U.S. patent application number 12/765509 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for packaging material of gas-bag type, process for packaging article, and process for producing packaging material.
Invention is credited to Norimitsu Komatsu, Hirobumi Sugano.
Application Number | 20100199610 12/765509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34747059 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Komatsu; Norimitsu ; et
al. |
August 12, 2010 |
PACKAGING MATERIAL OF GAS-BAG TYPE, PROCESS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLE,
AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PACKAGING MATERIAL
Abstract
The present invention provides a process for packaging an
article using a packaging material of gas-bag type for packaging
easily deformable parts or devices of office equipment or OA
equipment having various sizes and shapes such as containers
containing toner, containers containing developing agent,
photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex units of a
developer and a toner collector. The packaging material of gas-bag
type comprises tube-like bodies and connecting portions, wherein
the tube-like bodies are able to swell by being injected inner gas,
the connecting portions connect the tube-like bodies in parallel,
the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap an article to be
packaged, and the packaging material is formed from substantially
flat two sheets of one front sheet and one back sheet in a
condition that the inner gas is substantially evacuated from the
tube-like bodies.
Inventors: |
Komatsu; Norimitsu;
(Numazu-shi, JP) ; Sugano; Hirobumi; (Susono-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34747059 |
Appl. No.: |
12/765509 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11482816 |
Jul 10, 2006 |
7726484 |
|
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12765509 |
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PCT/JP2005/000324 |
Jan 6, 2005 |
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11482816 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/052
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/461 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/00 20060101
B65B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2004 |
JP |
2004-002794 |
Claims
1. A process for packaging an article, by means of a packaging
material of gas-bag type comprising tube-like bodies and connecting
portions, comprising: disposing an article to be packaged on the
packaging material, bending the tube-like bodies toward the article
to be packaged, and connecting at least one of the connecting
portions and tube-like bodies, wherein the tube-like bodies are
able to swell by being injected inner gas, the connecting portions
connect the tube-like bodies in parallel, the tube-like bodies are
bendable so as to wrap an article to be packaged, and the packaging
material is formed from substantially flat two sheets of one front
sheet and one back sheet in a condition that the inner gas is
substantially evacuated from the tube-like bodies.
2. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the packaging material is bendable to at least one of front
side and back side of the packaging material in substantially
perpendicular directions to the axis of the tube-like bodies.
3. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the packaging material comprises adhered areas, non-adhered
areas, and a gas entrance, the non-adhered areas comprise
non-adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet and yield
the portions of the tube-like bodies and gas passages communicating
the tube-like bodies, and the adhered areas comprise adhesion
between the front sheet and the back sheet and yield the portions
of the connecting portions and sealing portions at margin of the
packaging material.
4. The process for packaging an article according to claim 3,
wherein each of the gas passages is provided at a part of each
connecting portion, and at least a part of connecting portions
comprises at least one connectable portion.
5. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein each tube-like body comprises nodes at which portion the
tube-like body swells larger compared to the other portion of the
tube-like body.
6. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein one sheet among the front sheet and the back sheet is a
transparent resin sheet, and the other sheet among the front sheet
and the back sheet comprises a concave-convex surface.
7. The process for packaging an article according to claim 6,
wherein the sheet comprising a concave-convex surface comprises a
laminated construction of a resin film sheet and a divided-assigned
sheet.
8. The process for packaging an article according to claim 7,
wherein the resin film sheet is formed from three layers of
polyethylene film, polyamide film, and polyethylene film.
9. The process for packaging an article according to claim 6,
wherein both of the transparent resin sheet and the sheet
comprising a concave-convex surface have an oxygen-gas permeability
of 3 cc/m.sup.2/24 hours or less.
10. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein at least a part of connecting portions comprises at least
one tearable perforated line in parallel to the axial of tube-like
bodies, each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to at least
one of front side and back side of the packaging material, and at
least one end portion of the tube-like bodies comprises a
connectable portion.
11. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein at least a part of connecting portions comprises at least
one cut line in parallel to the axial of tube-like bodies, each
axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to at least one of front
side and back side of the packaging material, and at least one end
portion of the tube-like bodies comprises a connectable
portion.
12. The process for packaging an article according to claim 4,
wherein the tube-like bodies are possible to attach and detach each
other repeatedly at the connectable portion.
13. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein at least a part of tube-like bodies comprises at least one
additional adhered area at the end portion of the tube-like
bodies.
14. The process for packaging an article according to claim 13,
wherein the at least one additional adhered area at the end portion
of the tube-like bodies comprises at least one tearable perforated
line.
15. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the gas entrance is provided to one of tube-like bodies at
the end portion.
16. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein an elongated gripping portion is provided to the packaging
material substantially in parallel to the axis of the tube-like
bodies.
17. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the friction between the sheet comprising a concave-convex
surface and the packaged article is larger than the friction
between the transparent resin sheet and the packaged article.
18. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the pressure of the inner gas injected into the tube-like
bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa.
19. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the inner gas is nitrogen gas.
20. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the width of the connecting portions that connect the
tube-like bodies in parallel is 0.5 cm to 3 cm.
21. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the diameter of the tube-like bodies is 2 cm to 10 cm.
22. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the number of the tube-like bodies is 2 or more.
23. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the article to be packaged is at least one of parts and
devices utilized in office equipment and OA equipment.
24. The process for packaging an article according to claim 1,
wherein the article to be packaged is selected from the group
consisting of containers comprising toner, containers comprising
developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex
units of a developer and a toner collector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of patent application Ser.
No. 11/482,816, filed Jul. 10, 2006, which is a continuation of
Application No. PCT/JP2005/000324, filed on Jan. 6, 2005, and
claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2004-002794,
filed Jan. 8, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to packaging materials of a
gas-bag type which are adapted to provide packaging of parts or
devices of office equipment or office automation (OA) equipment, in
particular, complicated, precise, and delicate parts or devices,
and also slippery and/or elongated parts or devices; processes for
packaging articles by means of the packaging materials, and
processes for producing the packaging materials.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, office equipment, OA equipment, and office
machines have been demanded to reduce size and weight, to increase
functionality, to lower cost, and to enhance performance. In such
background of the art, parts or devices such as toner cartridges,
photoconductor units, developing units, complex assemblies of a
photoconductor and a developer, and complex units of a developer
and a toner collector utilized for the office equipment, OA
equipment, and office machines such as copiers, facsimiles, and
printers have reduced their size and weight. These reductions of
size and weight have reduced durability against deformation and
destruction; on the other hand, such parts or devices have
increased their functionalities and performances.
[0006] Accordingly, minor deformation or destruction tends to
result in a serious or critical damage of the parts or devices;
thus the packaging of such parts or devices and their
transportation and storage have come to be significantly
important.
[0007] Conventionally, office equipment or electrical equipment is
typically disposed at a concave portion of cushioning packaging
material such as styrenefoam, or only both ends are supported by
cushioning packaging material such as styrenefoam, then are
constrained in a cardboard box, and collected, transported, and
stored, as shown in FIG. 6. However, the styrenefoam is bulky since
bubbles occupy about 98% by volume of the material; therefore there
has been a problem that the material should be addressed by some
way. Further, since a kind of parts or devices such as containers
of developing agent are bottles or cartridges made of resins, such
containers hardly deform and thus may be easily set to a main body
of the equipment.
[0008] On the contrary, from the view point of environmental
issues, easily deformable bags are commercially utilized nowadays
in order to reduce the amount of packaging material as well as to
reduce the volume and amount of waste products. In some cases,
containers are filled with powder and may be utilized directly as
cartridges.
[0009] When such easily deformable containers are employed as parts
or devices of office equipment or OA equipment in a form of a
cartridge, there often arise a problem that the cartridge cannot be
smoothly set to the main body of the equipment due to deformation
or breakage during transportation or due to solidification of
content along with deformation of the parts or devices. Further,
not breakage but mere folding of containers at narrow site such as
neck of the container may lead to the setting impossible or missing
sometimes.
[0010] In order to address such problems, cushioning material has
been utilized as packaging material. However, it has been
experienced that the amount of packaging material is increased, the
cost for package is raised, and the efficiency of transportation
and storage are decreased due to enlarged package, when the parts
or devices are contained in boxes made of the cushioning material.
In addition, the boxes containing parts or devices of office
equipment or OA equipment should usually be stored in a certain
direction in order to prevent the breakage or deformation of the
parts or devices.
[0011] As such, novel packaging materials and/or packaging
processes are demanded in the art that afford to collect,
transport, and store parts or devices of office equipment or OA
equipment without occurrences of breakage and deformation, and
allow to take out easily from the package while providing
sufficient cushioning effect; and also the volume reduction,
collection, and reuse are easily carried out economically after the
usage.
[0012] Japanese Utility Model Registration (JP-Y) No. 3039149
proposes a partitioned corrugated box for package and protection of
two articles, in which a corrugated box is partitioned; thereby
deformation of contained articles is reduced. However, in the
partitioned corrugated box capable of containing two articles, if
the articles are sold separately, either of the two articles should
be sold; the deformation of the container shape and the
solidification of the content may lead to failure of setting to the
main body of the equipment, when the article is not utilized
immediately. Further, the increased amount of the cushioning
material brings about raise of packaging cost and increase of waste
packaging material; and enlarged package boxes themselves result in
decrease of transporting efficiency. In addition, the partitioned
corrugated boxes typically present a rectangular shape, namely,
narrowing the design range.
[0013] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2002-145264
discloses a package structure for litho printing board 114 as shown
in FIG. 7, in which intermediate package body 110 is stacked on
pallet portion 128 of box pallet 126 and stored in box portion 129,
plural air bags 148 are inserted into the space between box portion
129 of box pallet 126 and intermediate package body packed by
package members 142, 144; pressured air is filled into the air bags
depending on the space volume between box portion 129 and
intermediate package body 110. Air bags 148 filled with pressured
air can constrain intermediate package body 110 stored in box
portion 129, and can protect bundle 113 by cushioning outer
shock.
