PARTITION AND PACKING MATERIAL THEREWITH

Abstract

A partition includes a rectangular bottom plate, first partition segments connected to first sides of the bottom plate opposite from each other, first and second folding lines, first slits formed, facing away from the bottom plate, in edges of the first partition segments, second partition segments connected to second sides perpendicular to the first sides of the bottom plate, third and fourth folding lines, and second slits formed, facing the bottom plate, in edges of the second partition segments. The first and the second partition segments are held erect on the bottom plate by bending the first partition segments perpendicularly along the first and second folding lines to make them erect in an L shape; bending the second partition segments perpendicularly along the third and the fourth folding lines to make the second partition segment erect in an L shape; and making the second slits engage with the first slits.

Claims

1. A partition comprising: a bottom plate in a rectangular shape having a pair of first sides opposite from each other and a pair of second sides perpendicular to the first sides; a pair of first partition segments arranged along the pair of first sides; a first folding line which extends from each of a pair of first vertexes of the bottom plate located on one diagonal position each other to an end point located on each of the pair of first sides and which connects the bottom plate and each of the pair of first partition segments together, a second folding line which extends perpendicularly to the first folding line from the end point of the first folding line to an outer edge of the first partition segment; a pair of first slits which are slit from the outer edge of each of the pair of first partition segments inward; a pair of second partition segments arranged along the pair of second sides; a third folding line which extends from each of a pair of second vertexes of the bottom plate located on another diagonal position each other to an end point on each of the pair of second sides and which connects the bottom plate and each of the pair of second partition segments together, a fourth folding line which extends perpendicularly to the third folding line from the end points of the third folding line to an inner edge of the second partition segments; and a pair of second slits which are slit from the inner edge of each of the pair of second partition segments outward, wherein the pair of first partition segments and the pair of second partition segments are held erect with respect to the bottom plate in an L shape as seen in a plan view by bending each of the pair of first partition segments perpendicularly along the first folding lines and the second folding lines to make the first partition segments erect in an L shape and to arrange each of the pair of first partition segments on the bottom plate, bending each of the pair of second partition segments perpendicularly along the third folding lines and the fourth folding lines to make the second partition segments erect in an L shape and to arrange each of the pair of second partition segments on the bottom plate perpendicularly to the pair of first partition segments, and making the pair of second slits engage with the pair of first slits each other.

2. The partition according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first slits and the pair of second slits have a tapered shape which is increasingly wide toward an open side.

3. The partition according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plate is square where the pair of first sides and the pair of second sides have an equal length, a dimension of each of the first partition segments from the second folding line to tip ends thereof and a dimension of each of the pair of second partition segments from the fourth folding line to tip ends thereof are equal to a length of the pair of first sides of the bottom plate, and a dimension of the pair of first partition segments and the pair of second partition segments in a width direction orthogonal to the pair of first sides is one-third of the length of the pair of first sides.

4. The partition according to claim 1, wherein lengths of compartments divided by the pair of first partition segments and the pair of second partition segments in a direction parallel to the pair of second partition segments are changeable by changing the length of the first folding lines and the positions of the pair of second slits.

5. The partition according to claim 1, wherein lengths of compartments divided by the pair of first partition segments and the pair of second partition segments in a direction parallel to the pair of first partition segments are changeable by changing the length of the third folding lines and the positions of the pair of first slits.

6. A packing material comprising: the partition according to claim 1; and an outer packing box in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the partition is arranged.

7. The packing material according to claim 6, wherein the corners of the pair of first partition segments and the pair of second partition segments which are located above the pair of first vertexes and the pair of second vertexes of the bottom plate are arranged so as to make contact with or close to upper four corners of the outer packing box.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a developed view of a partition according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a procedure for building the partition of the first embodiment, illustrating a state where first partition segments are bent upward perpendicularly along second folding lines;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the procedure for building the partition of the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the first partition segments are bent perpendicularly from the state in FIG. 2 along a first folding lines in such a direction as to overlap a bottom plate;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the procedure for building the partition of the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the first partition segments are bent upward perpendicularly from the state in FIG. 3 along fourth folding lines;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the procedure for building the partition of the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the second partition segments are bent perpendicularly from the state in FIG. 4 along third folding lines in such a direction as to overlap the bottom plate and second slits are engaged with first slits to complete the building;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the partition of the first embodiment is arranged in an outer packing box;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a developed view of a partition according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the building of the partition of the second embodiment is completed;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a developed view of a partition according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0016] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where the building of the partition of the third embodiment is completed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a developed view of a partition 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, cuts are indicated by solid lines, and folding lines are indicated by broken lines. The partition 1 is built by transforming one sheet material (for example, a cardboard sheet) punched out into a predetermined shape as shown in FIG. 1, and is generally composed of a bottom plate 2, first partition segments 3a and 3b, and second partition segments 4a and 4b, which are connected together via first to fourth folding lines L1 to L4.

