U.S. patent application number 12/562356 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for packing material.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takeshi Narita, Tai ji Watanabe.
Application Number | 20100072103 12/562356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41559585 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100072103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe; Tai ji ; et
al. |
March 25, 2010 |
PACKING MATERIAL
Abstract
A packing member for packing an article, the packing member
includes a medium accommodating portion accommodating medium; a
non-return valve for passing the medium toward the medium
accommodating portion along a longitudinal direction of the medium
accommodating portion and for stopping the medium in an opposite
direction away from the medium accommodating portion; and a flow
path, formed by welding the non-return valve to the medium
accommodating portion, for passing the medium, the flow path
including a reference flow path portion extending in the
longitudinal direction and an expanding flow path portion having a
width larger than that of the reference flow path portion.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Tai ji;
(Toride-shi, JP) ; Narita; Takeshi; (Toride-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
1290 Avenue of the Americas
NEW YORK
NY
10104-3800
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41559585 |
Appl. No.: |
12/562356 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/522 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2581/055 20130101;
B65D 81/052 20130101; B65D 81/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/522 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/03 20060101
B65D081/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2008 |
JP |
2008-241019 |
Claims
1. A packing member for packing an article, said packing member
comprising: a medium accommodating portion accommodating medium; a
non-return valve for passing the medium toward said medium
accommodating portion along a longitudinal direction of said medium
accommodating portion and for stopping the medium in an opposite
direction away from said medium accommodating portion; and a flow
path, formed by welding said non-return valve to said medium
accommodating portion, for passing the medium, said flow path
including a reference flow path portion extending in the
longitudinal direction and an expanded flow path portion having a
width larger than that of said reference flow path portion.
2. A packing member according to claim 1, further comprising a
regulating portion which is provided downstream of said flow path
with respect to a flow direction toward said medium accommodating
portion and which is formed by welding said non-return valve to
said medium accommodating portion, said regulating portion having a
width larger than that of said reference flow path portion, said
regulating portion being effective to change a flow direction of
the medium having passed through said flow path to a widthwise
direction of said medium accommodating portion.
3. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein said non-return
valve includes two flexible sheets and welded to said medium
accommodating portion, and the medium is flowable between said two
sheets.
4. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein said non-return
valve includes one flexible sheet welded to said medium
accommodating portion, and the medium is flowable between said
flexible sheet and said medium accommodating portion.
5. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
such said expanded flow path portions arranged in a direction
crossing with the longitudinal direction in said flow path.
6. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
such said expanded flow path portions arranged in the longitudinal
direction in said flow path.
7. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
such flow paths are arranged in a direction crossing with the
longitudinal direction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material for
wrapping an object for shipment. More specifically, it relates to a
packaging material having a check valve which allows cushioning
medium to flow into the cushioning medium storage portions of the
packaging material, but prevents the cushioning medium from flowing
backward from the cushioning medium storage portions.
[0002] There have been designed various packaging materials, the
cushioning medium storage portions of which are formed by welding
together two or more flexible sheets. There have also been designed
various check valves for these packaging materials. Some of these
check valves are designed so that they allow the cushioning medium
to flow into the cushioning medium storage portions, but, do not
allow the cushioning medium to flow backward from the cushioning
medium storage portions. (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application
H11-216784).
[0003] The conventional check valves, such as those described
above, are provided with a means for making complicated or narrow
the passage, or passages, of the check valve to prevent the
cushioning medium from flowing backward from the cushioning medium
storage portion. Thus, these check valves are problematic in that
they are low in the efficiency with which the cushioning medium is
injected into the cushioning medium storage portions. As one of the
means for preventing the provision of a check valve from losing the
efficiency is to increase a check valve in size, and also, to
increase in length. This means is problematic in that the
employment of this means results in increase in the amount of the
check valve material, which results in increase in the check valve
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to
provide a process cartridge packaging material, which is different
from conventional process cartridge packaging materials in the
pattern in which a check valve is welded to each of its cushioning
medium storage portions, and also, is superior to conventional
process cartridge packaging materials, in the efficiency with which
cushioning medium can be injected into the cushioning medium
storage portions.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a packing member for packing an article, said packing
member includes a medium accommodating portion accommodating
medium; a non-return valve for passing the medium toward said
medium accommodating portion along a longitudinal direction of said
medium accommodating portion and for stopping the medium in an
opposite direction away from said medium accommodating portion; and
a flow path, formed by welding said non-return valve to said medium
accommodating portion, for passing the medium, said flow path
including a reference flow path portion extending in the
longitudinal direction and an expanded flow path portion having a
width larger than that of said reference flow path portion.