[0014] As a result, various litho printing boards having different
sizes are allegedly packed in a simple fashion without altering the
size of packaging material for the various litho printing boards,
and also the packaging material after usage can be effectively
recycled. However, when corrugated boxes are utilized for package
boxes in the process, moisture may effect adversely on the content,
thus the protection of the content is not perfectly reliable.
[0015] Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (JP-U) No.
6-51178 discloses a packaging device for packaging precision
electronic parts or devices as shown in FIG. 8, in which the device
includes first cushioning member 81 and second cushioning member 82
of bag-like vinyl sheet that are formed by arranging plural concave
disposing portions 84, 85 for sustaining electronic parts or
devices; connecting portion 83 formed by folding and duplicating
the cushioning members 81, 82 and connected freely; an air inlet
provided at the first cushioning material 81; and connecting path
83 to connect the inside of cushioning members 81, 82; wherein the
parts or devices are gripped and sustained between disposing
portion 84 of the first cushioning member 81 filled with air and
the opposite disposing portion 85 of the second cushioning member
82.
[0016] In the packaging device, the packaging of precision
electronic parts or devices may be carried out easily, and the
cushioning member may be properly handled, and also the space for
storing may be reduced. However, in the packaging device, the first
cushioning member 81 and second cushioning member 82 of bag-like
vinyl sheet cannot cover the precision electronic parts or devices
sufficiently or perfectly.
[0017] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2000-62850
discloses a packaging device for packaging articles such as copiers
as shown in FIG. 9, in which two cushioning members 913 filled with
air are wrapped around article 902 such as a copier to be packaged,
supporting pillars 907 are inserted at the end of each cushioning
material 913, adjacent supporting pillars 907 are connected by
connecting member 903, and a valve is provided to cushioning
material 913 into which air is injected, which is intended to
package articles such as copiers easily, and to remove the package
easily, to protect the articles certainly, and to decompose and
transport easily after usages.
[0018] However, the packaging device is intended to package
articles having relatively large size such as copiers, thus is not
suitable to apply to parts or devices of office equipment or OA
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The objects of the present invention are to provide a
packaging material of gas-bag type, a process for packaging an
article, and a process for producing the packaging material of
gas-bag type, for packaging easily deformable parts or devices of
office equipment or OA equipment having various sizes and shapes
such as containers containing toner, containers containing
developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex
units of a developer and a toner collector; wherein deformation of
the containers during transportation and breakage or deformation of
the parts or devices due to solidification of content may be
suppressed, setting of the parts or devices may be carried out
easily, the parts or devices may be packaged without cushioning
material, the parts or devices may be properly protected and fixed,
superior design may be performed, the packaged parts or devices may
be suitably housed into packaging boxes, and volume reduction and
recycle may be easily carried out, and also repeated usages are
possible.
[0020] The packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention includes tube-like bodies and connecting
portions,
[0021] wherein the tube-like bodies are able to swell by being
injected inner gas, the connecting portions connect the tube-like
bodies in parallel, the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap
an article to be packaged, and the packaging material is formed
from substantially flat two sheets of one front sheet and one back
sheet in a condition that the inner gas is substantially evacuated
from the tube-like bodies.
[0022] The packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention is flexible and resilient and also may be less
slippery in the condition that inner gas is injected into the
tube-like bodies; therefore, parts or devices of office equipment
or OA equipment having various sizes and shapes such as containers
containing toner, containers containing developing agent,
photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex units of a
developer and a toner collector may be firmly fixed or sustained in
the packaging material. Further, the volume of packaged articles is
relatively small; separation or drop of articles from the packaging
material may be effectively prevented; the packaged articles may
display higher impact resistance; transportation is relatively
easy; decomposition of the packaged articles is relatively easy;
the packaging material may be repeatedly utilized in decomposition
and packaging; volume reduction may be conducted in two steps; and
the cost of the packaging material is lower even having sufficient
adaptability of recycle and reuse.
[0023] Preferably, the packaging material is bendable to at least
one of front side and back side of the packaging material in
substantially perpendicular directions to the axis of the tube-like
bodies.
[0024] Preferably, the packaging material includes adhered areas,
non-adhered areas, and a gas entrance, the non-adhered areas
represent non-adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet
and yield the portions of the tube-like bodies and gas passages
communicating the tube-like bodies, and the adhered areas represent
adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet and yield the
portions of the connecting portions and sealing portions at margin
of the packaging material.
[0025] Preferably, each of the gas passages is provided at a part
of each connecting portion, and at least a part of connecting
portions possesses at least one connectable portion.
[0026] Preferably, each tube-like body possesses nodes at which
portion the tube-like body swells larger compared to the other
portion of the tube-like body.
[0027] Preferably, one sheet among the front sheet and the back
sheet is a transparent resin sheet, and the other sheet among the
front sheet and the back sheet possesses a concave-convex
surface.
[0028] Preferably, the sheet possessing a concave-convex surface
represents a laminated construction of a resin film sheet and a
divided-assigned sheet.
[0029] Preferably, the resin film sheet is formed from three layers
of polyethylene film, polyamide film, and polyethylene film.
[0030] Preferably, both of the transparent resin sheet and the
sheet possessing a concave-convex surface have an oxygen-gas
permeability of 3 cc/m.sup.2/24 hours or less.
