BUFFER MATERIAL FOR PACKING

Abstract

A buffer material includes a first planar portion, a first buffer portion, and a second buffer portion. The first planar portion includes a first face that is flat, and an opening. The first buffer portion includes a first cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion has a cylindrical shape extending from an outer circumferential edge of the first planar portion, in a direction opposite thereto. The second buffer portion includes a second cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is located on an inner side of the first cylindrical portion of the first buffer portion, and has a cylindrical shape extending from an inner circumferential edge of the first planar portion, in a direction opposite thereto.

Claims

1. A buffer material comprising: a first planar portion includes a first face that is flat, and an opening; a first buffer portion including a first cylindrical portion, having a cylindrical shape extending from an outer circumferential edge of the first planar portion, in a direction opposite thereto; and a second buffer portion including a second cylindrical portion, located on an inner side of the first cylindrical portion of the first buffer portion, and having a cylindrical shape extending from an inner circumferential edge of the first planar portion, in a direction opposite thereto.

2. The buffer material according to claim 1, wherein a size of the first buffer portion along a direction of a perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, and a size of the second buffer portion along the direction of the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, are equal to each other.

3. The buffer material according to claim 2, wherein the first cylindrical portion is inclined by a first angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the first cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction away from the first planar portion, the second cylindrical portion is inclined by a second angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the second cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction toward the first planar portion, and the first angle and the second angle are equal to each other.

4. The buffer material according to claim 2, wherein the first cylindrical portion is inclined by a first angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the first cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction away from the first planar portion, the second cylindrical portion is inclined by a second angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the second cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction toward the first planar portion, and the first angle and the second angle are different from each other.

5. The buffer material according to claim 4, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.

6. The buffer material according to claim 4, wherein the second angle is larger than the first angle.

7. The buffer material according to claim 2, wherein a first thickness of the first cylindrical portion and a second thickness of the second cylindrical portion are equal to each other.

8. The buffer material according to claim 2, wherein a first thickness of the first cylindrical portion and a second thickness of the second cylindrical portion are different from each other.

9. The buffer material according to claim 8, wherein the second thickness is thinner than the first thickness.

10. The buffer material according to claim 8, wherein the first thickness is thinner than the second thickness.

11. The buffer material according to claim 1, wherein a length of the second buffer portion along a direction of a perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion is shorter than a length of the first buffer portion along the direction of the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion.

12. The buffer material according to claim 11, wherein the first cylindrical portion is inclined by a first angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the first cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction away from the first planar portion, the second cylindrical portion is inclined by a second angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the second cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction toward the first planar portion, and the first angle and the second angle are equal to each other.

13. The buffer material according to claim 11, wherein the first cylindrical portion is inclined by a first angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the first cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction away from the first planar portion, the second cylindrical portion is inclined by a second angle with respect to the perpendicular line to the first face of the first planar portion, such that a diameter of the second cylindrical portion becomes larger in a direction toward the first planar portion, and the first angle and the second angle are different from each other.

14. The buffer material according to claim 13, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.

15. The buffer material according to claim 13, wherein the second angle is larger than the first angle.

16. The buffer material according to claim 11, wherein a first thickness of the first cylindrical portion and a second thickness of the second cylindrical portion are equal to each other.

17. The buffer material according to claim 11, wherein a first thickness of the first cylindrical portion and a second thickness of the second cylindrical portion are different from each other.

18. The buffer material according to claim 17, wherein the second thickness is thinner than the first thickness.

19. The buffer material according to claim 17, wherein the first thickness is thinner than the second thickness.

20. The buffer material according to claim 1, wherein the first buffer portion further includes a flange portion extending from an end portion of the first cylindrical portion on an opposite side of the first planar portion, to an outer side and parallel to the first face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a buffer material according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the buffer material of FIG. 1A, seen from a different direction;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the buffer material shown in FIG. 1A;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the buffer material, taken along a line A-A in FIG. 2;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a packed object, packed in packing case units each including the buffer material of FIG. 1A fixed to a case main body;

[0012] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing one of the packing case units of FIG. 4;