[0006] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of
the following description of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan of a piece of packaging material in the
first preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of
the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan of one of the cushioning units of the
packaging material in the first preferred embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan of the cushioning medium passage of one of
the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first
preferred embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium
storage portions of the packaging material in the first preferred
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium
storage portions of a comparative packaging material.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roll of packaging material
in the first preferred embodiment, which is on a metallic rod
K2.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a folded piece of packaging
material in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for
wrapping a cartridge with the packaging material.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a plan of the folded piece of packaging material
in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for wrapping
a cartridge with the packaging material.
[0016] FIG. 10 is perspective view of the folded piece of packaging
material in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for
wrapping a cartridge with the packaging material.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a plan of one of the cushioning units of the
packaging material in the first preferred embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units
of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium
storage portions of the packaging material in the first preferred
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium
storage portions of the comparative packaging material.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a plan of one of the cushioning medium storage
portions of the packaging material in the third preferred
embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a plan of the cushioning medium passage of one of
the cushioning units of the packaging material in the third
preferred embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a plan of the packaging portion proper of the
packaging material in the fourth preferred embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units
of the packaging material in the fourth preferred embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium
storage portion of one of the cushioning units of the packaging
material in the fourth preferred embodiment.
[0026] FIGS. 20(a)-20(c) are plans of the cushioning medium passage
of the check valve of the cushioning units of the packaging
material in the fifth preferred embodiment.
[0027] FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) are plans of the cushioning medium
passage of the check valve of one of the cushioning units of the
packaging material in the fifth preferred embodiment.
[0028] FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b) are plans of the cushioning medium
passage of the check valve of one of the cushioning units of the
packaging material in the fifth embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the sealed packaging
material in accordance with the present invention, which contains a
cartridge.
[0030] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the sealed packaging
material in accordance with the present invention, which contains a
cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
Packaging Material Structure
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a packaging material S1 in this
embodiment is made up of two pieces 1 and 2 of flexible plastic
film, which are thermally welded in layers. The areas 6, 8, and 9
are the areas of the two films 1 and 2, by which the two films 1
and 2 are welded. The packaging material S1 has multiple cushioning
medium storage portions 3, which are placed side by side. Each
cushioning medium storage portion 3 is enabled to store cushioning
medium, which in this embodiment is air. It is formed by welding
the two flexible films 1 and 2 (which hereafter will be referred to
simply as films 1 and 2) across the welding areas 8, 6, and 9. It
is rectangular, with its longer edges being substantially longer
than its shorter edges. Further, each cushioning medium storage
portion 3 is separated from the next cushioning medium storage
portions by the welding areas 9. One of the lengthwise ends of the
packaging material S1 is provided with multiple cushioning medium
entrances 5 for guiding the external air into each of the multiple
cushioning medium storage portions 3 to inflate the cushioning
medium storage portions 3. Further, the outward end of each of the
cushioning medium (air) entrance 5 is provided with an air
injection opening 11. Each air entrance 5 is separated from the
next ones by the welding areas 7. The welding areas 9 are roughly
parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium
storage portion 3, whereas the welding areas 6 and 8 extend in the
direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion 3. The welding area 6 is on the
opposite lengthwise end of the packaging material S1 from where the
abovementioned air entrances 5 are present. The films 1 and 2 in
this embodiment are flexible, and have three layers. That is, each
film is formed by sandwiching a Nylon layer with polyethylene and
polypropylene layers. The Nylon layer is very difficult for the
cushioning medium to flow through, whereas the polyethylene and
polypropylene layers are easy to thermally weld together.
[0032] The first lengthwise end of each cushioning medium storage
portion 3 is provided with a check valve 4, which is positioned
across the border between the cushioning medium storage portion 3
and the corresponding cushioning medium entrance 5. This check
valve 4 is for allowing the air to pass only in the direction to
enter the cushioning medium storage portion 3. That is, once the
air is introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3, the
check valve 4 utilizes the air pressure in the cushioning medium
storage portion 3 to prevent the air in the cushioning medium
storage portion 3 from flowing backward, that is, toward the air
entrance 5, as shown in FIG. 2, which is a sectional view of one of
the cushioning units of the packaging material S1, at Line B-B in
FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the combination of
the cushioning medium storage portion 3 and corresponding air
entrance 5.