[0031] Preferably, at least a part of connecting portions possesses
at least one tearable perforated line in parallel to the axial of
tube-like bodies, each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to
at least one of front side and back side of the packaging material,
and at least one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a
connectable portion.
[0032] Preferably, at least a part of connecting portions possesses
at least one cut line in parallel to the axial of tube-like bodies,
each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to at least one of
front side and back side of the packaging material, and at least
one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a connectable
portion.
[0033] Preferably, the tube-like bodies are possible to attach and
detach each other repeatedly at the connectable portion.
[0034] Preferably, at least a part of tube-like bodies possess at
least one additional adhered area at the end portion of the
tube-like bodies.
[0035] Preferably, the at least one additional adhered area at the
end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses at least one tearable
perforated line.
[0036] Preferably, the gas entrance is provided to one of tube-like
bodies at the end portion.
[0037] Preferably, an elongated gripping portion is provided to the
packaging material substantially in parallel to the axis of the
tube-like bodies.
[0038] Preferably, the friction between the sheet possessing a
concave-convex surface and the packaged article is larger than the
friction between the transparent resin sheet and the packaged
article.
[0039] Preferably, the pressure of the inner gas injected into the
tube-like bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa, and the inner gas is nitrogen
gas.
[0040] Preferably, the width of the connecting portions that
connect the tube-like bodies in parallel is 0.5 cm to 3 cm.
[0041] Preferably, the diameter of the tube-like bodies is 2 cm to
10 cm.
[0042] Preferably, the number of the tube-like bodies is 2 or
more.
[0043] Preferably, the article to be packaged is at least one of
parts and devices utilized in office equipment and OA
equipment.
[0044] Preferably, the article to be packaged is selected from the
group consisting of containers containing toner, containers
containing developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges,
and complex units of a developer and a toner collector.
[0045] The process for packaging an article according to the
present invention, by means of a packaging material of gas-bag type
including tube-like bodies and connecting portions, includes:
[0046] disposing an article to be packaged on the packaging
material,
[0047] bending the tube-like bodies toward the article to be
packaged, and
[0048] connecting at least one of the connecting portions and
tube-like bodies,
[0049] wherein the tube-like bodies are able to swell by being
injected inner gas, the connecting portions connect the tube-like
bodies in parallel, the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap
an article to be packaged, and the packaging material is formed
from substantially flat two sheets of one front sheet and one back
sheet in a condition that the inner gas is substantially evacuated
from the tube-like bodies.
[0050] Preferably, the packaging material is bendable to at least
one of front side and back side of the packaging material in
substantially perpendicular directions to the axis of the tube-like
bodies.
[0051] Preferably, the packaging material includes adhered areas,
non-adhered areas, and a gas entrance, the non-adhered areas
represent non-adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet
and yield the portions of the tube-like bodies and gas passages
communicating the tube-like bodies, and the adhered areas represent
adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet and yield the
portions of the connecting portions and sealing portions at margin
of the packaging material.
[0052] Preferably, each of the gas passages is provided at a part
of each connecting portion, and at least a part of connecting
portions possesses at least one connectable portion.
[0053] Preferably, each tube-like body possesses nodes at which
portion the tube-like body swells larger compared to the other
portion of the tube-like body.
[0054] Preferably, one sheet among the front sheet and the back
sheet is a transparent resin sheet, and the other sheet among the
front sheet and the back sheet possesses a concave-convex
surface.
[0055] Preferably, the sheet possessing a concave-convex surface
represents a laminated construction of a resin film sheet and a
divided-assigned sheet.
[0056] Preferably, the resin film sheet is formed from three layers
of polyethylene film, polyamide film, and polyethylene film.
[0057] Preferably, both of the transparent resin sheet and the
sheet possessing a concave-convex surface have an oxygen-gas
permeability of 3 cc/m.sup.2/24 hours or less.
[0058] Preferably, at least a part of connecting portions possesses
at least one tearable perforated line in parallel to the axial of
tube-like bodies, each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to
at least one of front side and back side of the packaging material,
and at least one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a
connectable portion.
[0059] Preferably, at least a part of connecting portions possesses
at least one cut line in parallel to the axial of tube-like bodies,
each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to at least one of
front side and back side of the packaging material, and at least
one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a connectable
portion.
[0060] Preferably, the tube-like bodies are possible to attach and
detach each other repeatedly at the connectable portion.
[0061] Preferably, at least a part of tube-like bodies possesses at
least one additional adhered area at the end portion of the
tube-like bodies.
[0062] Preferably, the at least one additional adhered area at the
end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses at least one tearable
perforated line.
[0063] Preferably, the gas entrance is provided to one of tube-like
bodies at the end portion.
[0064] Preferably, an elongated gripping portion is provided to the
packaging material substantially in parallel to the axis of the
tube-like bodies.
[0065] Preferably, the friction between the sheet possessing a
concave-convex surface and the packaged article is larger than the
friction between the transparent resin sheet and the packaged
article.
[0066] Preferably, the pressure of the inner gas injected into the
tube-like bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa, and the inner gas is nitrogen
gas.
