U.S. patent application number 12/087889 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-30 for air-cushioning material and bag for transporting packaging object.
This patent application is currently assigned to Japan Network Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Hideaki Hashimoto, Toshiaki Taira.
Application Number | 20100329589 12/087889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506415 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20100329589 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taira; Toshiaki ; et
al. |
December 30, 2010 |
Air-Cushioning Material and Bag For Transporting Packaging
Object
Abstract
An air-cushioning material comprises a first air chamber that
constitutes a bottom portion of a storage portion for storing a
packaging object, and a second air chamber that constitutes a
peripheral wall portion of the storage portion. The first air
chamber comprises a valve capable of injecting and evacuating air,
and an upper face portion in which a vent hole is formed, the first
air chamber and the second air chamber are communicated each other
via the vent hole. The second air chamber bulges into the storage
portion, when the second air chamber is filled, via the vent hole,
with air injected into the first air chamber via the valve.
Thereby, sufficient air can fill the portion that constitutes the
bottom portion of a storage portion where the packaging object is
stored, and the cushioning effect of air can be effectively
exerted, so that the packaging object can be effectively prevented
from being damaged or the like on account of, for instance,
external impacts.
Inventors: |
Taira; Toshiaki; (Saitama,
JP) ; Hashimoto; Hideaki; (Chiba, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POSZ LAW GROUP, PLC
12040 SOUTH LAKES DRIVE, SUITE 101
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
Japan Network Co., Ltd
Saitama
JP
|
Family ID: |
40506415 |
Appl. No.: |
12/087889 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 29, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/053605 |
371 Date: |
October 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/3 ;
206/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/052 20130101;
B65D 81/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/3 ;
206/521 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/00 20060101
B65D030/00; B65D 81/02 20060101 B65D081/02 |
Claims
1. An air-cushioning material, comprising: a first air chamber that
constitutes a bottom portion of a storage portion for storing a
packaging object; and a second air chamber that constitutes a
peripheral wall portion of the storage portion, wherein the first
air chamber comprises a valve capable of injecting and evacuating
air, and an upper face portion in which a vent hole is formed, the
first air chamber and the second air chamber are communicated with
each other via the vent hole, and the second air chamber bulges
into the storage portion as the second air chamber is filled, via
the vent hole, with air injected into the first air chamber via the
valve.
2. The air-cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the
upper face portion of the first air chamber is supported by a
support portion in the first air chamber so as to prevent the upper
face portion of the first air chamber from bulging excessively into
the storage portion.
3. The air-cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein an
opening area of the vent hole of the upper face portion of the
first air chamber is set in such a manner that air injected into
the first air chamber via the valve flows into the second air
chamber while filling up the first air chamber to such an extent
that the packaging object stored in the storage portion can be
supported.
4. The air-cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the
first air chamber has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan
view, the valve is provided on one side face portion in a short
side of the substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and the
vent hole is formed in the upper face portion, on a side of another
side face portion opposing the one side face portion.
5. The air-cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the
support portion is a tubular member provided with at least one vent
hole on a peripheral face thereof, and one end of the tubular
member is bonded to the upper face portion and another end of the
tubular member is bonded to a bottom face portion of the first air
chamber.
6. The air-cushioning material according to claim 5, wherein an
opening area of the vent hole of the tubular member is greater than
an opening area of the vent hole of the upper face portion of the
first air chamber.
7. The air-cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein a
hard-elastic plate-like member is provided outside the bottom face
portion of the first air chamber.
8. A bag for transporting a packaging object, comprising: the
air-cushioning material according to claim 1; and a bag body
capable of storing therein the air-cushioning material.
9. The bag for transporting a packaging object according to claim
8, wherein a hole is provided in the bag body in such a manner that
the valve of the air-cushioning material can be exposed
outside.
10. The bag for transporting a packaging object according to claim
9, wherein the bag body comprises a cover portion capable of
covering the valve of the air-cushioning material.