[0033] The details of the structure of the check valve 4 are as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The check valve 4 is manufactured through
the following steps. To the film 2, the top and bottom check valves
4a and 4b are thermally welded in advance by the welding areas
12a-12c. Incidentally, the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b
are also formed of plastic film.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the films 1 and 2 are
welded to each other to form the packaging material S1, the top
check valve 4a is attached to the air entrance portion (5) of the
film 1 by the welding area 10, whereas the bottom check valve 4b is
attached to the film 2 by the welding area 10. The top check valve
4a is provided with a seal portion 4a1, which is coated or printed
on the top check valve 4a. The seal portion 4a1 is formed of a
material which does not melt at the temperature level at which the
two films 1 and 2 are welded across the welding areas 8 and 10.
Therefore, even if heat is applied to the films 1 and 2 across the
welding area 10, it does not occur that the top and bottom check
valves 4a and 4b become welded to each other. Further, even in the
welding areas 8, which is the border area between the air entrance
5 and cushioning medium storage portion 3, the portions of the top
and bottom check valves 4a and 4b, across which the sealing portion
4a1 is present, do not become welded to each other. Therefore, an
air passage P1, which allows the external air to enter the
cushioning medium storage portion 3 through the air entrance 5,
remains secured. Incidentally, the sealing portion 4a1 may be
coated or printed on the bottom check valve 4b instead of the top
check valve 4a. Even if the sealing portion 4a1 is attached to the
bottom check valve 4b, its functions and performance remains the
same.
[0035] The lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage
portion 3 is roughly the same as the direction in which the air
passes through the check valve 4, enabling therefore the air to be
efficiently introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion
3.
[0036] Next, referring to FIG. 1, the width W1 of each of the air
injection openings 11 is narrower than the width W2 of the border
area (connective area) between the cushioning medium storage
portion 3 and air entrance 5. Further, the multiple air injection
openings 11 are positioned so that there is virtually no gap
between the adjacent two air injection openings 11, making it
possible to reduce in size the air injecting portion of an air
injecting apparatus (unshown) for injecting the air into all the
air injection openings 11 at the same time. Further, the direction
in which the cushioning medium passes through the check valve 4
toward the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is made roughly the
same as the direction in which the cushioning medium is introduced
through the air injection openings. Therefore, the air is
efficiently introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion
3. Further, because of the above-described structural arrangement,
the welding area 7 between the adjacent two air injection openings
11 is tilted, relative to the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion, from the border area between the
cushioning medium storage portion 3 and the corresponding air
entrance 5 toward the central air injection opening 11.
[0037] (Detailed Description of Check Valve Structure)
[0038] Here, the welding areas 12a-12c, across which the top and
bottom check valves 4a and 4b are thermally welded to the film 2
will be described regarding their shapes.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, a cushioning medium (air) passage 20
for introducing air into the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is
formed by thermally welding the top and bottom check valves 4a and
4b to the film 2 across the welding areas 12a-12c. Obviously, the
width of the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is less than the
width of the check valves 4a and 4b. Referring to FIG. 5, the
cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is formed between the top and
bottom check valves 4a and 4b, and it is also obvious that the
width of the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is less than that
of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. That is, as air passes
through the cushioning medium (air) passage 20, the top check valve
4a becomes shaped as drawn with double-dot chain lines in FIG. 5,
which is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units,
at Plane A-A in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the cushioning medium
(air) passage 20 has a primary portion 20c, and wide portions 20a
and 20b. The wide portions 20a and 20b extend from the primary
portion 20c in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise
direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
[0040] The primary portion 20c of the cushioning medium passage 20
is formed in the direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of
the cushioning medium storage portion 30. It is the cushioning
medium passage for guiding air in the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion, and is less in width than the
check valves 4a and 4b. It is formed by the welded areas 12a1,
12a2, 12a6, and 12a10, and welding areas 12b1, 12b2, 12b6, and
12b10, respectively. Further, the wide portions 20a are formed of
the portions 12a3-12a5, and portions 12a7-12a9, of the welded
portion 12a, which extend in the direction intersectional to the
lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
Further, the wide portions 20b are formed of the portions
12a3-12b5, and portions 12b7-12b9, of the welded portion 12b, which
extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction
of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. The presence of these
wide portions 20a and 20b ensures that the check valves 4a and 4b
remain airtightly in contact with each other even after the
entering of air into the cushioning medium storage portion 3,
preventing thereby the air from flowing backward.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium
storage portion 103 of a comparative packaging material, the
cushioning medium passage of which does not have the wide portions.
