NUM> try to move in the Y direction, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the packaging body <NUM> prevent that movement. Moreover, when the packaging body <NUM> is loaded into the shipping container <NUM>, inclined portions 23a of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the other packaging bodies <NUM> serve as guides for positioning in the Y direction.

By providing the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in this manner, a plurality of packaging bodies <NUM> are positioned so as to be arranged in tandem in the X direction and are restricted from moving in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM> with their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> engaged with one another, while the coil holding stands <NUM> holds wire coils <NUM> to prevent scratching.

In this way, it is possible to increase the number of wire coils <NUM> loadable in the shipping container <NUM> as compared to the conventional art without impairing the function of protecting wire coils <NUM>.

While trapezoidal waves are exemplarily illustrated as the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in <FIG>, the shape of the waves can be set as appropriate as long as they can engage each other to allow positioning and restrict movement. Here, in the case of waves having portions perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the wave direction, such as rectangular waves, those perpendicular portions do not function as guides for positioning. For this reason, the waveform is preferably such that the inclined portions 23a, which serve as positioning guides, are as long as possible, such as a trapezoidal, triangular, or sinusoidal shape.

If the wavelength of the waves is too long, the area of engagement is small, thereby weakening the effect of restricting movement. If the wavelength is too short, the strength is low, thereby making the corrugated portions easy to break. Thus, the wavelength is set as appropriate within such a range as to ensure strength.

Also, the higher the amplitude of the waves, the greater the holding force achieved by engagement, but an excessively high amplitude makes the corrugated portions easy to break. Thus, the amplitude is set as appropriate within such a range as to ensure strength. The wavelength, the amplitude, and the number of waves of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are the same on the wedge members 19a and 19b.

Incidentally, as illustrated in <FIG>, the wedge members 19a and 19b are offset from each other in the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>, i.e., the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, by a length that is an odd multiple of a half wavelength of a wave on the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. In <FIG>, the wedge members 19a and 19b are offset from each other by a length L that is a half wavelength of a wave on the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. Moreover, the wedge members 19a and 19b are disposed inward of the ends of the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> in the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>.

In this configuration, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the state where the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of adjacent packaging bodies <NUM> are engaged with one another, their base beams <NUM> and cross beams <NUM> are not offset from one another in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, and the ends of the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction are aligned as indicated by dashed lines E.

Accordingly, the packaging bodies <NUM> can be arranged in tandem with their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> engaged with one another. This can increase the number of wire coils <NUM> loadable in the shipping container <NUM>.

If the wedge members 19a and 19b are not offset in the Y direction, which is not according to the present invention, then, in the state where the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with one another, the ends of the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> of the adjacent packaging bodies <NUM> in the Y direction are offset from one another by the length L, which is a half wavelength of a wave, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this state, a gap is formed in the Y direction between the adjacent packaging bodies <NUM>. This may reduce the number of wire coils <NUM> loadable in the shipping container <NUM>.

Note that the length of the offset between the wedge members 19a and 19b is an odd multiple of a half wavelength of a wave on the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. However, at the offset portions, the wedge members 19a and 19b do not abut each other, and thus do not form a V-shaped groove and do not have the function of holding a wire coil <NUM>. Thus, the length of the offset is preferably as short as possible, and most preferably a half wavelength of a wave.

Also, the wedge members 19a and 19b are preferably disposed inward of the ends of the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, which is the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>. Specifically, it is preferable that the wedge members 19a and 19b not stick out beyond the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction. This is because if the wedge members 19a and 19b stick out beyond the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction, a space is formed between the sticking portions, the container floor surface <NUM>, and the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM>, which may reduce the number of wire coils <NUM> loadable in the shipping container <NUM>.

The wedge members 19a and 19b are made of such a material that the inclined surfaces <NUM> in contact with a wire coil <NUM> will not scratch the wire coil <NUM>. Any material can be selected as appropriate as long as it does not get broken by the load of the wire coil <NUM> or vibration during transport.

Note that it is preferable to employ a double shell structure made of a plurality of different materials, as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, the wedge members 19a and 19b preferably include an inner shell block <NUM> provided on cross beams <NUM>, and an outer shell block <NUM> formed so as to cover the inner shell block <NUM> and having a wedge shape as its outer shape.

The inner shell block <NUM> is a member that supports the load of the wire coil <NUM> to prevent deformation of the wedge member 19a or 19b, and further includes a lower inner shell block <NUM>, an upper inner shell block <NUM>, and a coupling block <NUM>.

The lower inner shell block <NUM> is a member with a long plate shape that serves as a base for the inner shell block <NUM>, and is fixed to the cross beams <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lower inner shell block <NUM> includes a lower coupling concavity 57a having a recessed shape in the upper surface. The upper inner shell block <NUM> is a block-shaped member to be mounted on the upper surface of the lower inner shell block <NUM>, and includes an upper coupling concavity 59a having a recessed shape in the lower surface, which is located above the lower coupling concavity 57a in the state where the upper inner shell block <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the lower inner shell block <NUM>.

The coupling block <NUM> is a block-shaped member that couples the lower inner shell block <NUM> and the upper inner shell block <NUM>, and has an outer shape corresponding to the upper coupling concavity 59a and the lower coupling concavity 57a.

Thus, the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the lower inner shell block <NUM> can be coupled by inserting the coupling block <NUM> into the upper coupling concavity 59a and the lower coupling concavity 57a. When the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the lower inner shell block <NUM> in the coupled state try to move relative to each other in the X direction, the upper coupling concavity 59a and the lower coupling concavity 57a are caught on the coupling block <NUM>, so that the movement is restricted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, sections of the upper surfaces of the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the lower inner shell block <NUM> located under the inclined surface <NUM> are inclined downward in the same direction as the inclined surface <NUM>. Specifically, the section of the lower inner shell block <NUM> located under the inclined surface <NUM> includes a lower inclined portion 57b inclined downward in the same direction as the inclined surface <NUM>. The section of the upper inner shell block <NUM> located under the inclined surface <NUM> includes an upper inclined portion 59b inclined downward in the same direction as the inclined surface <NUM>.