[0067] Preferably, the width of the connecting portions that
connect the tube-like bodies in parallel is 0.5 cm to 3 cm.
[0068] Preferably, the diameter of the tube-like bodies is 2 cm to
10 cm.
[0069] Preferably, the number of the tube-like bodies is 2 or
more.
[0070] Preferably, the article to be packaged is at least one of
parts and devices utilized in office equipment and OA
equipment.
[0071] Preferably, the article to be packaged is selected from the
group consisting of containers containing toner, containers
containing developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges,
and complex units of a developer and a toner collector.
[0072] The process for producing a packaging material of gas-bag
type according to the present invention that possesses tube-like
bodies and connecting portions includes:
[0073] laminating partially a front sheet and a back sheet to form
adhered areas which correspond to the connecting portions and
sealing portions at margin of the packaging material, and
non-adhered areas which corresponds to the tube-like bodies and gas
passages communicating the tube-like bodies, and
[0074] swelling the non-adhered areas to form the tube-like bodies
and the gas passages communicating the tube-like bodies by
injecting inner gas from a gas entrance,
[0075] wherein the tube-like bodies are able to swell by being
injected inner gas, the connecting portions connect the tube-like
bodies in parallel, the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap
an article to be packaged, and the packaging material is formed
from substantially flat two sheets of one front sheet and one back
sheet in a condition that the inner gas is substantially evacuated
from the tube-like bodies.
[0076] Preferably, the packaging material is bendable to at least
one of front side and back side of the packaging material in
substantially perpendicular directions to the axis of the tube-like
bodies.
[0077] Preferably, the pressure of the inner gas injected into the
tube-like bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa, and the inner gas is nitrogen
gas.
[0078] Preferably, the width of the connecting portions that
connect the tube-like bodies in parallel is 0.5 cm to 3 cm.
[0079] Preferably, the diameter of the tube-like bodies is 2 cm to
10 cm.
[0080] Preferably, the number of the tube-like bodies is 2 or
more.
[0081] Preferably, the article to be packaged is at least one of
parts and devices utilized in office equipment and OA
equipment.
[0082] Preferably, the article to be packaged is selected from the
group consisting of containers containing toner, containers
containing developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges,
and complex units of a developer and a toner collector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0083] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary packaging
material of gas-bag type according to the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross section showing an exemplary
construction of packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention.
[0085] FIG. 2B is another schematic cross section showing an
exemplary construction of packaging material of gas-bag type
according to the present invention.
[0086] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an exemplary
construction of packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention.
[0087] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an exemplary
construction of packaging material of gas-bag type having a
gripping portion according to the present invention.
[0088] FIG. 5 is an exemplary photograph showing an application of
packaging material of gas-bag type according to the present
invention.
[0089] FIG. 6 is an exemplary photograph showing a conventional
packaging material.
[0090] FIG. 7 is another exemplary photograph showing a
conventional packaging material.
[0091] FIG. 8 is still another exemplary photograph showing a
conventional packaging material.
[0092] FIG. 9 is still another exemplary photograph showing a
conventional packaging material.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Packaging Material of Gas-Bag Type, Process for Packaging Article,
and Process for Producing Packaging Material
[0093] The packaging material according to the present invention
includes tube-like bodies, connecting portions, and other members
depending on requirements.
[0094] The process for packaging an article according to the
present invention utilizes the packaging material according to the
present invention. The process for producing a packaging material
according to the present invention produces the packaging material
according to the present invention. The process for packaging an
article and the process for producing a packaging material will be
clarified through explanations with respect to the packaging
material of gas-bag type according to the present invention.
[0095] The packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention includes tube-like bodies and connecting
portions, wherein the tube-like bodies are inflated by injecting
gas, the connecting portions connect the tube-like bodies in
parallel, and the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap an
article to be packaged.
[0096] The packaging material is preferably bendable to both of
front and back sides of the packaging material in perpendicular
directions to the axis of the tube-like bodies.
[0097] The number of the tube-like bodies connected in parallel may
be selected depending on the required application; preferably, the
number is 2 or more.
[0098] The packaging material preferably represents a sheet-like
configuration formed of one front sheet and one back sheet in a
condition where gas within the tube-like bodies is substantially
evacuated.
[0099] The front sheet and the back sheet preferably provide
non-adhered areas and adhered areas, the non-adhered areas
represent non-adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet
and yield the portions of the tube-like bodies and gas passages
communicating the tube-like bodies, and the adhered areas represent
adhesion between the front sheet and the back sheet and yield the
portions of the connecting portions and sealing portions at margin
of the packaging material.
[0100] Each of the gas passages is preferably provided at a part of
each connecting portion, and at least a part of connecting portions
possesses at least one connectable portion; the tube-like bodies
may preferably attach and detach from each other repeatedly at the
connectable portion; and each tube-like body preferably possesses
nodes at which the tube-like body inflates larger compared to other
portions of the tube-like body.
[0101] Preferably, one sheet among the front sheet and the back
sheet is a transparent resin sheet, and the other sheet among the
front sheet and the back sheet possesses a concave-convex surface.
The transparent resin sheet may be formed of polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate and the like; the sheet may
be a mono-layer sheet or a laminated layer sheet thereof the
lamination may be performed by fusing, adhesion, and the like.