[0018] The bottom plate 2 has a rectangular (square) shape. To first sides 2a (the left and right sides in FIG. 1) of the bottom plate 2 opposite from each other, the first partition segments 3a and 3b are connected via the first folding lines L1. To second sides 2b (the top and bottom sides in FIG. 1) of the bottom plate 2 perpendicular to the first sides 2a of the bottom plate 2, the second partition segments 4a and 4b are connected via the third folding lines L3. The bottom plate 2 has first vertices 2c on one diagonal across its center. The first folding line L1 extends from the first vertex 2c (a start point) to a position (an end point) at one third of the length of one side along the first side 2a. The bottom plate 2 has second vertices 2d on the other diagonal across its center. The third folding line L3 extends from the second vertex 2d (a start point) to a position (an end point) at one third of the length of one side along the second side 2b.

[0019] On the first partition segment 3a or 3b, the second folding line L2 is formed. The second folding line L2 extends from one end (the end point) of the first folding line L1 perpendicularly to the first folding line L1 to an outer edge 3a1, 3b1 of the first partition segment 3a or 3b. On each of the second partition segments 4a and 4b, the fourth folding line L4 is formed. The fourth folding line L4 extends from one end (the end point) of the second folding line L2 perpendicularly to the second folding line L2 to an inner edge 4a1, 4b1 of the second partition segment 4a or 4b. The dimension d1 of the first partition segment 3a or 3b from the second folding line L2 to the tip end and the dimension d2 of the second partition segment 4a or 4b from the fourth folding line L4 to the tip end are equal to the length of one side of the bottom plate 2. The dimensions w1 and w2 of the first partition segment 3a or 3b and the second partition segment 4a or 4b in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) are each approximately one third of the length of one side of the bottom plate 2.

[0020] In the outer edge (facing away from the bottom plate 2) of the first partition segment 3a or 3b, two first slits 5 which are open outward are formed. In the inner edge (facing the bottom plate 2) of the second partition segment 4a or 4b, two second slits 6 which are open inward are formed. The first slits 5 are formed at such positions as to divide the part of the first partition segment 3a or 3b from the second folding line L2 to the tip end into three parts, and the second slits 6 are formed at such positions as to divide the part of the second partition segment 4a or 4b from the fourth folding line L4 to the tip end into three parts. The lengths of the first slit 5 and the second slit 6 are substantially one-half of the dimensions w1 and w2 of the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b, respectively, in the width direction.

[0021] The opening 5a of the first slit 5 and the opening 6a of the second slit 6 have a tapered shape which is increasingly wide toward the open side.

[0022] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a procedure for building the partition 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the first partition segments 3a and 3b are, from the state in FIG. 1, bent upward perpendicularly along the second folding lines L2.

[0023] Next, from the state in FIG. 2, the first partition segments 3a and 3b are bent perpendicularly along the first folding lines L1 in such a direction as to overlap the bottom plate 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the first partition segments 3a and 3b are now erect on the top face of the bottom plate 2, with the openings 5a of the first slits 5 up, in an L shape as seen in a plan view, and the bottom plate 2 is divided into three regions by the first partition segments 3a and 3b.

[0024] Instead, from the state in FIG. 1, the first partition segments 3a and 3b may be first bent upward perpendicularly along the first folding lines L1 and then bent perpendicularly in such a direction as to overlap the bottom plate 2 along the second folding lines L2 to achieve the state in FIG. 3.

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the second partition segments 4a and 4b are, from the state in FIG. 3, bent upward perpendicularly along the fourth folding lines L4. Next, from the state in FIG. 4, the second partition segments 4a and 4b are bent perpendicularly in such a direction as to overlap the bottom plate 2 along the third folding lines L3. As a result, the second partition segments 4a and 4b intersect with the first partition segments 3a and 3b with the openings 6a of the second slits 6 down.

[0026] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, by inserting the second slits 6 (see FIG. 3) of the second partition segments 4a and 4b in the first slits 5 of the first partition segments 3a and 3b, the second partition segments 4a and 4b are held erect on the top face of the bottom plate 2 in an L shape as seen in a plan view. In this way, the partition 1 is built in which the bottom plate 2 are divided into nine compartments by the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b.