In this structure, the upper inner shell block <NUM> can be coupled to the lower inner shell block <NUM> as long as the upper coupling concavity 59a has such a shape that the coupling block <NUM> can be inserted thereinto. Thus, by preparing a plurality of upper inner shell blocks <NUM> differing in shape, dimension, and strength, the upper inner shell block <NUM> suitable to be coupled to the lower inner shell block <NUM> can be changed according to the dimensions, weight, and the like of the wire coil <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the upper inclined portion 59b and the lower inclined portion 57b of the upper surfaces of the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the lower inner shell block <NUM>, which are inclined surfaces located under the inclined surface <NUM>, have arc shapes bulging upward as viewed from the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>. Such a shape is also called a fan shape.

By forming the inclined surfaces in a fan shape as described above, the inclined surfaces support the wire coil <NUM> as an arch structure. In this way, the strength of the inner shell block <NUM> against the load of the wire coil <NUM> is improved as compared to the case of forming the inclined surface as a straight structure.

The outer shell block <NUM> is a member that directly contacts the wire coil <NUM> and allows the coil holding stand <NUM> to be supported by the base beams <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer shell block <NUM> is disposed so as to cover the inner shell block <NUM> from outside, and includes the inclined surface <NUM>.

The outer shell block <NUM> is held on the inner shell block <NUM> but they are only fitted to each other and not fastened with bolts or the like.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, an accommodation concavity 58a corresponding to the outer shape of the inner shell block <NUM> is formed in the bottom surface of the outer shell block <NUM>, and the inner shell block <NUM> is covered with the outer shell block <NUM> from outside by inserting and fitting the inner shell block <NUM> into the accommodation concavity 58a of the outer shell block <NUM>.

The inner shell block <NUM> and the outer shell block <NUM> differ in material. Specifically, the outer shell block <NUM> is made of a softer material than the material of the inner shell block <NUM>. A harder material refers to a material that is deformed to a smaller extent when pressed against another material. Conversely, a softer material refers to a material that is deformed to a greater extent when pressed against another material. This also applies to the following description.

With this configuration, when a wire coil <NUM> is loaded on the packaging body <NUM>, the inclined surface <NUM> of the outer shell block <NUM> receives the load of the wire coil <NUM> and thus supports the wire coil <NUM> together with the inner shell block <NUM> without getting the wire coil <NUM> scratched. The vertical component of the load of the wire coil <NUM> applied to the packaging body <NUM> is transmitted to the container cross beams through the coil holding stand <NUM>, the cross beams <NUM>, and the base beams <NUM>.

Scratching of the wire coil <NUM> can be prevented by bringing the softer outer shell block <NUM> and the wire coil <NUM> into contact with each other while supporting the load of the coil with the harder inner shell block <NUM> to prevent deformation of the wedge member 19a or 19b as described above.

Also, when the load concentrates at one portion of the outer shell block <NUM>, the inner shell block <NUM> receives the load and distributes the load to the cross beams <NUM> and the base beams <NUM>. This can reduce the burden on the container cross beams supporting the container floor surface <NUM>.

Examples of the constituent material of the outer shell block <NUM> include a bead-method expanded polyolefin. The bead-method expanded polyolefin is a material expanded when an olefin such as ethylene or propylene is condensed into a polyolefin. The bead-method expanded polyolefin is preferable since it is softer than materials obtained by expanding styrene, such as styrofoam. Specific examples of the bead-method expanded polyolefin include bead-method expanded polyethylene and bead-method expanded polypropylene.

Since the inner shell block <NUM> does not directly contact the wire coil <NUM>, its abrasiveness on the wire coil <NUM> does not need to be considered unlike the outer shell block <NUM>, and the material only needs to be one harder than the outer shell block <NUM>.

Nonetheless, the inner shell block <NUM> and the outer shell block <NUM> do not need to be made of completely different materials as long as the material of the inner shell block <NUM> is harder than that of the outer shell block <NUM>. Specifically, the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the outer shell block <NUM> may each be formed of a bead-method expanded polyolefin, with the material of the outer shell block <NUM> being higher in expansion ratio. This is because, with the same composition, a bead-method expanded polyolefin with a higher expansion ratio has higher porosity and is therefore softer. In this case, it is preferable to make the upper inner shell block <NUM> of the inner shell block <NUM> from a bead-method expanded polypropylene with an expansion ratio or <NUM> to <NUM>, and make the outer shell block <NUM> from a bead-method expanded polyethylene with an expansion ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>. This is because bead-method expanded polypropylene is more resistant to deformation by external forces than bead-method expanded polyethylene. Note that the lower inner shell block <NUM> may be laminated wood or plastic imitation wood.

These compositions are advantageous in productivity since the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the outer shell block <NUM> with different physical properties can be manufactured with the same polyolefin manufacturing apparatus by only changing the raw material and the expansion conditions during the manufacture.

Note that the upper inner shell block <NUM> may be made of a material other than a bead-method expanded polyolefin such as laminated wood or plastic imitation wood as long as it is harder than the outer shell block <NUM>. However, laminated wood and plastic imitation wood tend to be heavy and are therefore not suitable for safe and simple lashing work.

For this reason, by making the upper inner shell block <NUM> and the outer shell block <NUM> from bead-method expanded polyolefins differing in expansion ratio or substance, it is possible to prevent scratching of the wire coil <NUM> and also implement simple and safe lashing work while satisfying requirements for safe transport.

Incidentally, when the wedge members 19a and 19b employ the double shell structure, there is a possibility that the load of the wire coil <NUM> may disengage the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. This will now be described.

The coil holding stand <NUM> receives the load of the wire coil <NUM> on the inclined surfaces <NUM>, which are inclined downward. Thus, the inclined surface <NUM> of the outer shell block <NUM> is pulled in a direction H1 illustrated in <FIG> by the load of the wire coil <NUM>.

As the inclined surface <NUM> is pulled in the direction H1, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> engaged with each other may be moved in such directions as to get separated from each other and float and thus be disengaged.