[0102] Preferably, the sheet possessing a concave-convex surface
represents a laminated construction of a resin film sheet and a
divided-assigned sheet, and the resin film sheet is formed from
three layers of polyethylene, polyamide, and polyethylene. Examples
of the material of the divided-assigned sheet include polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, and the like; the material
may be selected independently with the materials of the resin film
sheet and the divided-assigned sheet.
[0103] Preferably, both the transparent resin sheet and the sheet
possessing a concave-convex surface have an oxygen-gas permeability
of 3 cc/m.sup.2/24 hours or less. The oxygen-gas permeability may
be determined by means of a method for determining gas permeability
defined in JIS K7126, for example.
[0104] Preferably, at least a part of connecting portions possess
at least one tearable perforated line in parallel to the axis of
the tube-like bodies, each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable
to both of the front and back sides of the packaging material, and
at least one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a
connectable portion.
[0105] Preferably, at least a part of the connecting portions
possess at least one cut line in parallel to the axis of tube-like
bodies, each axis of the tube-like bodies is bendable to both of
the front and back sides of the packaging material, and at least
one end portion of the tube-like bodies possesses a connectable
portion.
[0106] Preferably, the tube-like bodies may attach and detach from
each other repeatedly at the connectable portion; at least a part
of tube-like bodies possesses at least one additional adhered area
at the end portion of the tube-like bodies; and at least one
additional adhered area at the end portion of the tube-like bodies
includes at least one tearable perforated line.
[0107] Preferably, the gas entrance is provided to one of the
tube-like bodies at the end portion; an elongated gripping portion
is provided to the packaging material substantially in parallel to
the axis of the tube-like bodies; and the friction between the
sheet possessing a concave-convex surface and the packaged article
is larger than the friction between the transparent resin sheet and
the packaged article. The friction coefficient may be determined by
means of a method for determining friction coefficient defined in
JIS K7125, for example.
[0108] Preferably, the pressure of the inner gas injected into the
tube-like bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa. Examples of the inner gas
include air and nitrogen gas; preferably, the inner gas is nitrogen
gas.
[0109] Preferably, the article to be packaged is a part or device
utilized in office equipment and OA equipment; and the article to
be packaged is selected from the group including containers
containing toner, containers containing developing agent,
photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex units of a
developer and a toner collector.
[0110] FIG. 1 shows a packaging material of gas-bag type according
to the present invention, in which the packaging material is at the
stage where gas begins to enter into it starting from an
approximately sheet-like condition without gas inside the material.
In the packaging material of gas-bag type, eight pieces of flexible
tube-like bodies 1 to 8 are disposed in parallel and connected by
connecting portions 9 to 15. Obviously, the number of passages 9a
to 15a may be greater than or less than eight. Connecting portions
9 to 15 are flexible such that they are bendable the to back side
and front side; thus tube-like bodies 1 to 8 are bendable to the
back side and front side at connecting portions 9 to 15.
[0111] Preferably, the exemplary packaging material of gas-bag type
is prepared by forming adhered areas and non-adhered areas of two
flexible sheet materials in a partially laminated fashion. The
non-adhered areas correspond to inflatable areas by injecting gas,
thereby forming flexible tube-like bodies 1 to 8. In connecting
portions 9 to 15, gas passages 9a to 15a are formed, which
correspond to the non-adhered areas. Passages 9a to 15a direct gas
injected from gas entrance 17 provided at a tube-like body (6 in
FIG. 1) into the other tube-like bodies 1 to 5, 7, and 8, and to
exhaust the gas out of gas entrance 17 through tube-like bodies 1
to 5, 7, and 8.
[0112] The adhered areas correspond to connected portions 9b to 15b
of connecting portions 9 to 15, sealing portions 19 and 20 at both
ends in the axial direction of tube-like bodies 1 to 8, and sealing
portions 23 and 25 at both right and left sides of the packaging
material.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary packaging material of
gas-bag type is prepared from front and back sheets of two flexible
materials. Front sheet material 29 is a sheet having a
concave-convex surface, which performs to fix the packaged parts or
devices of office equipment or OA equipment on the surface. Back
sheet material 31 is a transparent sheet, which allows the direct
observation as to the packaged conditions or abnormality as to
easily deformable or breakable portions of the parts or devices,
and immediate determination as to the way to remove the parts or
devices.
[0114] Preferably, the front sheet material 29 having a
concave-convex surface is of laminated construction of resin film
sheet and divided-assigned sheet, and the resin film sheet is
formed from three layers of polyethylene, polyamide, and
polyethylene. Preferably, the sheet of transparent resin as well as
the sheet having a concave-convex surface have an oxygen-gas
permeability of 3 cc/m.sup.2/24 hours or less; thereby the
exemplary packaging material of gas-bag type can maintain the
performance for a long period while preventing leakage of injected
gas.
[0115] In the packaging material of gas-bag type, partial areas
swell when gas is injected, wherein multiple flexible tube-like
bodies 1 to 8 are formed in parallel and connected by connecting
portions 9 to 15. Parts or devices of office equipment or OA
equipment to be packaged are disposed on the packaging material,
and the connecting portions 9 to 15 are bent toward the parts or
devices to form a circle of the packaging material as shown in FIG.
