Patent ID: 8511224

Claim:
A packing for holding a shaft that, in a state in which a rotation shaft is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the packing, rotatably holds the rotation shaft, wherein an inside of the insertion hole which faces the rotation shaft comprises: a sliding contact portion extending from an inner surface of the insertion hole along an axial direction of the rotation shaft and having a first surface that is in sliding contact with the rotation shaft, wherein the inner surface of the insertion hole and a second surface of the sliding contact portion define a clearance, an end of which in the axial direction is open, wherein part of the clearance extends over the second surface of the sliding contact portion, wherein an outer diameter of the sliding contact portion reduces as the sliding contact portion extends toward the end of the clearance, and wherein the clearance becomes smaller as the clearance extends toward an end of the clearance at which the clearance is open.