As the cushioning medium storage portion 103 is filled with air,
the films 101 and 102 become arcuate in such a manner that the
films 102 and 101 are smallest and largest, respectively, in
curvature, as shown in FIG. 6. However, the top and bottom valves
104a and 104b are welded in advance while the film 102 is flat, as
described above. Thus, as the cushioning medium storage portion 3
is filled with air, the portions 104a1 and 104b1 of the top and
bottom check valves 104a and 104b, respectively, are made loose
from the film 102 and bend inward of the cushioning medium storage
portion 3. As a result, the state of contact between the top and
bottom check valves 104a and 104b becomes less airtight.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, in order to prevent the occurrence of
the above-described problem, the packaging material in this
embodiment is provided with welded portions 12a3, 12a5, 12a7, 12a9,
12b3, 12b5, 12b7, and 12b9. The provision of the abovementioned
welded portions, which extend in the direction intersectional to
the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3
generates such a force that works in the direction intersectional
to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage 3,
that is, the direction to extend the top and bottom check valves 4a
and 4b in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction
of the cushioning medium storage 3. Therefore, the top and bottom
check valves 4a and 4b are not made loose like the portions 104a1
and 104b1 of the top and bottom check valves 104a and 104b of the
comparative packaging material (FIG. 6) as shown in FIG. 5.
Therefore, it is ensured that the top and bottom check valves 4a
and 4b remain airtightly in contact with each other. In this
embodiment, the cushioning medium passage 20 is provided with two
wide portions 20a and 20b on each side of the primary portion 20c.
However, the wide portion count on each side may be only one.
Further, there is a regulating portion 12c on the downstream side
of the outlet 20c1 of the primary portion 20c of the cushioning
medium passage 20. The regulating portion 12c turns the air low so
that the air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioning
medium storage portion 3. It is also formed by welding in advance
the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b to the film 2. The
regulating portion 12c, which is formed by welding, also extends in
the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion 3. Therefore, it also functions
to ensure that the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b remain
airtightly in contact with each other. With the regulating portion
12c being structured as described above, as the external introduced
through the air entrance 5 is smoothly filled into the cushioning
medium storage portion 3; the provision of the regulating portion
12c does not interfere with the efficiency with which the external
air is introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
Further, since the regulating portion 12c changes the direction of
the air flow on the downstream side of the outlet 20c1 of the
primary portion 20c of the cushioning medium passage 20 so that the
air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium
storage portion 30, it improves the check valves 4 in terms of the
prevention of the back flow of the air from the cushioning medium
storage portion 3.
[0043] (Method for Wrapping Cartridge with Packaging Material)
[0044] Hereafter, referring to FIGS. 7-13, the method for wrapping
a process cartridge, which is removably mountable in the main
assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, with
the packaging material S will be described. Here, an
electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus for
forming an image on recording medium, with the use of an
electrophotographic image forming method. The examples of an
electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an
electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer
(laser beam printer, LED printer, etc., for example), a facsimile
apparatus, a wordprocessor, etc. A process cartridge is a cartridge
in which at least one processing means among a charging means, a
developing means, and a cleaning means, and an electrophotographic
photosensitive member, are integrally disposed, and which is
removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming
apparatus.
[0045] (1) Separation of Packaging Material S1 from Roll of
Packaging Material S by Cutting
[0046] The packaging material S1, that is, a piece of packaging
material S, which is wide enough to completely wrap (package) a
process cartridge 35 (which will be described later), is cut away
from a long roll of packaging material S, which is made up of
multiple packaging units having the above described cushioning
medium storage portion, check valve 4, and cushioning medium (air)
entrance 5. In the case of the packaging material S in this
embodiment, a pair of scissors K1 is used to cut the packaging
material S to obtain the packaging material S1 with a proper width.