[0013] FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the packing case unit of FIG. 5A, seen from a different direction;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the packing case unit shown in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 7 is an unfolded view of the case main body constituting the packing case unit of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 8A is a schematic drawing for explaining an exemplary operation process, performed by an operator to fix the buffer material to the case main body;

[0017] FIG. 8B is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8A, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material to the case main body;

[0018] FIG. 8C is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8B, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material to the case main body;

[0019] FIG. 8D is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8C, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material to the case main body;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the buffer material of FIG. 1A, fixed to the case main body of FIG. 7; and

[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a buffer material according to a second embodiment of the disclosure, including a perpendicular line passing the center of a first planar portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereafter, a buffer material according to some embodiments of the disclosure will be described, with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

[0023] The buffer material 1 according to a first embodiment of the disclosure will be described hereunder, with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Referring first to FIG. 1A to FIG. 3, the buffer material 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosure will be described. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the buffer material 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the buffer material 1 of FIG. 1A, seen from a different direction. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the buffer material 1 shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the buffer material 1, taken along a line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0025] The buffer material 1 is made from a pulp-molding material using a mold, through a pulp molding process. The buffer material 1 includes a first planar portion 11, a first buffer portion 12, and a second buffer portion 13.

[0026] The first planar portion 11 includes a first face which is flat, and an opening. In the first embodiment, the first planar portion 11 has an annular shape, having a circular opening formed at the central portion.

[0027] The first buffer portion 12 includes a first cylindrical portion 14 of a cylindrical shape extending from the outer circumferential edge of the first planar portion 11, in the direction opposite thereto, and a flange portion 15 extending outwardly from the end portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. In the first embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 14 has a circular cylindrical shape, and the flange portion 15 has an annular shape. The surface of the flange portion 15 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 is parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

[0028] The size of the first buffer portion 12 along the direction of a perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is denoted as h1. A first thickness of the first cylindrical portion 14 (distance between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the first cylindrical portion 14, along the direction of a perpendicular line to the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface) is denoted as t1, which is constant. In addition, the first cylindrical portion 14 is inclined by a first angle 1 with respect to the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, such that the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 becomes larger in the direction away from the first planar portion 11. The first angle 1 corresponds to the draft angle for drawing out the buffer material 1 from the mold, in the direction opposite to the first planar portion 11, to form the first cylindrical portion 14. The first angle 1 is, for example, 5 degrees. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 at the position most distant from the first planar portion 11, in other words the maximum diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14, is denoted as r1.

[0029] The second buffer portion 13 is formed on the inner side of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12, and includes a second cylindrical portion 16 having a cylindrical shape extending from the inner circumferential edge of the first planar portion 11, in the direction opposite thereto, and a second planar portion 17 extending inwardly from the end portion of the second cylindrical portion 16 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. In the first embodiment, the second cylindrical portion 16 has a circular cylindrical shape, and the second planar portion 17 has a circular shape. The surface of the second planar portion 17 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 is parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

[0030] The size of the second buffer portion 13 along the direction of the perpendicular line p1, passing a plane parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is denoted as h2. A second thickness of the second cylindrical portion 16 (distance between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the second cylindrical portion 16, along the direction of a perpendicular line to the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface) is denoted as t2, which is constant. In addition, the second cylindrical portion 16 is inclined by a second angle 2 with respect to the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, such that the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 16 becomes larger in the direction toward the first planar portion 11. The second angle 2 corresponds to the draft angle for drawing out the buffer material 1 from the mold in the direction ahead of the first planar portion 11, to form the second cylindrical portion 16. The second angle 2 is, for example, 5 degrees.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the size h1 of the first buffer portion 12, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, and the size h2 of the second buffer portion 13, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, are equal to each other (h1=h2). In other words, the end portion of the first buffer portion 12 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the flange portion 15 of the first buffer portion 12 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), and the end portion of the second buffer portion 13 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the second planar portion 17 of the second buffer portion 13 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), are located on an identical plane parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. With such a configuration, the first buffer portion 12 and the second buffer portion 13 are subjected to an impact load at the same time.