Hence, to prevent the floating of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>, the coil holding stand <NUM> includes inner-shell corrugated portions 62a, outer-shell corrugated portions 62b, block groove portions 54a, tenons 56a, and mortice 56b, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inner-shell corrugated portions 62a are provided in the upper surface of the inclined surface of the upper inner shell block <NUM>. The inner-shell corrugated portions 62a are portions that appear corrugated as viewed from the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>.

Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, the outer-shell corrugated portions 62b with a corrugated shape that engage the inner-shell corrugated portions 62a are formed on the surface of the outer shell block <NUM> to be in contact with the inclined surface of the inner shell block <NUM>, i.e., the upper surface of the accommodation concavity 58a.

Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG>, the upper inner shell block <NUM> includes a flat section <NUM> on its upper surface situated closer to the longitudinal ends of the base beams <NUM> than the inclined surface <NUM> is. The flat section <NUM> includes the block groove portions 54a extending in the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the cross beams <NUM>.

Also, the upper inner shell block <NUM> includes a tenon or mortise provided along the vertical direction on or in its vertical surface facing the corrugated engagement section <NUM>. In <FIG>, the tenon 56a is illustrated.

On the other hand, the outer shell block <NUM> has a mortise or tenon that engages the tenon or mortise in or on its inner peripheral surface facing the vertical surface of the upper inner shell block <NUM>. In <FIG>, the mortise 56b is illustrated, which engages the tenon 56a.

With this structure, when the inclined surface <NUM> of the upper inner shell block <NUM> is pulled in the direction H1 illustrated in <FIG> by the load of the wire coil <NUM>, the floating of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> is prevented as follows.

First, the inner-shell corrugated portions 62a and the outer-shell corrugated portions 62b engage each other, thereby preventing movement of the outer shell block <NUM> relative to the inner shell block <NUM> in the direction H1. This prevents the corrugated engagement section <NUM> from being pulled and floated.

Next, even if the corrugated engagement section <NUM> is pulled, the block groove portions 54a deform so as to stretch horizontally as indicated by an arrow H3 in <FIG>, thereby preventing transmission of the pulling force to the corrugated engagement section <NUM>. This prevents the corrugated engagement section <NUM> from being pulled in the direction H1 and disengaged.

Further, the outer shell block <NUM> and the upper inner shell block <NUM> engage each other at the tenon 56a and the mortise 56b, thereby restricting horizontal movement. This prevents the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> from being pulled in the direction H1 and disengaged.

The wire coil <NUM> loaded on the coil holding stand <NUM> is lashed to it. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the wire coil <NUM> is lashed by passing lashing belts <NUM> through the gaps between a plurality of cross beams <NUM> under the coil holding stand <NUM> and further passing the lashing belts <NUM> through the hole portion of the cylinder of the wire coil <NUM>. In this way, the wire coil <NUM> is fixed to the coil holding stand <NUM>. By lashing the wire coil <NUM> to the coil holding stand <NUM> instead of to the shipping container <NUM> as described above, the shipper can guarantee lashing strength even when it is difficult for the shipper to guarantee lashing strength by lashing the wire coil <NUM> to the shipping container <NUM> due to aging or the like of the shipping container <NUM>. This will now be described specifically.

In the case of lashing a wire coil <NUM> to the shipping container <NUM>, whether the wire coil <NUM> is properly lashed or not depends on the strength of the shipping container <NUM>. Here, the strength of the shipping container <NUM> may have dropped due to aging even if it is a standardized product, such as an ISO container. The owner of the shipping container <NUM> is not necessarily the shipper, in which case it is difficult for the shipper to guarantee the strength of the shipping container <NUM>.

On the other hand, the packaging body <NUM> is dedicated for transport of a wire coil <NUM>, and the shipper is its owner. Accordingly, it is easier to guarantee the strength of the packaging body <NUM> than that of the shipping container <NUM>.

The beam cushioning members <NUM> are members that relax the impact of contact with the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM> of packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, when the packaging body <NUM> is loaded in the shipping container <NUM>. The beam cushioning members <NUM> are also members that get compressed at the time of pushing another packaging body <NUM> into a gap between packaging bodies <NUM> so that the packaging body <NUM> can be squeezed in the narrow gap.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the beam cushioning members <NUM> are a pair of plate-shaped members fixed to opposite ends of the cross beams <NUM> along the extension direction of the base beams <NUM>. Here, the beam cushioning members <NUM> are tied to the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM> with a band <NUM> wrapped around the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the case of squeezing a packaging body 1c into a gap between two packaging bodies 1a and 1b, the packaging body 1c is pushed in in the X direction with a beam cushioning member <NUM> of the packaging body 1c pressed against a beam cushioning member <NUM> of the packaging body 1b, so that the beam cushioning members <NUM> compress each other. Thus, the beam cushioning members <NUM> absorb the impact when the packaging bodies 1b and 1c come into contact with each other. This can prevent scratching of the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM> and also prevent scratching of the wire coils <NUM> due to the impact of the contact.

Also, when the packaging bodies 1b and 1c come into contact with each other, their beam cushioning members <NUM> are pressed against each other and thus compressed. Accordingly, even when the gap into which to squeeze the packaging body 1c is narrower than the width of the packaging body 1c, the packaging body 1c can be squeezed in as long as the difference between the widths is within the range within which the beam cushioning members <NUM> can be compressed.

Moreover, after being squeezed in, the beam cushioning members <NUM> push each other back as they try to return to the original state from the compressed state, and thus function to restrict relative movement of the packaging bodies 1b and 1c in the X and Y directions. The material of the beam cushioning members <NUM> is preferably one that deforms to a great extent when pressed against the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>, that is, a material softer than the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>, so that the beam cushioning members <NUM> can get compressed at the time of being squeezed in. Examples of such a material include the same material as the outer shell block <NUM>.

The beam cushioning members <NUM> extend in the same direction as the base beams <NUM>, but the length in their extension direction, which is the length in the X direction here, does not necessarily have to be the same length as the length of the base beams <NUM> of their extension direction. That is, the beam cushioning members <NUM> do not need to cover the entire side surfaces of the base beams <NUM> located at the opposite ends in the Y direction. Also, the beam cushioning members <NUM> do not need to cover the opposite ends of all cross beams <NUM>.