However, a cutter, or a cutting apparatus dedicated to the cutting
of the packaging material S, may be used to cut the packaging
material S. There is a metallic rod K2 in the center of the roll of
packaging material S, making it easier to unroll the roll of
packaging material S by a necessary length, and also, to cut the
packaging material S. Moreover, the presence of the metallic rod K2
makes it easier to set the roll of packaging material S in a preset
position of the automatic cutting machine or the like, to cut the
packaging material S.
[0047] (2) Processing of Packaging Material S1 into Pouch (FIGS.
8-10)
[0048] After the Cutting of the Packaging Material S1 away from the
roll of the packaging material S, the packaging material S1 is
folded in half roughly at the center line in terms of the
lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 so
that the rear end portion 53 of the cushioning medium storage
portion 3, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cushioning
medium storage portion 3, is placed in the position shown in FIG.
8.
[0049] Then, the top and bottom layers of the folded packaging
material S1 are thermally welded together along both edges (welding
areas 12 and 13) in terms of the direction perpendicular to the
lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, as
shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the packaging material S1 becomes a
pouch, which is open at one of its lengthwise ends. The welding
areas 12 and 13 extend in the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion 3.
[0050] (3) Insertion of Cartridge 35 (Object to be Packaged) into
Pouch Made of Packaging Material S1 (FIG. 10)
[0051] Referring to FIG. 10, the cartridge 35, which is the object
to be packaged, is to be inserted into the pouch through an opening
with which one of the lengthwise end of the pouch is provided. That
is, the cartridge 35 is inserted so that its lengthwise direction
matches the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage
portion 3.
[0052] Then, the opening 18 is sealed by thermally welding the top
and bottom layers of the packaging material S1 across the welding
area 14, as shown in FIG. 23, to prevent the cartridge 35 from
popping out of the pouch during the cartridge shipment. The
location of the welding area 14 is to be selected so that its
position overlaps with the sealing portion 4a1, which was described
referring to FIG. 2. Welding the top and bottom layers of the
packaging material S1 so that the welding seam runs across the
sealing portion 4a1 makes it possible to inject the cushioning
medium into the cushioning medium storage portion 3 even after the
closing of the opening 18.
[0053] (4) Injection of Cushioning Medium (FIG. 9)
[0054] Thereafter, the air, which is the cushioning medium in this
embodiment, is to be injected into all the cushioning medium
storage portions 3 through the cushioning medium injection openings
11 of the cushioning medium (air) entrances 5; the air is
introduced into each of the cushioning medium storage portions 3
through the corresponding check valve 4. The reason why the air is
introduced after the placement of the cartridge 35 in the pouch
made of the packaging material S1 is that the air introduction into
each cushioning medium storage portion 3 inflates the cushioning
medium storage portion 3, which in turn reduces the pouch in
internal measurements, which in turn makes it virtually impossible
to insert the cartridge 35 into the pouch. In other words, by
injecting the air into the cushioning medium storage portions 3
after the insertion of the cartridge 35 into the pouch, the
cartridge 35 is securely held in the pouch. Incidentally, in this
embodiment, it is air that is introduced as the cushioning medium
into the cushioning medium storage portions 3. However, the
cushioning medium selection does not need to be limited to the air.
That is, the cushioning medium may be nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or
the like. Nitrogen gas may be a good choice because nitrogen is
large in molecular weight, being therefore unlikely to leak from
the cushioning medium storage portion 3, which is made of plastic
film or the like. Further, the cushioning medium may be a liquid or
a fluid substance other than gaseous substances.
[0055] Next, referring to FIG. 24, lastly, the cushioning medium
(air) entrances 5 and cushioning medium storage portions 3 are to
be completely sealed by welding shut the cushioning medium
injection opening 11 (FIGS. 11 and 19) across the welding area
15.
Embodiment 2
Packaging Material Structure
[0056] In the first preferred embodiment, the check valve 4 had two
portions, that is, the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b. In
this embodiment, however, the check valve 4 has only one valve
4d.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of
packaging material S1, as seen from the direction perpendicular to
the lengthwise direction of the unit. It shows the central
cushioning medium entrance 5 and corresponding cushioning medium
storage portion 3. FIG. 12 is a sectional view of one of the
multiple cushioning units of packaging material S1, shown in FIG.