[0032] The first thickness t1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 and the second thickness t2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 are equal to each other (t1=t2).

[0033] The first angle 1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 and the second angle 2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 are equal to each other (1=2).

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the packed object 4, packed in packing case units 2, 3 each including the buffer material 1 of FIG. 1A, fixed to a case main body 2A, 3A. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the packing case unit 2 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the packing case unit 2 of FIG. 5A, seen from a different direction. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the packing case unit 2 shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] The packing case unit 2 includes the case main body 2A formed of a cardboard plate material, and the buffer material 1 formed of the pulp-molding material with the mold, through the pulp molding process, and attached to the case main body 2A. The packing case unit 3 includes the case main body 3A formed of the cardboard plate material, and the buffer material 1 formed of the pulp-molding material with the mold, through the pulp molding process, and attached to the case main body 3A. As shown in FIG. 4, the packing case unit 2 having the buffer material 1 attached to the case main body 2A, and the packing case unit 3 having the buffer material 1 attached to the case main body 3A, pack the object to be packed, for example a multifunction peripheral, so as to hold the object from the left and right sides.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 6, in the packing case unit 2, the buffer material 1 is attached to the case main body 2A, such that the first planar portion 11 of the buffer material 1 is located so as to make contact with the packed object 4. In the packing case unit 3, likewise, the buffer material 1 is attached to the case main body 3A, such that the first planar portion 11 of the buffer material 1 is located so as to make contact with the packed object 4.

[0037] In the packing case unit 2, 3, the buffer material 1 may be attached to the case main body 2A, 3A such that the flange portion 15 of the buffer material 1 is located on the side of the packed object 4.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 7, the case main body 2A, to which the buffer material 1 shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 3 is to be attached, will be described hereunder. FIG. 7 is an unfolded view of the case main body 2A, constituting the packing case unit 2 of FIG. 4.

[0039] The case main body 2A included in the packing case unit 2 is formed of a cardboard plate material, and more specifically, assembled by folding the cardboard plate material. The case main body 2A includes a main portion 20A, and buffer material fixing sections 100, 200, 300, and 400, formed in the main portion 20A to fix the buffer material 1. Since the basic fixing structure of the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A, via the buffer material fixing sections 100, 200, 300, and 400, is similar to each other, only the case of the buffer material fixing section 100 will be described, in the first embodiment. The case main body 3A included in the packing case unit 3 includes the main portion, and the buffer material fixing sections formed in the main portion to fix the buffer material 1, and the basic fixing structure of the buffer material 1 to the case main body 3A, via the buffer material fixing sections, is similar to the case of the buffer material fixing section 100 of the case main body 2A.

[0040] The buffer material fixing section 100 includes buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B formed so as to penetrate through the main portion 20A, and having a size corresponding to the maximum size r1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the buffer material 1, to allow the buffer material 1 to be inserted with the first planar portion 11 directed forward, until the surface of the flange portion 15 on the side of the first planar portion 11 is abutted against the main portion 20A. The buffer material fixing section 100 includes protrusions 102A and 102B, respectively protruding inwardly of the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B, from the inner edge thereof.

[0041] The buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B each have a circular shape in a plan view, and the diameter of the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B is larger than the maximum size r1 of the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the buffer material 1, and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 15.

[0042] Four each of the protrusions 102A and 102B are provided, such that the diameter of the circle connecting the distal end portions of the respective protrusions 102A and 102B is larger than the outer diameter of the first planar portion 11 of the annular shape in the buffer material 1, and smaller than the maximum size r1 of the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the buffer material 1.

[0043] By forming the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B, and the protrusions 102A and 102B in the mentioned sizes, when the buffer material 1 is inserted through the buffer material mounting hole 101A, 101B with the first planar portion 11 of the buffer material 1 directed forward, the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12 of the buffer material 1 is caught by the four protrusions 102A, 102B, and when the buffer material 1 is made to proceed further through the buffer material mounting hole 101A, 101B, the flange portion 15 of the buffer material 1 is abutted against the region of the main portion 20A around the buffer material mounting hole 101A, 101B. The four protrusions 102A, 102B serve to prevent the buffer material 1 from coming off.