For example, the length of the pair of beam cushioning members <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in the X direction, which is their extension direction, may be less than a half of the length of the base beams <NUM>, and the beam cushioning members <NUM> may be disposed to be point-symmetric in plan view at the opposite ends of the cross beams <NUM> and one end of each of base beams <NUM> in their extension direction opposed to the other. In <FIG>, the beam cushioning members <NUM> are provided at the upper left corner and the lower right corner in plan view.

With this structure, as illustrated in <FIG>, the packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the Y direction are such that their beam cushioning members <NUM> are in contact only with the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>, and the beam cushioning members <NUM> are in contact with each other only until a packaging body <NUM> is partly squeezed in.

Incidentally, as illustrated in <FIG>, the beam cushioning members <NUM> may cover the base beams <NUM> over the same length as the length of the base beams <NUM> in the X direction, which is the extension direction.

Whether to make the length of the beam cushioning members <NUM> less than a half of the length of the base beams <NUM> or the same length may be determined as appropriate by taking the advantage of each into consideration.

For example, in the case where the length of the beam cushioning members <NUM> is less than a half of the length of the base beams <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the beam cushioning members <NUM> of packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the Y direction contact only the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM>, and the beam cushioning members <NUM> do not contact each other. On the other hand, in the case where the length of the beam cushioning members <NUM> is the same length as the length of the base beams <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the beam cushioning members <NUM> of packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the Y direction contact each other. Accordingly, in the case where the length is less than a half of the length of the base beams <NUM>, the gap in which a packaging body <NUM> can be squeezed is narrower by the thickness of a single beam cushioning member <NUM>. Thus, when it is desirable to squeeze a packaging body <NUM> in a narrow gap, it is advantageous for the length of the base beams <NUM> to be less than a half length.

On the other hand, when the length of the beam cushioning members <NUM> is the same length as the length of the base beams <NUM>, there are always two beam cushioning members <NUM> sandwiched between the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM> of adjacent packaging bodies <NUM>. This enables the beam cushioning members <NUM> to exhibit a better impact absorbing effect.

The roll cushion <NUM> is a member that protects the circumferential surface and flat end surfaces of a wire coil <NUM> by covering them from above, and also stops the wire coil <NUM> from moving to prevent scratching thereof by abutting the roll cushions <NUM> of other packaging bodies <NUM> and thereby restricting each other's movement.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the roll cushion <NUM> is a sheet-shaped member that is long and bendable into a roll shape.

The length of long edges 31a of the roll cushion <NUM> is about a half of the circumferential length of the wire coil <NUM>. Accordingly, the roll cushion <NUM> covers about a half of a part of the wire coil <NUM> including the uppermost surface in its circumferential surface from above in a state of being bent in a roll shape. The length of short edges 31b of the roll cushion <NUM> is longer than the axial length of the wire coil <NUM>. In the state of covering the circumferential surface of the wire coil <NUM>, portions sticking out beyond the opposite axial ends of the wire coil <NUM>, which in <FIG> are the portions indicated by the dashed lines, are folded at a right angle into abutment with the flat surfaces. Thus, the roll cushion <NUM> covers part of the opposite end surfaces of the wire coil <NUM> from above. In this state, lashing belts <NUM> are passed from the upper surface of the roll cushion <NUM> through the hole in the cylinder of the wire coil <NUM> and fastened. As a result, the roll cushion <NUM> is lashed to the wire coil <NUM>.

The roll cushion <NUM> in this state protects the wire coil <NUM> by being lashed to the wire coil <NUM> with the lashing belts <NUM> in the state of covering at least the uppermost surface in the circumferential surface of the wire coil <NUM> and part of its opposite end surfaces from above.

In the state where a plurality of packaging bodies <NUM> are loaded in the shipping container <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, each roll cushion <NUM> abuts the roll cushions <NUM> of other adjacent packaging bodies <NUM> to restrict one another's movement. Specifically, first, longitudinal end portions of the section of the roll cushion <NUM> covering the circumferential surface of a wire coil <NUM> abut longitudinal end portions of the sections of the roll cushions <NUM> on other packaging bodies <NUM> covering the circumferential surfaces of wire coils <NUM> thereon, the other packaging bodies <NUM> being adjacent in the X direction, which is the depth direction of the shipping container <NUM>. This restricts relative movement of the wire coils <NUM> in the X direction. Moreover, the sections covering the opposite end surfaces of a wire coil <NUM> abut sections of the roll cushions <NUM> on other packaging bodies <NUM> covering the opposite end surfaces of wire coils <NUM> thereon, the other packaging bodies <NUM> being adjacent in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>. This restricts relative movement of the wire coils <NUM> in the Y direction.

As described above, each packaging body <NUM> protects a substantially upper half of a wire coil <NUM> by covering it with the roll cushion <NUM>, and also restricts movement of the wire coil <NUM> by abutting other packaging bodies <NUM>. The lower half is protected by being accommodated in the recessed section <NUM> of the coil holding stand <NUM>, and is also restricted from moving as the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> and the beam cushioning members <NUM> engage and contact the coil holding stands <NUM> of other packaging bodies <NUM>. Hence, it is possible to protect each wire coil <NUM> restrict its movement without surrounding the entire wire coil <NUM>.

As the roll cushion <NUM>, any structure can be selected as appropriate as long as it can be bent in the longitudinal direction into a roll shape and end portions sticking out beyond the wire coil <NUM> in the bent state can be folded. For example, a bellows shape is preferable which, as illustrated in <FIG>, has straight cuts 30a provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction as fold lines extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. By folding the roll cushion <NUM> at the cuts 30a, the roll cushion <NUM> can be easily bent in the longitudinal direction into a roll shape. Also, when the roll cushion <NUM> is not used, it can be easily rolled up and stored.

Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is preferable that the linear width of the cuts 30a of the roll cushion <NUM>, i.e., the width of the short edges 31b, be longer than the axial length of the coil and that a plurality of notches 30b be provided in the opposite ends in the transverse direction.

Providing the plurality of notches 30b makes it easier to fold the end portions in the transverse direction between the plurality of notches 30b and thus protect the end surfaces of the wire coil <NUM>.