11. The bag for transporting a packaging object according to claim
8, wherein mutually lockable locking members are provided in the
air-cushioning material and the bag body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-cushioning material
capable of preventing damage or the like in a packaging object
stored in a storage portion, and to a bag for transporting a
packaging object using such an air-cushioning material.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Air-cushioning materials having an air chamber are widely
used for packing and transporting packaging objects. In such
air-cushioning materials, air is injected into an air chamber that
is made to abut the entire surface or part of a packaging object,
exploiting thereby the cushioning effect of the air in the air
chamber to prevent the packaging object from being damaged on
account of, for instance, external impacts.
[0003] Such conventional air-cushioning materials include, for
instance, the air-cushioning material 200 proposed in Patent
Document 1, comprising a first air chamber 201 that abuts a
peripheral face portion and bottom portion of a packaging object
203, and a second air chamber 202, separate from the first air
chamber 201, which abuts an upper face portion of the packaging
object 203, as shown in FIG. 6.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2003-34363
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The first air chamber 201 of the air-cushioning material 200
described in Patent Document 1 is made of a flexible material
comprising, for instance, vinyl, rubber, a synthetic resin or the
like. Accordingly, the air-cushioning material 200 is problematic
in that although sufficient air fills the side face portions of the
first air chamber 201 when air is injected into the first air
chamber 201 where the packaging object 203 is stored, the bottom
face portion of the first air chamber 201 fails to be sufficiently
filled with air, depending on the weight of the packaging object
203. Such an air-cushioning material 200 is therefore problematic,
as it fails to prevent effectively the packaging object 203 from
being damaged or the like as a result of, for instance, external
impacts.
[0005] With a view to filling the first air chamber 201
substantially uniformly with air, enough air can conceivably be
injected so that the first air chamber 201 does not expand
completely, followed by storing of the packaging object 203, after
which air is injected again into the first air chamber 201. When
the packaging object 203 is thus stored, however, the air in the
bottom face portion of the first air chamber 201 may shift towards
the side face portions, depending on the weight of the packaging
object 203. Such a procedure is thus problematic in that the bottom
face portion of the first air chamber 201 is not filled with
sufficient air, and the packaging object 203 fails still to be
effectively prevented from being damaged or the like as a result
of, for instance, external impacts.
[0006] In the light of the above, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an air-cushioning material, and a bag for
transporting a packaging object using the air-cushioning material,
in which sufficient air can fill the portions that constitute the
bottom portion of a storage portion where the packaging object is
stored, with less dependence on the weight of the packaging object,
and in which the cushioning effect of air can be effectively
exerted, so that the packaging object can be effectively prevented
from being damaged or the like as a result of, for instance,
external impacts.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
provides an air-cushioning material comprising a first air chamber
that constitutes a bottom portion of a storage portion for storing
a packaging object, and a second air chamber that constitutes a
peripheral wall portion of the storage portion; wherein the first
air chamber comprises a valve capable of injecting and evacuating
air, and an upper face portion in which a vent hole is formed; the
first air chamber and the second air chamber are communicated with
each other via the vent hole; and the second air chamber bulges
into the storage portion as the second air chamber is filled, via
the vent hole, with air injected into the first air chamber via the
valve (Invention 1).
[0008] According to the above invention (Invention 1), there are
provided two air chambers, i.e. a first air chamber and a second
air chamber, communicating with each other, so that air is injected
first into the first air chamber that constitutes the bottom
portion of the storage portion in which the packaging object is
stored, and flows thereafter into the second air chamber. As a
result, the packaging object can be supported by the air pressure
of the first air chamber, while that same air can exert a
sufficient cushioning effect. The packaging object can be
effectively prevented thereby from being damaged or the like on
account of, for instance, external impacts. Also, by providing just
one valve capable of injecting and evacuating air into and from the
first air chamber, the air-cushioning material according to the
above invention (Invention 1) allows air to fill the first and
second air chambers, so that air can be injected easily into the
first and second air chambers. The air-cushioning material
according to the above invention (Invention 1), furthermore,
comprises a valve capable of injecting and evacuating air, and
hence the storage space of the air-cushioning material can be
shrunk after use by, for instance, evacuating the air and folding
up the air-cushioning material, which can then be used again
through renewed injection of air.
[0009] In the above invention (Invention 1), preferably, the upper
face portion of the first air chamber is supported by a support
portion in the first air chamber so as to prevent the upper face
portion of the first air chamber from bulging excessively into the
storage portion (Invention 2).