[0044] The buffer material fixing section 100 includes a covering portion 103 having a part of the perimeter (folding line FL) connected to the main portion 20A, and the remaining part other than the folding line FL is separated from the main portion 20A. The covering portion 103 includes a main covering portion 104, to be set to cover at least a part of the surface of the flange portion 15 on the side of the first planar portion 11 and the opposite side, of the buffer material 1 inserted through the buffer material mounting hole 101A, 101B, with the covering portion 103 folded along the folding line FL, and fitting pieces 105 and 106, each extending outwardly from the main covering portion 104. The fitting pieces 105 and 106 are formed so as to be wider, in the direction away from the main covering portion 104.

[0045] The buffer material fixing section 100 includes fitting holes 107 and 108, penetrating through the main portion 20A, and in which the fitting pieces 105 and 106 of the covering portion 103 are to be respectively fitted. The fitting pieces 105 and 106 are folded along the boundary with the main covering portion 104, and then respectively fitted in the fitting holes 107 and 108.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D, an exemplary operation process, through which an operator fixes the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A, will be described hereunder. FIG. 8A is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A. FIG. 8B is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8A, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A. FIG. 8C is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8B, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A. FIG. 8D is a schematic drawing for explaining the exemplary operation process subsequent to FIG. 8C, performed by the operator to fix the buffer material 1 to the case main body 2A.

[0047] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are enlarged drawings of a region surrounded by dot lines a in the case main body 2A in FIG. 7. The operator attaches the buffer material 1 to the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B formed in the main portion 20A, by inserting, with respect to the main portion 20A set as shown in FIG. 8A, the buffer material 1 into the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B formed in the main portion 20A, with the first face 11 of the buffer material 1 directed forward, such that the first cylindrical portion 104 of the first buffer portion 102 makes contact with the protrusions 102A and 102B, and further pressing the buffer material 1 forward, until the surface of the flange portion 15 on the side of the first planar portion 11 is abutted against the main portion 20A. FIG. 8B illustrates the state where the buffer material 1 has been attached to each of the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B formed in the main portion 20A.

[0048] Upon attaching the buffer material 1 to the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B formed in the main portion 20A as shown in FIG. 8B, the operator folds the main covering portion 104 of the covering portion 103 along the folding line FL, so as to overlay the main covering portion 104, on at least a part of the surface of the flange portion 15 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, of the buffer material 1 inserted through the buffer material mounting holes 101A and 101B. FIG. 8C illustrates the state where the main covering portion 104 has been overlaid on at least a part of the surface of the flange portion 15 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, of the buffer material 1.

[0049] After the main covering portion 104 is overlaid on at least a part of the surface of the flange portion 15 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 of the buffer material 1, as shown in FIG. 8C, the operator folds the fitting pieces 105 and 106 of the covering portion 103, along the boundary with the main covering portion 104, and fits the fitting pieces 105 and 106 in the fitting holes 107 and 108, respectively. As result, the covering portion 103 maintains the folded posture. FIG. 8D illustrates the state where the fitting pieces 105 and 106 have been respectively fitted in the fitting holes 107 and 108. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of FIG. 8D.

[0050] The buffer material fixing section 100, of such a simple structure, can prevent the buffer material 1 from coming off from the buffer material mounting hole 101.

[0051] Forming the buffer material 1 in a double structure, including the first buffer portion 12 and the second buffer portion 13 provided on the inner side of the first buffer portion 12 as in the first embodiment, leads to improved buffering performance of the buffer material, per unit amount of the material and per unit footprint. Therefore, the buffer material 1, capable of providing a sufficient buffering effect against an expected impact load, can be formed in a smaller size, and the cost of the material for the buffer material 1 can be reduced. Further, the transport cost can also be reduced, because of the overall reduction in size of the buffer material 1 and the packing case units 2 and 3, containing therein the packed object 4.