[0027] When articles are packed using the partition 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the partition 1 is arranged inside an outer packing box 100. Then, the articles (unillustrated) are put in the nine compartments divided by the side walls of the outer packing box 100 and the partition 1, and the outer packing box 100 is sealed to complete the packing of the articles.

[0028] The partition 1 of this embodiment is built by bending one sheet. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components of the partition 1 and to make it easier to build. In addition, the partition 1 is in the form of a sheet as shown in FIG. 1 before being built, and thus it is possible to stack a number of sheets. Thus, taking the stacked sheets from the top one down and assembling partitions 1 helps improve the efficiency of packing. In addition, storing them unbuilt helps reduce the space needed for their storage.

[0029] The partition 1 has, not only the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b, but also the bottom plate 2 integrated together, and thus no bottom plate (top segment) needs to be arranged between partitions 1 when a plurality of partitions 1 are used stacked on one another.

[0030] The first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b are bent in an L shape as seen in a plan view, and thus, compared with in conventional partitions in which partition segments in a rectangular strip shape are combined into a lattice, the compression strength of the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b is higher.

[0031] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the partition 1 is arranged inside the outer packing box 100, the corners 7a to 7d of the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b which overlap with the first vertexes 2c and the second vertexes 2d of the bottom plate 2 (see FIG. 1) are arranged so as to make contact with or close to the four corners of the outer packing box 100. This enhances the compression strength of the outer packing box 100 in the directions toward the side faces and toward the top face.

[0032] With the partition 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to form nine compartments and a bottom plate integrally by bending one sheet, and thus it is possible to reduce the number of components that form the partition 1. It is also possible to effectively prevent the partition 1 and the outer packing box 100 from collapsing during transportation and storage.

[0033] In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2 is square, and thus the length of the first partition segment 3a or 3b and the length of the second partition segment 4a or 4b are equal. By setting the width-direction dimension of the first partition segment 3a or 3b and the second partition segment 4a or 4b one-third of the length of one side of the bottom plate 2, the partition 1 before being built (a blank board) is, as shown in FIG. 1, substantially in a square shape. Thus, it s possible to reduce waste when a blank board is punched out of one raw sheet material, and this is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a developed view of a partition 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the length of the first folding line L1 which divides the bottom plate 2 from the first partition segment 3a or 3b is shorter than in the first embodiment, that is, shorter than one-third of the length of the first side 2a of the bottom plate 2. The second slits 6 are formed closer to the fourth folding line L4 and the tip end, respectively, of the second partition segment 4a or 4b in conformity with the folding position (the second folding line L2) of the first partition segment 3a or 3b. In other respect, the structure and the building procedure of the partition 1 here are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the completely built state of the partition 1 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, out of the nine compartments divided by the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b, three compartments in the row (middle row) between the first partition segments 3a and 3b are larger than the other compartments. In this way, by changing the length of the first folding line L1 and the positions of the second slits 6, the size of any compartments in the row direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 8, that is, the direction parallel to the second partition segments 4a and 4b) can be changed.

[0036] Here, by changing the length of the first folding line L1 and the positions of the second slits 6, the size of the compartments in the row direction (the vertical direction) is changed. Instead, by changing the length of the third folding line L3 and the positions of the first slits 5, the size of any compartments in the column direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 8, that is, the direction parallel to the first partition segments 3a and 3b) can be changed.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a developed view of a partition 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2 is rectangular, and thus the dimension d1 of the first partition segments 3a or 3b from the second folding line L2 of the first partition segment 3a or 3b to the tip end is substantially equal to the length of the second side 2b (longer side) of the bottom plate 2. The dimension d2 of the second partition segment 4a or 4b from the fourth folding line L4 of the second partition segment 4a or 4b to the tip end is substantially equal to the length of the first side 2a (shorter side) of the bottom plate 2. In other respect, the structure and the building procedure of the partition 1 here are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the completely built state of the partition 1 in the third embodiment. By making the bottom plate 2 rectangular as in this embodiment, it is possible to build a partition 1 which fits an outer packing box 100 with a rectangular bottom face.

[0039] The embodiments described above are in no way meant to limit the present disclosure, which thus allows for many modifications and variations within the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the partitions 1 described in the above embodiments are preferable examples, and the detailed structure of the partitions 1 such as the dimensions of the first partition segments 3a and 3b and the second partition segments 4a and 4b, and the length and positions of the first slits 5, the second slits 6, and the folding lines L1 to L4 can be changed according to the shape, size, and the like of the articles to be packed and the outer packing box 100.

[0040] The present disclosure is applicable to partitions formed by bending one sheet. Based on the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a partition which can be easily built by bending one sheet and which can form nine compartments without increasing the number of components, as well as to provide a packing material having such a partition.