2A thereby wrapping the parts or devices; then sealing portions 23
and 25 at both ends of right and left sides are connected to each
other; thereby the parts or devices may be packaged.
[0116] Fastener 27 is provided at sealing portions 23 and 25 for
connecting, separating, and re-connecting the sealing portions 23
and 25; the fastener may be selected from hook, pressure-sensitive
adhesive, chuck, magic Tape.RTM., and the like. Tube-like bodies 1
to 8 possess multiple nodes 1c to 8c that exhibit a relatively
large inflation compared to the other portions. Nodes 1C to 8c
firmly fix the packaged parts or devices. Preferably, two or more
tube-like bodies 1 to 8 are longer than the packaged parts or
devices; thereby damage of packaged parts or devices may be
prevented as a result of an accidental drop, for example.
[0117] In the exemplary packaging material of gas-bag type,
tube-like bodies 1 to 8 are flexible so as to be bendable in the
axial direction. In addition, cut portions 33 are provided at
connecting portion 11 between tube-like bodies 3 and 4, at
connecting portion 14 between tube-like bodies 6 and 7, and at
connecting portion 15 between tube-like bodies 7 and 8. Therefore,
tube-like body 4 for example can be bent to any directions of front
side and back side apart from the adjacent tube-like bodies 3 and
5, and tube-like body 7 for example can be bent to any directions
of front side and back side apart from the adjacent tube-like
bodies 6 and 8. Connecting portions 11, 12, 14, and 15 are flexible
and can be bent to any directions of front side and back side as
described above. As a result, the exemplary packaging material of
gas-bag type can form a boat-like or a rectangular concave space 35
with tube-like bodies 5 and 6 as the bottom portion, as shown
schematically in cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B and entire
constructive view of FIG. 3. The parts or devices of office
equipment or OA equipment can be housed in the concave space 35 and
be packaged firmly in the packaging material.
[0118] In order to form the boat-like or rectangular concave space
35 as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 3, the packaging material is bent
at connecting portions 11, 12, 14, and 15 so as to form both side
walls from tube-like bodies 4 and 7, and the axial ends of
tube-like bodies 4 and 7 are engaged by means of
attachable-detachable engaging portions 37 and 39 in a fastener
mechanism. In this example, tube-like bodies 1, 2, 3, and 8, which
are not employed directly to the form boat-like or rectangular
concave space 35, cover the space 35 after parts or devices of
office equipment or OA equipment are housed into the space 35.
Accordingly, the attachable-detachable engaging portion 27 is
provided at the both ends of tube-like bodies 1 to 8 in a fastener
mechanism.
[0119] After the usage of the material, the exemplary packaging
material of gas-bag type can be rendered to an approximately planar
condition without concave space 35 by releasing the
attachable-detachable engaging portions 37 and 39, and further, can
be rendered to a thinner sheet-like body by evacuating gas from gas
entrance 17. The selection as to the level of volume reduction can
be optionally conducted.
[0120] In the explanation described above, concave space 35 is
formed using tube-like bodies 4 and 7 as the side wall and
tube-like bodies 5 and 6 as the bottom portion; the side wall and
bottom portion may be formed with tube-like bodies other than the
ones selected in the exemplary tube-like bodies.
[0121] Further, the exemplary packaging material of gas-bag type
includes laminating regions 41 at around tip of cut portions 33 of
tube-like bodies 4 and 7 in the direction perpendicular to the cut
portions 33. Laminating regions 41 make the bending of tube-like
bodies 4 and 7 easier to form both of the side walls.
[0122] In the exemplary packaging material of gas-bag type, cut
portions 33 of tube-like bodies 4 and 7 may be replaced by tearable
perforated lines. The tearable perforated lines may be provided
around laminating regions 41 provided in the direction
perpendicular to the cut portions 33. The example shown in FIG. 1
indicates the condition cut through a perforated line at the lower
edges of tube-like bodies 4 and 7.
[0123] Preferably, gas entrance 17 is provided at an axial edge of
one of tube-like bodies 1 to 8 at a location that does not disturb
the packaging.
[0124] The packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention may package articles firmly, may afford less risk
to damage packaged articles even when the packaged articles are
dropped accidentally, and may represent less possibility for the
packaged articles to slip off; therefore the articles packaged by
the packaging material of gas-bag type according to the present
invention may be transported and stored without additional
packaging boxes.
[0125] In order to assure the advantage, preferably, a gripping
portion 43 is provided to one of tube-like bodies 1 to 8. The
gripping portion 43 may be fixed to the tube-like body or be formed
in a detachable fashion.
[0126] Preferably, the friction between sheet material 31 having a
concave-convex surface and parts or devices of office equipment or
OA equipment is larger than the friction between sheet material 29
of transparent resin and the parts or devices; thereby the
possibility that the packaged articles slip out of the packaging
material of the present invention can be reduced still further.
Preferably, the friction between sheet material 31 having a
concave-convex surface and the parts or devices is 3 times to 10
times, more preferably 5 times to 7 times the friction between
sheet material 29 of transparent resin and the parts or devices.