[0052] The size h1 of the first buffer portion 12, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, and the size h2 of the second buffer portion 13, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, are equal to each other (h1=h2). In other words, the end portion of the first buffer portion 12 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the flange portion 15 of the first buffer portion 12 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), and the end portion of the second buffer portion 13 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the second planar portion 17 of the second buffer portion 13 on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), are located on an identical plane parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. With such a configuration, the first buffer portion 12 and the second buffer portion 13 of the buffer material 1 start to receive an impact load at the same time, and therefore the first buffer portion 12 and the second buffer portion 13 are less prone to be crushed. As result, the buffer material 1 of the smaller size provides a sufficient buffering effect, against a large impact load.

[0053] By varying the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 16 of the second buffer portion 13, the buffering performance of the buffer material 1 can be adjusted according to the mass and the impact resistance of the packed object 4, with the outer size of the buffer material 1 kept unchanged.

Second Embodiment

[0054] Hereafter, a buffer material 1A according to a second embodiment of the disclosure will be described, with reference to the drawings. In the buffer material 1 according to the first embodiment, the size h1 of the first buffer portion 12, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, and the size h2 of the second buffer portion 13, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, are equal to each other (h1=h2). In contrast, in the buffer material 1A according to the second embodiment, the size h2A of a second buffer portion 13A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is smaller than the size h1A of a first buffer portion 12A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11 (h1A>h2A). In the description of the second embodiment, the same elements as those of the first embodiment are given the same numeral, and the description of such elements will not be repeated.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 10, the configuration of the buffer material 1A according to the second embodiment of the disclosure will be described hereunder. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the buffer material 1A according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. To be more specific, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the buffer material 1A, taken along a plane including the perpendicular line p1 passing the center of the first planar portion 11.

[0056] The buffer material 1A is made from a pulp-molding material using a mold, through a pulp molding process. The buffer material 1A includes the first planar portion 11, the first buffer portion 12A, and the second buffer portion 13A.

[0057] The first buffer portion 12A includes a first cylindrical portion 14A of a cylindrical shape extending from the outer circumferential edge of the first planar portion 11, in the direction opposite thereto, and a flange portion 15A extending outwardly from the end portion of the first cylindrical portion 14A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. In the second embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 14A has a circular cylindrical shape, and the flange portion 15A has an annular shape. The surface of the flange portion 15A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 is parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

[0058] The size of the first buffer portion 12A along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is denoted as h1A. A first thickness of the first cylindrical portion 14A (distance between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the first cylindrical portion 14A, along the direction of a perpendicular line to the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface) is denoted as t1A, which is constant. In addition, the first cylindrical portion 14A is inclined by a first angle 1A with respect to the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, such that the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14A becomes larger in the direction away from the first planar portion 11. The first angle 1A corresponds to the draft angle for drawing out the buffer material 1A from the mold, in the direction opposite to the first planar portion 11, to form the first cylindrical portion 14A. The first angle 1A is, for example, 5 degrees. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14A at the position most distant from the first planar portion 11, in other words the maximum diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14A, is denoted as r1A.

[0059] The second buffer portion 13A is formed on the inner side of the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, and includes a second cylindrical portion 16A having a cylindrical shape extending from the inner circumferential edge of the first planar portion 11, in the direction opposite thereto, and a second planar portion 17A extending inwardly from the end portion of the second cylindrical portion 16A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11, parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. In the second embodiment, the second cylindrical portion 16A has a circular cylindrical shape, and the second planar portion 17A has a circular shape. The surface of the second planar portion 17A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 is parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

[0060] The size of the second buffer portion 13A along the direction of the perpendicular line p1, passing a plane parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is denoted as h2A. A second thickness of the second cylindrical portion 16A (distance between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the second cylindrical portion 16A, along the direction of a perpendicular line to the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface) is denoted as t2A, which is constant. In addition, the second cylindrical portion 16A is inclined by a second angle 2A with respect to the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, such that the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 16A becomes larger in the direction away from the first planar portion 11. The second angle 2A corresponds to the draft angle for drawing out the buffer material 1A from the mold in the direction ahead of the first planar portion 11, to form the second cylindrical portion 16A. The second angle 2A is, for example, 5 degrees.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the size h2A of the second buffer portion 13A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is smaller than the size h1A of the first buffer portion 12A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11 (h1A>h2A). In other words, the end portion of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the flange portion 15A of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), and the end portion of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the second planar portion 17A of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11), are located on different planes, both of which are parallel to the first face of the first planar portion 11. To be more specific, the plane on which the end portion of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the second planar portion 17A of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11) is located, is closer to the first planar portion 11, than is the plane on which the end portion of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the flange portion 15A of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11) is located. With such a configuration, the first buffer portion 12A is subjected to the impact load first, and thereafter the second buffer portion 13A is subjected to the impact load.