The material of the roll cushion <NUM> can be selected as appropriate as long as the material has such flexibility as to be bent in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction, and is capable of protecting a wire coil <NUM> without scratching the wire coil <NUM> when in contact with it and without being easily broken by external forces. For example, the material may be the same material as the outer shell block <NUM> of the coil holding stand <NUM>.

This concludes the description of a configuration of the packaging body <NUM>.

Next, a method for loading wire coils <NUM> into a container by using packaging bodies <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. In this loading method, a coil loading step, a coil lashing step, a roll cushion lashing step, and a container loading step are performed in a process of loading cargo into a container, which is called vanning.

First, in the coil loading step, as illustrated in <FIG>, a wire coil <NUM> is loaded on the coil holding stand <NUM> with its circumferential surface lying sideways. Specifically, the wire coil <NUM> is placed on the coil holding stand <NUM> such that the circumferential surface of the wire coil <NUM> abuts the inclined surfaces <NUM> of the V-shaped groove section.

Next, in the coil lashing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, lashing belts <NUM> are passed through the hole portion of the cylinder of the wire coil <NUM>. Moreover, each lashing belt <NUM> is passed through the gap between the coil holding stand <NUM> and the container floor surface <NUM>, which is the gap between a plurality of cross beams <NUM> under the coil holding stand <NUM> here, and fastened into a loop. As a result, the wire coil <NUM> is lashed to the coil holding stand <NUM>.

Next, in the roll cushion lashing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, at least the uppermost surface in the circumferential surface of the wire coil <NUM> and part of its opposite end surfaces are covered with the roll cushion <NUM> from above. Moreover, the end portions of the roll cushion <NUM> sticking out in the axial direction of the wire coil <NUM> are folded into abutment with the end surfaces of the wire coil <NUM>. In this state, lashing belts <NUM> are passed through the hole portion of the cylinder of the wire coil <NUM>, wrapped around the roll cushion <NUM>, and fastened. As a result, the roll cushion <NUM> is lashed to the wire coil <NUM>.

The coil loading step, the coil lashing step, and the roll cushion lashing step are performed as many times as the number of wire coils <NUM> to be loaded into a single container.

Incidentally, wire coils <NUM> are sometimes stored temporarily in a storage place, such as a vanning warehouse, if it takes time before they are loaded into the shipping container <NUM> after being carried out of the manufacturing factory. In this case, before being temporarily stored, the wire coils <NUM> may be subjected to the coil loading step, the coil lashing step, and the roll cushion lashing step, and temporarily stored in the storage place in the state of the packaging body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. By temporarily storing the wire coils <NUM> in the state of the packaging body <NUM> as described above, it is possible to prevent the wire coils <NUM> from being scratched by contacting the floor of the storage place or from being scratched by collapsing during the storage. Also, at the time of vanning, the wire coils <NUM> can be carried out of the storage place in the state of the packaging body <NUM> and loaded into the shipping container <NUM>. This can improve the efficiency of the vanning work and reduce the labor of the vanning work.

The plurality of packaging bodies <NUM> having completed the roll cushion lashing step are loaded into a single shipping container <NUM> in the container loading step. A specific process is as follows.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, each packaging body <NUM> is loaded into the shipping container <NUM> with the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the front surface and back surface of the shipping container <NUM>. To be loaded, the packaging body <NUM> is firstly lifted up with a forklift or the like and unloaded on the container floor surface <NUM> near the door of the shipping container <NUM>. Then, a jig such as a pushing bar is attached to the forklift, and, for example, the base beams <NUM> and the cross beams <NUM> of the packaging body <NUM> are pushed with the jig, so that the packaging body <NUM> is moved in the X direction and pushed in to the back of the shipping container <NUM>.

At this time, the packaging body <NUM> is preferably pushed in to such a position as not be in contact with another packaging body <NUM> from the beginning. In the first embodiment, <NUM>×<NUM>=<NUM> packaging bodies <NUM> are loaded into one shipping container <NUM>. Thus, in <FIG>, first, the packaging bodies 1a and 1b are pushed in into abutment with the back wall <NUM> and the left and right container sidewalls <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM>. Accordingly, a space to load one packaging body <NUM> is left between the two packaging bodies <NUM>. Nonetheless, the two packaging bodies <NUM> may be loaded in contact with each other in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>. In this case, a space to load the one remaining packaging body <NUM> is left between a container sidewall <NUM> and one of the packaging bodies <NUM>.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, another packaging body 1c is pushed in between the two packaging bodies <NUM>. At this time, the packaging body 1c is pushed in in the X direction with its beam cushioning member <NUM> pressed against a beam cushioning member <NUM> of the packaging body 1b, so that the beam cushioning members <NUM> compress each other. Moreover, at this time, the sections of the roll cushions <NUM> covering the end surfaces of the respective wire coils <NUM> come into abutment with one another as well. Thus, the packaging body 1c is pushed in with the abutting portions of its roll cushion <NUM> compressed as well. After being pushed in, the packaging bodies 1a, 1b, and 1c are restricted from moving relative to one another by the repulsive forces against the compression of their beam cushioning members <NUM> and roll cushions <NUM> (width-direction fixing step).

In the case of loading two packaging bodies <NUM> in contact with each other and squeezing the remaining packaging body <NUM> in the space between a container sidewall <NUM> and one of the packaging bodies <NUM>, the packaging body <NUM> to be squeezed in is pushed in with its beam cushioning members <NUM> and roll cushion <NUM> pressed against the packaging body <NUM> and the container sidewall <NUM>, so that beam cushioning members <NUM> and roll cushion <NUM> are compressed. In this case too, the packaging bodies 1a, 1b, and 1c are restricted from moving relative to one another by the repulsive forces against the compression of their beam cushioning members <NUM> and roll cushions <NUM>.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, another packaging body 1d is loaded before the packaging bodies 1a to 1c. At this time, corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the packaging bodies <NUM> adjacent in the front-rear-direction, which is the depth direction of the shipping container <NUM> here, are engaged with each other, and their roll cushions <NUM> are brought into abutment with each other as well (front-rear-direction fixing step).