11, at Plane C-C in FIG. 11, after the introduction of the air into
the unit.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 11, the film 2 has the check valve 4d,
which was welded in advance to the film 2 by thermally melting the
film 2 across welding areas 12a-12c.
[0059] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, when the
films 1 and 2 are welded to each other to create the packaging
material S, the check valve 4d is welded to the film 2 across the
welding area 10, in the cushioning medium entrance 5. The check
valve 4d has a sealing portion 4d1 made up of a material which does
not melt even at the temperature level at which the films 1 and 2
are thermally welded to each other across the welding areas 8 and
9. The sealing portion 4d1 is coated or printed on the check valve
4d. Therefore, even if heat is applied to the films 1 and 2 across
the welding area 10, it does not occur that the check valve 4d and
film 2 becomes welded to each other. Further, even across the
welding area 8, which is the border between the cushioning medium
(air) entrance 5 and cushioning medium storage portion 3, it does
not occur that the check valve 4d becomes welded to the film 2,
making it possible to secure a passage P2 through which the air is
allowed to enter the cushioning medium storage portion 3 from the
cushioning medium (air) entrance 5. This sealing portion 4d1 does
not need to be a part of the check valve 4d; it may be coated or
printed on the film 2. Even if the sealing portion 4d1 is made as a
part of the film 2, its functions remain the same.
[0060] (Detailed Description of Check Valve Structure)
[0061] The welding areas 12a-12c, across which the check valve 4d
is thermally welded to the film 2 are the same in shape as those in
the first preferred embodiment. As the check valve 4d is thermally
welded to the film 2 across the welding areas 12a-12c, a passage 20
for introducing the air into the cushioning medium storage portion
3 is formed between the check valve 4d and film 2. Referring to
FIG. 13, the width of this passage 20 is obviously less than that
of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, and is formed between
the check valve 4d and the film 2. That is, when the air passes
through the passage 20, the check valve 4d becomes shaped as
indicated by a pair of double-dot chain lines as shown in FIG. 13,
which is a cross-sectional view of the single cushioning unit, at
Plane D-D in FIG. 11.
[0062] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium
storage portion 203 of a comparative packaging material, the
cushioning medium passage portion of which has no wide portion. As
the cushioning medium storage portion 203 is filled with the air,
the films 201 and 202 are arcuately bent as shown in FIG. 14, in
such a manner that the film 202 and check valve 204d become
smallest and largest, respectively, in curvature. However, the
check valve 204d is welded in advance when the film 202 is flat, as
described before. Therefore, as the cushioning medium storage
portion 203 is filled with the air, the check valve 204d is made to
loosely bent inward of the cushioning medium storage portion 203
across its portion 204d1. As a result, the check valve 204d fails
to remain airtightly in contact with the film 202.
[0063] In order to prevent the occurrence of this problem, the
films 1 and 2 in this embodiment are welded to each other across
the welding areas 12a3, 12a5, 12a7, 12a9, 12b3, and 12b5, 12b7, and
12b9 of each of the cushioning units of the cushioning material, as
the films 1 and 2 in the first preferred embodiment are welded to
each other as shown in FIG. 4. The provision of the welded portions
which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise
direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 generates such
a force that works in the direction to extend the check valve 4 in
the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion 3. Thus, the provision of the
welded portions can keep the interface between the check valve 4
and film 2 airtightly sealed as shown in FIG. 13; it prevents the
formation of loose portions, such as those formed in the case of
the comparative example as shown in FIG. 14. In other words, it
keeps the check valve 4d and film 2 airtightly in contact with each
other. The other structural features and effects are the same as
those of the packaging material in the first preferred
embodiment.
Embodiment 3
Packaging Material Structure
[0064] In the first preferred embodiment, there was only one
cushioning medium passage 20. The third preferred embodiment is
characterized in that each cushioning unit is provided with two
cushioning medium passages 21 and 22. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16,
the patterns of the welding areas 24a-24c across which the check
valve 4e is thermally welded to the film 2 are such that each
cushioning unit is provided with the two cushioning medium passages
21 and 22, which are positioned side by side. However, the central
welding area 24b is integration of the welding areas 12a and 12b in
the first preferred embodiment, and is shaped as such.