[0062] The first thickness t1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A and the second thickness t2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A are equal to each other (t1A=t2A).

[0063] The first angle 1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A and the second angle 2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A are equal to each other (1A=2A).

[0064] According to the second embodiment, the size h2A of the second buffer portion 13A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, is smaller than the size h1A of the first buffer portion 12A, along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11 (h1A>h2A). In other words, the plane on which the end portion of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the second planar portion 17A of the second buffer portion 13A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11) is located, is closer to the first planar portion 11, than is the plane on which the end portion of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11 (surface of the flange portion 15A of the first buffer portion 12A on the opposite side of the first planar portion 11) is located. With such a configuration, the first buffer portion 12A, still undamaged, is subjected to the impact load first, and absorbs the impact by being crushed. As the damage to the first buffer portion 12A spreads, the second buffer portion 13A, still undamaged, is subjected to the impact load, and absorbs the impact by being crushed. By thus absorbing the impact with the first buffer portion 12A, and then with the second buffer portion 13A, the buffer material 1A, which is small in size along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, can provide a sufficient buffering effect against a large impact load, to suppress the impact load imposed on the packed object.

[0065] By varying the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, and the size h2A of the second buffer portion 13A along the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11, the buffering performance of the buffer material 1 can be adjusted, according to the mass and the impact resistance of the packed object 4, with the outer size of the buffer material 1 kept unchanged.

First Variation of First and Second Embodiments

[0066] According to the first embodiment, the first angle 1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12, and the second angle 2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 of the second buffer portion 13, are the same (1=2). According to a first variation of the first embodiment, instead, the first angle 1 and the second angle 2 are different from each other (12). When the first angle 1 and the second angle 2 are set to be different from each other (12), the first angle 1 may be made larger than the second angle 2 (1>2), or the second angle 2 may be made larger than the first angle 1 (2>1). The smaller the first and second angles 1, 2 are, the less prone to be crushed by the impact load, the first and second cylindrical portions 14, 16 of the first and second buffer portions 12, 13 become. Therefore, various types of buffer material 1, different from each other in buffering performance, can be prepared, to cope with the impact load of different levels.

[0067] According to the second embodiment, the first angle 1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, and the second angle 2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, are the same (1A=2A). According to the first variation of the second embodiment, instead, the first angle 1A and the second angle 2A are different from each other (1A2A). When the first angle 1A and the second angle 2A are set to be different from each other (1A2A), the first angle 1A may be made larger than the second angle 2A (1A>2A), or the second angle 2A may be made larger than the first angle 1A (2A>1A). The smaller the first and second angles 1A, 2A are, the less prone to be crushed by the impact load, the first and second cylindrical portions 14, 16 of the first and second buffer portions 12, 13 become. Therefore, the buffering performance of the first and second buffer portions 12A, 13A can be adjusted in finer increments.

[0068] For example, when the first angle 1A is made larger than the second angle 2A (1A>2A), the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A is more prone to be crushed by the impact load, than the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A. Since the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, which is subjected to the impact load first, is more prone to be crushed, the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A attenuates the impact load by a small attenuation amount, while suppressing the impact load imposed on the packed object. Since the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, which is subjected to the impact load later, is less prone to be crushed, the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A can attenuate the impact load by a large attenuation amount, thereby coping with the impact load, with slight deformation in the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

Second Variation of First and Second Embodiments

[0069] According to the first embodiment, the first thickness t1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12, and the second thickness t2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 of the second buffer portion 13, are the same (t1=t2). According to a second variation of the first embodiment, instead, the first thickness t1 and the second thickness t2 are different from each other (t1t2). When the first thickness t1 and the second thickness t2 are set to be different from each other (t1t2), the first thickness t1 may be made thinner than the second thickness t2 (t1<t2), or the second thickness t2 may be made thinner than the first thickness t1 (t2<t1). The thicker the first and second thicknesses t1, t2 are, the less prone to be crushed by the impact load, the first and second cylindrical portions 14, 16 of the first and second buffer portions 12, 13 become. Therefore, various types of buffer material 1, different from each other in buffering performance, can be prepared, to cope with the impact load of different levels.