Excessively high friction leads to difficulty in taking out the
parts or devices, and on the other hand, excessively low friction
leads to a lower ability for sustaining parts or devices.
[0127] In the packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention, preferably, the diameter of the tube-like bodies
is 2 cm to 10 cm, more preferably is 4 cm to 6 cm. When the
diameter of the tube-like bodies is less than 2 cm, the injection
and discharge of gas tends to be difficult, and on the other hand,
when the diameter of the tube-like bodies is more than 10 cm, the
ability for sustaining parts or devices is likely to be
insufficient.
[0128] The width of connecting portion 9 to 15 is preferably 0.5 cm
to 3 cm, more preferably is 1 cm to 2 cm. When the width of
connecting portion is less than 0.5 cm, the injection and discharge
of gas tends to be difficult, and on the other hand, when the width
of connecting portion is more than 3 cm, the ability for sustaining
parts or devices is likely to be insufficient.
[0129] The pressure of the inner gas injected into tube-like bodies
1 to 8 is preferably 6 hPa to 9 hPa, more preferably is 7 hPa to 8
hPa. In order to inject gas with a pressure in the range, the
pressured air from a compressor, booster and the like are
preferably utilized. Excessively low pressure of the gas leads to
insufficient protection from shock or impact, whereas excessively
high pressure of gas may lead to slip out of parts or devices and
also breakage of the tube-like bodies. The type of gas that may be
injected into tube-like bodies 1 to 8 is not particularly limited,
preferably the selected gas is air or nitrogen gas, more preferably
nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas injected into tube-like bodies 1 to
8 can extend the swelled period to 2 to 3 times that of air. This
advantage may possibly compensate for the disadvantages that the
cost of nitrogen gas is considerably higher than the cost of air
and also the processing places to inject nitrogen gas are
limited.
[0130] FIG. 5 shows a condition that a PCU (processor control unit)
is sustained in horizontal direction. Projections of PCU may be
protected by somewhat elongating the horizontal length of the
packaging material.
(Process for Producing Packaging Material of Gas-Bag Type)
[0131] In the process for producing a packaging material, the
packaging material of gas-bag type according to the present
invention may be produced.
[0132] The process includes laminating partially the front sheet
and the back sheet to form adhered areas which correspond to the
connecting portions and sealing portions at margin of the packaging
material, and non-adhered areas which correspond to the tube-like
bodies and gas passages communicating the tube-like bodies, and
swelling the non-adhered areas to form tube-like bodies and gas
passages communicating the tube-like bodies by injecting inner gas
from a gas entrance.
[0133] In the partial laminating, two sheets of a front sheet and a
back sheet are partially laminated to form adhered regions and
non-adhered regions. The adhesion may be performed by thermal
fusion of the two sheets or by adhesive bonding. The adhered
regions yield the portions of connecting portions, and sealing
portions at margin of the packaging material such as at the edges
of the packaging material along the tube-like bodies, and the axial
edges of the tube-like bodies, and also additional adhered areas at
the end portion of the tube-like bodies if necessary.
[0134] In the inflating, non-adhered areas are inflated by
injecting gas to form tube-like bodies and gas passages
communicating with the tube-like bodies. Preferably, the pressure
of the gas injected into the tube-like bodies is 6 hPa to 9 hPa,
and the gas is air or nitrogen gas, more preferably, the gas is
nitrogen gas.
[0135] The packaging material of gas-bag type according to the
present invention may afford various effects, namely, the assembly
of the packaging material and the packaging process are relatively
simple and the operating periods are relatively short; various
parts or devices such as containers of developing agent, cartridges
with complicated construction, and parts with delicate properties
may be firmly fixed in the packaging material since the packaging
material is properly flexible, resilient, and hardly slippery; the
volume of packaged articles is relatively small; separation or
dropping of articles from the packaging material may be effectively
prevented; the packaged articles may display higher impact
resistance; transportation is relatively easy; decomposition of the
packaged articles is relatively easy; the packaging material may be
repeatedly utilized in decomposition and packaging; volume
reduction may be conducted in two steps; and the cost of the
packaging material is lower even with adaptability of recycle and
reuse.
[0136] Further, articles may be protected without packaging boxes
or other packaging materials, and the parts of packaging materials
may be reduced, resulting in lower cost for packaging; the
production of the packaging material is relatively simple, thus it
is adapted to automatic production; the resulting packaging
material may require less space to transport and to store, since
the sheets are stackable.
[0137] Further, the partially transparent construction allows the
observation as to the packaged conditions or abnormality as to
easily deformable or breakable portions of the parts or devices,
and immediate determination as to the way to take out the parts or
devices; the packaged condition reduces the volume by decomposing
into a flat condition; then further reduces the volume by
discharging the gas; therefore, the level of volume reduction may
be selected by considering the frequency of usages, the operating
period for package, the space needed for working and the like; the
sheet-like packaging material in the degassing condition allows for
folding of the packaging material, resulting in efficient
transportation and storage; the resilience of the packaging
material may prevent damage to themselves such as pinhole, scratch,
and breakage.
* * * * *