In <FIG>, the corrugated engagement section <NUM> on the front surface of the packaging body 1a and the corrugated engagement section <NUM> on the back surface of the packaging body 1d are engaged with each other. Moreover, the sections of the roll cushions <NUM> covering the circumferential surfaces of the respective wire coils <NUM> are brought into contact with each other.

After this, the width-direction fixing step and the front-rear-direction fixing step are repeated until all packaging bodies <NUM> to be loaded in the shipping container <NUM> are loaded in the shipping container <NUM>.

This concludes the description of a method for loading wire coils <NUM> into a container by using packaging bodies <NUM>.

As described above, the packaging body <NUM> in the first embodiment includes the base beams <NUM>, the cross beams <NUM>, and the coil holding stand <NUM>, and the coil holding stand <NUM> includes the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> on the front surface and back surface as viewed from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back, the wave direction of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> being oriented in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM> in plan view.

With this configuration, the coil holding stand <NUM> holds a wire coil <NUM> to prevent it from being scratched. Moreover, a plurality of the packaging bodies <NUM> are positioned in a state of being arranged in tandem in the longitudinal direction from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back and are restricted from moving relative to each other in the width direction of the shipping container <NUM> by engaging their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> with each other.

Thus, the packaging body <NUM> can increase the number of wire coils <NUM> loadable in the shipping container <NUM> as compared to the conventional art without impairing the function of protecting wire coils <NUM>.

Next, a configuration of a packaging body 1a according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The second embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment in which a plurality of wire coils <NUM> are loaded on a single packaging body. Note that elements in the second embodiment that serve functions similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the packaging body 1a according to the second embodiment is such that the length of the cross beams <NUM> is about three times the length of the cross beams <NUM> in the first embodiment. Moreover, six wedge members 19a and six wedge members 19b each having the same dimensions as those in the first embodiment are disposed along the Y direction. Furthermore, the dimensions of the base beams <NUM> are the same as the dimensions of the base beams <NUM> in the first embodiment. Thus, the packaging body 1a has an outer shape obtained by extending the packaging body <NUM> according to the first embodiment in the Y direction. Thus, the packaging body 1a is configured such that three wire coils <NUM> can be loaded thereon along the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, on condition that each wire coil <NUM> has the same dimensions as those of the wire coil <NUM> loaded on the packaging body <NUM> according to the first embodiment.

As described above, the packaging body 1a may be configured such that a plurality of wire coils <NUM> can be loaded thereon.

Incidentally, if the largest width of the packaging body 1a in the Y direction is substantially equal to the width of the shipping container <NUM> in the Y direction, it will be easy to position the packaging body 1a in the Y direction at the time of loading into the shipping container <NUM>.

Whether to select the configuration in which a single wire coil <NUM> is loaded on a single packaging body <NUM> as in the first embodiment or the configuration in which a plurality of wire coils <NUM> are loaded on a single packaging body 1a as in the second embodiment may be selected as appropriate by taking the advantage of each into consideration.

For example, in the configuration in which a single wire coil <NUM> is loaded on a single packaging body <NUM> as in the first embodiment, the single packaging body <NUM> surrounds the outer periphery of the single wire coil <NUM>. This is advantageous from the viewpoint of preventing scratching and deformation of the wire coil <NUM>.

On the other hand, with the configuration in which a plurality of wire coils <NUM> are loaded on a single packaging body 1a as in the second embodiment, the number of packaging bodies 1a required to transport wire coils <NUM> is smaller than when packaging bodies <NUM> are used. This is advantageous in terms of transport cost.

Next, a configuration of a packaging body 1b according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The packaging body 1b according to the third embodiment is such that longitudinal end portions 15a of the base beams <NUM> in the second embodiment project beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction. Moreover, convexities <NUM> are provided on the upper surfaces of the projecting portions. Furthermore, an engagement jig <NUM> to be fitted to the convexities <NUM> and a corrugated engagement section <NUM> are provided.

Note that elements in the third embodiment that serve functions similar to those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the packaging body 1b according to the third embodiment is such that the longitudinal end portions 15a of the base beams <NUM> project away from the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction. Note that the packaging body 1b has corrugated engagement sections <NUM> on the front surface and back surface of the packaging body 1b, and the longitudinal end portions 15a of the base beams <NUM> project away from both corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. The end portions 15a of the base beams <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are end portions closer to the front side of the shipping container <NUM> in the X direction, and project in the X direction toward the front side of the shipping container <NUM> toward the back side. Incidentally, though not illustrated, the end portions 15a closer to the back side of the shipping container <NUM> project in the X direction toward the back side of the shipping container <NUM> from the front side beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>.

The base beams <NUM> include the convexities <NUM> on the upper surfaces of the portions projecting beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction. In <FIG>, a cuboidal shape is exemplarily illustrated as the outer shape of the convexities <NUM>. At least one convexity <NUM> may be sufficient. <FIG> exemplarily illustrates a structure in which the convexities <NUM> are not provided on the base beams <NUM> at the opposite ends in the Y direction, and a convexity <NUM> is provided on each of the three base beams <NUM> other than those at the opposite ends, so that three convexities <NUM> are provided in total.

Also, the packaging body 1b according to the third embodiment includes the engagement jig <NUM>. The engagement jig <NUM> is a block-shaped member that protects a corrugated engagement section <NUM> by engaging the corrugated engagement section <NUM>, and includes a jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM>, a flat surface section <NUM>, and concavities <NUM>. The engagement jig <NUM> in <FIG> has a block shape extending in the Y direction.

The jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> is a corrugated section that engages a corrugated engagement section <NUM>, and is provided on one of the side surfaces of the packaging body 1b. In <FIG>, the corrugated engagement section <NUM> is provided on the back surface as viewed from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward its back, and its wave direction is oriented in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, in plan view. The dimensions and shapes of the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> such as its waveform, wavelength, and amplitude are the same as those of the corrugated engagement section <NUM>. In this way, the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> can engage a corrugated engagement section <NUM>. Nonetheless, the height in the Z direction may be greater or less than the upper end of the corrugated engagement section <NUM> in the Z direction. Moreover, the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> does not need to engage all waves forming the corrugated engagement section <NUM>.