[0070] According to the second embodiment, the first thickness t1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, and the second thickness t2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, are the same (t1A=t2A). According to a second variation of the first embodiment, instead, the first thickness t1A and the second thickness t2A are different from each other (t1At2A). When the first thickness t1A and the second thickness t2A are set to be different from each other (t1At2A), the first thickness t1A may be made thinner than the second thickness t2A (t1A<t2A), or the second thickness t2A may be made thinner than the first thickness t1A (t2A<t1A). The thicker the first and second thicknesses t1A, t2A are, the less prone to be crushed by the impact load, the first and second cylindrical portions 14A, 16A of the first and second buffer portions 12A, 13A become. Therefore, the buffering performance of the first and second buffer portions 12A, 13A can be adjusted in finer increments.

[0071] For example, when the first thickness t1A is made thinner than the second thickness t2A (t1A<t2A), the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A is more prone to be crushed by the impact load, than the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A. Since the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, which is subjected to the impact load first, is more prone to be crushed, the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A attenuates the impact load by a small attenuation amount, while suppressing the impact load imposed on the packed object. Since the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, which is subjected to the impact load later, is less prone to be crushed, the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A can attenuate the impact load by a large attenuation amount, thereby coping with the impact load, with slight deformation in the direction of the perpendicular line p1 to the first face of the first planar portion 11.

Other Variations

[0072] According to the first embodiment, the first angle 1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12, and the second angle 2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 of the second buffer portion 13, are the same (1=2), and the first thickness t1 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the first buffer portion 12, and the second thickness t2 of the second cylindrical portion 16 of the second buffer portion 13, are the same (t1=t2). Instead, the first angle 1 and the second angle 2 may be different from each other (12), and the first thickness t1 and the second thickness t2 may be different from each other (t1/t2). Examples of the combination of the values in such cases include (1) 1>2 and t1<t2, (2) 1>2 and t1>t2, (3) 1<2 and t1<t2, and (4) 1<2 and t1>t2.

[0073] According to the second embodiment, the first angle 1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, and the second angle 2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, are the same (1A=2A), and the first thickness t1A of the first cylindrical portion 14A of the first buffer portion 12A, and the second thickness t2A of the second cylindrical portion 16A of the second buffer portion 13A, are the same (t1A=t2A). Instead, the first angle 1A and the second angle 2A may be different from each other (1A2A), and the first thickness t1A and the second thickness t2A may be different from each other (t1At2A). Examples of the combination of the values in such cases include (1) 1A>2A and t1A<t2A, (2) 1A>2A and t1A>t2A, (3) 1A<2A and t1A<t2A, and (4) 1A<2A and t1A>t2A.

[0074] The buffer material for packing is integrally formed through the pulp molding process, and includes a plurality of projections to be abutted against the packed object, when the packing is done. The tip portion of the projection is convexly curved in a semispherical shape, and includes an opening on one side that is cut away in a vertical direction. The buffer material formed in such a shape can provide a desired buffering effect, against a single impact load. However, the projection is prone to be deformed by the impact, and therefore the size of the projection has to be increased, to achieve the buffering effect against a large impact. The foregoing embodiments and the foregoing variations enable to improve the buffering performance of the buffer material, per unit amount of the material and per unit footprint.

[0075] The disclosure may be modified in various manners, without limitation to the configuration according to the foregoing embodiments and the foregoing variations. Further, the configurations described in the first embodiments with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, the configurations described in the second embodiments with reference to FIG. 10 and the configurations described in the variations are merely exemplary, and in no way intended to limit the disclosure to those configurations.

[0076] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope defined by the appended claims.