[0065] To describe in more detail, the primary portion 21c of the
passage 21 is created by welded portions 24a1, 24a2, 24a6, and
24a10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and 24b10. The primary
portion 22c of the passage 22 is created by welded portions 24c1,
24c2, 24c6, and 24c10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and
24b10. Thus, in order to form this wide portion 21b of the passage
21, the welding area 24a is made up of portions 24a3-24a5, and
portions 24a7-24a9, whereas the welding area 24b is made up of
portions 24b3-24b5, and portions 24b7-24b9. Further, in order to
form the wide portions 22b of the passage 22, the welding area 24c
is made up of portions 24c3-24c5, and portions 24c7-24c9, and the
welding area 24b is provided with portions 24b3-24b5, and portions
24b7-24b9.
[0066] Further, the check valve 4e is welded across the areas 23c1
and 23c2, which are on the downstream end sides of the primary
portion 21c and 22c, respectively, creating a pair of cushioning
medium flow regulating portions 23c1 and 23c2. The provision of two
cushioning medium passages 21 and 22 improves each cushioning unit
in cushioning medium injection efficiency. Incidentally, the number
of the cushioning medium passages does not need to be limited to
two; it may be three or more.
[0067] The other structural features of this embodiment of
packaging material in accordance with the present invention are the
same as those of the first preferred embodiment.
Embodiment 4
Packaging Material Structure
[0068] FIG. 17 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of
the packaging material, as seen from above. FIG. 18 is a sectional
view of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging
material, which is inflated with air, at Plane H-H in FIG. 17. FIG.
19 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of
the packaging material, which is inflated with air, at Plane G-G in
FIG. 17.
[0069] The reason why the check valve in this preferred embodiment
is made up of a top check valve 4f and a bottom check valve 4g is
the same as the check valve in the first preferred embodiment is
made up of the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b. Further, the
manner in which the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g are
thermally welded in advance to the film 2 across the welding areas
12a-12c of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is the same as
the manner in which the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are
thermally welded to the film 2 in the first preferred
embodiment.
[0070] The fourth preferred embodiment is different from the first
preferred embodiment only in that the packaging material in the
fourth embodiment is not provided with a cushioning medium entrance
passage, and that the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g
themselves have the function of the cushioning medium entrances.
That is, the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g are welded to
the film 2 not only across the welding areas 34a-34c, but also,
across the welding areas 34d-34e, being thereby provided with a
cushioning medium (air) injection opening 34g. Thus, the air is
directly injected into the top and bottom check valves 4g and 4g.
Therefore, the packaging material in this embodiment is superior in
cushioning medium injection efficiency to those in the preceding
embodiments.
[0071] The shape of the cushioning medium (air) passage 34f is the
same as that in the first embodiment.
Embodiment 5
[0072] The fifth preferred embodiment is different from the
preceding embodiments in the shape of the cushioning medium
passage. The various shapes for the cushioning medium passage in
the fifth embodiments are shown in FIGS. 20-22. Basically, each of
the primary portions 25d-32d of cushioning medium passages 25-32,
respectively, is made parallel to the lengthwise direction of the
cushioning medium storage portion 3. It is the passage formed
between two check valves, or between a check valve and film 2, to
guide the air in the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium
storage portion 3. Each of the cushioning medium passages 25-32 in
this embodiment is provided with portions wider than the primary
portions 25d-32d. In order to form these wider portions, the check
valve is welded to the film 2 across the welding areas, which
extend in the directions intersectional to the lengthwise direction
of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. Further, cushioning
medium flow regulating portions 25c-32c for causing the air to flow
in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion
3 are provided on the downstream side of the outlet of the primary
portions 25d-32d. These cushioning medium flow regulating portions
25c-32c are also formed by welding the check valve, or check
valves, to the film 2. They are also provided with the portions
which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise
direction of the cushioning medium storage portion.
[0073] When manufacturing the packaging material for a process
cartridge by welding two pieces of film together, devising in
pattern the area, or areas, of one of the films, across which the
check valve, or check valves, are welded, can make it difficult for
the cushioning medium to leak from the cushioning medium storage
portion, and also, can make it easier for the cushioning medium to
be injected into the cushioning medium storage portion. Further, it
makes it simpler to form the check valve.
[0074] While the invention has been described with reference to the
structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set
forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications
or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or
the scope of the following claims.
[0075] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 241019/2008 filed Sep. 19, 2008, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
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