The flat surface section <NUM> is a surface opposed to the side surface where the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> is provided and, in <FIG>, is provided on the front surface as viewed from the door <NUM> of the shipping container <NUM> toward it back. The flat surface section <NUM> is a flat surface and is therefore a surface parallel to the Y-Z plane.

The concavities <NUM> are dents to be fit to the convexities <NUM> and provided in the bottom surface of the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM>. The shape and dimensions of the concavities <NUM> are such a shape and dimensions that the concavities <NUM> can be fitted to the convexities <NUM>. Specifically, the concavities <NUM> have an inner surface shape that is the same as the outer shape of the concavities <NUM>, and the dimensions are substantially the same as well. In <FIG>, the convexities <NUM> are cuboidal, and therefore the inner surface shape of the concavities <NUM> is cuboidal as well.

At least the same number of concavities <NUM> as the convexities <NUM> is required. Also, since the convexities <NUM> are to be fitted to the concavities <NUM>, the positional relationships between the concavities <NUM> such as the distances between them in the X and Y directions are the same as the positional relationships between the convexities <NUM> in the X and Y directions. Specifically, in the state where the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> and the corrugated engagement section <NUM> are engaged, the concavities <NUM> and the convexities <NUM> are in such a positional relationship that their positions in plan view coincide with each other.

With this structure, by moving the engagement jig <NUM> downward with the concavities <NUM> located above the convexities <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> to engage the corrugated engagement section <NUM> and the jig-side corrugated engagement section <NUM> and fit the convexities <NUM> to the concavities <NUM>, the engagement jig <NUM> is fixed to the packaging body 1b as illustrated in <FIG>. In this state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the engagement jig <NUM> covers the corrugated engagement section <NUM>. Incidentally, in the state illustrated in <FIG>, a wire coil <NUM> can be loaded on the packaging body 1b with the engagement jig <NUM> fixed thereto, and the packaging body 1b can be handled with a forklift or the like.

The reason why there are provided corrugated engagement sections <NUM> and a corrugated engagement section <NUM> may be covered with the engagement jig <NUM> as describe above, and the reason for making the base beams <NUM> project beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction will now be described.

The corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are members that engage corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of other packaging bodies 1b to restrict relative movement of the engaged packaging bodies 1b in the Y direction.

Here, as illustrated in <FIG>, of packaging bodies 1b loaded in the shipping container <NUM>, packaging bodies 1b in contact with the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> are such that their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> are not engaged with others' corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. The corrugated engagement sections <NUM> not engaged with others' corrugated engagement sections <NUM> do not exert the function of restricting movement in the Y direction, and also the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> may collide with the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> and break their waves.

Thus, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> can be protected from the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> by covering each corrugated engagement section <NUM> with the engagement jig <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, by covering each of the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> with the engagement jig <NUM>, the flat surface sections <NUM> of the engagements jigs <NUM> face the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM>. The flat surface sections <NUM> are surfaces parallel to the Y-Z plane and therefore face the inner surfaces of the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM> in parallel to one another. In this way, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> will not break even if the flat surface sections <NUM> contact the door <NUM> and the back wall <NUM>.

Also, in <FIG>, all packaging bodies 1b loaded in the shipping container <NUM> include corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. However, cargo loaded in a single shipping container <NUM> is not always wire coils <NUM> with the same dimensions. Thus, not all cargo supporting structures, such as mounts and packaging bodies, loaded in the shipping container <NUM> are necessarily provided with corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. For instance, <FIG> illustrates an example in which two packaging bodies 1b and one coil mount <NUM> are loaded in one shipping container <NUM>. The coil mount <NUM> is disposed in the shipping container <NUM> so as to be sandwiched in the X direction, and a coiled object <NUM> having different dimensions from those of the wire coils <NUM> is loaded thereon. The coiled object <NUM> is a sheet steel coil, for example. Unlike the packaging bodies 1b, the coil mount <NUM> for loading the coiled object <NUM> is not provided with corrugated engagement sections <NUM>. When the coil mount <NUM> without corrugated engagement sections <NUM> and the packaging bodies 1b with corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are loaded together in a single shipping container <NUM> as described above, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the coil mount <NUM> cannot engage the coil mount <NUM>. Also, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> facing the coil mount <NUM> may collide with the coil mount <NUM> and break their waves.

For this reason, by covering each corrugated engagement section <NUM> facing the coil mount <NUM> with the engagement jig <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the corrugated engagement section <NUM> can be protected from the mount without corrugated engagement sections <NUM>, such as the coil mount <NUM>.

Also, in the case where the base beams <NUM> project beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction, projecting portions of the base beams <NUM> of packaging bodies 1b adjacent in the X direction face each other in the Y direction in a state where corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the packaging bodies 1b adjacent in the X direction are engaged with each other as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, in <FIG>, corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of a packaging bodies 1b-<NUM> and 1b-<NUM> adjacent in the X direction are engaged with each other, and base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> face and abut each other in the Y direction.

In this state, if the packaging body 1b-<NUM> tries to move in a direction Y1, which is one direction along the Y direction, the packaging body 1b-<NUM> is restricted from moving by the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> contacting the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM>. Conversely, if the packaging body 1b-<NUM> tries to move in a direction Y2, which is one direction along the Y direction and opposite to the direction Y1, the packaging body 1b-<NUM> is restricted from moving by the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> contacting the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM>. Thus, not only the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> but also the base beams <NUM> restrict movement of the packaging bodies 1b in the Y direction. The directions Y1 and Y2 are directions in which the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may get closer to each other in the Y direction.

As described above, by making the base beams <NUM> project beyond the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the X direction, the base beams <NUM> can also restrict movement of the packaging body 1b in the Y direction.

Note that the positions of the base beams <NUM> in the Y direction are preferably such positions that, in a state where the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of other packaging bodies 1b, the base beams <NUM> abut the base beams <NUM> of the other packaging bodies 1b with the engaged corrugated engagement sections <NUM> in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packing body 1b-<NUM> are engaged with each other, and the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> abut each other in the Y direction. With this configuration, when corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of two packaging bodies 1b are engaged with each other, their base beams <NUM> abut each other in the Y direction, thereby restraining movement in the directions in which the base beams <NUM> may get closer to each other in the Y direction.

Moreover, the positions of the base beams <NUM> of the packaging body 1b in the Y direction are preferably such positions that, in a state where the base beams <NUM> abut the base beams <NUM> of another packaging body 1b in the Y direction, which is the width direction of the shipping container <NUM>, the packaging body 1b abuts a sidewall of the shipping container <NUM> in the direction opposite to the direction in which the base beams <NUM> abut each other.

For example, in <FIG>, a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> are engaged with each other, and the packaging body 1b-<NUM> abuts a sidewall 5a of the shipping container <NUM> in the direction Y2 opposite to the direction Y1, in which the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> abut the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM>.

On the other hand, the packaging body 1b-<NUM> abuts a sidewall 5b of the shipping container <NUM> in the direction Y1 opposite to the direction Y2, in which the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> abut the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM>. With this configuration, when the packaging body 1b-<NUM> tries to move in the direction Y2, the sidewall 5a of the shipping container <NUM> prevents the movement since the packaging body 1b-<NUM> abuts the sidewall 5a. On the other hand, when the packaging body 1b-<NUM> tries to move in the direction Y1, the sidewall 5b of the shipping container <NUM> prevents the movement since the packaging body 1b-<NUM> abuts the sidewall 5b. Accordingly, it is possible to restrict movement in both directions along the Y direction.

Incidentally, as illustrated in <FIG>, when packaging bodies 1c of the same type are loaded in the shipping container <NUM>, their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> may also be covered with the engagement jigs <NUM>. There are two reasons for this.

Now, the first reason is that the shipping container <NUM> may be provided in advance with members that guide the base beams <NUM> in the X direction while restricting movement in the Y direction, such as rails that serve as guides for movement in the X direction. In this case, the packaging bodies 1c do not need to have members that allow positioning while restricting movement in the Y direction, like the corrugated engagement sections <NUM>, and engaging the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> may conversely result in misalignment between positions of the base beams <NUM> and the rails. In this case too, the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> need to be covered with the engagement jigs <NUM> when the packaging bodies 1c are loaded in the shipping container <NUM>. Thus, even when the shipping container <NUM> is provided with members that guide movement of the packaging bodies 1c, covering the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> with the engagement jigs <NUM> will prevent the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> from obstructing the guidance of the guide members.

Next, there is a case where it is not desired to bring the base beams <NUM> of packaging bodies 1c into contact with each other when their corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with each other.

Depending on the length of the base beams <NUM>, the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and the base beams <NUM>-<NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> may abut each other in the Y direction, as illustrated in <FIG>, when a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> and a corrugated engagement section <NUM> of the packaging body 1b-<NUM> are engaged with each other. While this structure is effective in preventing the packaging bodies 1b-<NUM> and 1b-<NUM> from moving in the Y direction, the base beams <NUM> do not need to restrict movement of the packaging bodies 1c in the Y direction in the case where the shipping container <NUM> is provided with members that guide movement of the packaging bodies 1c. Also, when the base beams <NUM> abut each other in the Y direction, the loads applied from the packaging bodies 1c concentrate on the container floor surface under the abutting potions. This increases the burden on the beams supporting the container floor surface. For this reason, it is sometimes preferable not to bring the base beams <NUM> into abutment with each other in the Y direction in the case of using a shipping container <NUM> whose beams have degraded due to aging or the like.

Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, by covering the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> with the engagement jigs <NUM>, the engagement jigs <NUM> on adjacent packaging bodies 1c contact each other, thereby separating their base beams <NUM> in the X direction. In this state, the base beams <NUM> do not abut each other in the Y direction. Incidentally, to prevent the base beams <NUM> from abutting each other in the Y direction, the lengths of the base beams <NUM> needs to be such that they do not project beyond the engagement jigs <NUM> in the X direction in the state where the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> are covered with the engagement jigs <NUM>. More specifically, the base beams <NUM> only need to be such that the positions of the longitudinal end portions 15a of the base beams <NUM> and the engagement jigs <NUM> in plan view overlap in the state where the jig-side corrugated engagement sections <NUM> of the engagement jigs <NUM> are engaged with the corrugated engagement sections <NUM> and the convexities <NUM> are fitted to the concavities <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A packaging body (<NUM>, 1a, 1b, 1b-<NUM>, 1b-<NUM>, 1c, 1d) for a wire coil (<NUM>) being a wire wound into a shape of a cylinder and tied with a band, the packaging body being for protecting the wire coil by holding the wire coil sideways such that an axis of the cylinder of the wire coil is oriented in a horizontal direction, a plurality of the packaging bodies being to be loaded in a single container (<NUM>), the packaging body comprising:
a plurality of base beams (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) configured to be disposed on a floor surface of the container (<NUM>) and extending in a longitudinal direction;
a cross beam (<NUM>) disposed on the plurality of base beams (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) so as to extend in a width direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and coupling the base beams (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>); and
a block-shaped coil holding stand (<NUM>) provided on the cross beam (<NUM>) and including a recessed section (<NUM>) in which to accommodate the wire coil (<NUM>) sideways with an axial direction of the cylinder oriented in the said width direction , the coil holding stand (<NUM>) being a stand to which to lash the wire coil (<NUM>), wherein
the coil holding stand (<NUM>) includes a corrugated engagement section (<NUM>) on a front surface and a back surface as viewed in longitudinal direction, a wave direction of the corrugated engagement section (<NUM>) being oriented in the width direction in plan view, the corrugated engagement section (<NUM>) being configured to engage the corrugated engagement section (<NUM>) of another one of the packaging bodies, wherein the coil holding stand (<NUM>) has two wedge members (19a, 19b) in a shape of a wedge having an inclined surface (<NUM>) that is configured to support the wire coil (<NUM>), and tips of the wedges abut each other to form a V-shaped groove section as the recessed section, wherein the two wedge members (19a, 19b) are offset from each other in the width direction by a length that is an odd multiple of a half wavelength of a wave on the corrugated engagement section (<NUM>), and are disposed inward of ends of the cross beam (<NUM>) and the base beams (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) in the width direction.