[0010] If the upper face portion of the first air chamber bulges
excessively into the storage portion during injection of air into
the first air chamber, the packaging object stored in the storage
portion may jump out of the storage portion. According to the above
invention (Invention 2), however, a support portion is provided in
the first air chamber, whereby the upper face portion of the first
air chamber can be prevented from bulging excessively, and the
packaging object stored in the storage portion can be prevented
from jumping out of the storage portion.
[0011] In the above inventions (Inventions 1, 2), preferably, the
opening area of the vent hole of the upper face portion of the
first air chamber is set in such a manner that air injected into
the first air chamber via the valve flows into the second air
chamber while filling up the first air chamber to such an extent
that the packaging object stored in the storage portion can be
supported (Invention 3).
[0012] According to the above invention (Invention 3), air injected
into the first air chamber flows into the second air chamber while
filling up the first air chamber to such an extent that the
packaging object can be supported in the storage portion, whereby
the packaging object stored in the storage portion is prevented
from sagging into the first air chamber. The packaging object can
be effectively prevented thereby from being damaged or the like on
account of, for instance, external impacts.
[0013] In the above inventions (Inventions 1 to 3), preferably, the
first air chamber has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan
view; the valve is provided on one side face portion in a short
side of the substantially rectangular shape in a plan view; and the
vent hole is formed in the upper face portion, on the side of
another side face portion opposing the one side face portion
(Invention 4).
[0014] According to the above invention (Invention 4), a vent hole,
as an air channel from the first air chamber to the second air
chamber, is formed at a position removed from the valve through
which air is injected into the first air chamber, and hence air can
be injected into the second air chamber while spreading within the
first air chamber. The packaging object can be effectively
prevented thereby from being damaged or the like on account of, for
instance, external impacts.
[0015] In the above inventions (Inventions 1 to 4), preferably, the
support portion is a tubular member provided with at least one vent
hole on the peripheral face thereof, one end of the tubular member
is bonded to the upper face portion, and another end of the tubular
member is bonded to the bottom face portion of the first air
chamber (Invention 5).
[0016] According to the above invention (Invention 5), both ends of
the support portion are respectively bonded to the upper face
portion and the bottom face portion of the first air chamber,
whereby the first air chamber can be prevented from bulging
excessively into the storage portion when air is injected into the
first air chamber. Also, a vent hole is formed on the peripheral
face of the tubular member, and hence the tubular member can also
be filled with air. The packaging object can be further effectively
prevented thereby from being damaged or the like on account of, for
instance, external impacts.
[0017] In the above invention (Invention 5), preferably, the
opening area of the vent hole of the tubular member is greater than
the opening area of the vent hole of the upper face portion of the
first air chamber (Invention 6). According to such an invention
(Invention 6), air fills first the interior of the tubular member,
and then is injected into the second air chamber via the vent hole
of the upper face portion of the first air chamber. As a result,
air is injected into the second air chamber while spreading within
the entire first air chamber. The packaging object on the bottom
portion of the storage portion can be effectively prevented thereby
from being damaged or the like on account of, for instance,
external impacts.
[0018] In the above inventions (Inventions 1 to 6), preferably, a
hard-elastic plate-like member is provided outside the bottom face
portion of the first air chamber (Invention 7). According to such
an invention (Invention 7), the bottom face portion of the first
air chamber can be prevented from bulging out, preserving thus the
substantially planar shape of the bottom face portion of the
air-cushioning material. As a result, the air-cushioning material
can be placed stably while air is being injected thereinto. Also,
the first air chamber can be prevented thereby from being damaged
on account of impacts from below the first air chamber.
[0019] When the above air-cushioning material is stored in a
container such as a bag or the like for transporting a packaging
object and used in that state, and a plate-like member is disposed
on the bottom face portion of the bag, if air is injected into the
first air chamber of the air-cushioning material, stored in the bag
but not yet filled with air, the plate-like member may shift
towards the side face portions of the air-cushioning material, or
may push into the bottom face portion of the first air chamber,
thereby deforming the first air chamber. According to the above
invention (Invention 7), however, the plate-like member is provided
outside the bottom face portion of the air-cushioning material, and
hence the plate-like member is disposed between the bottom face
portion of the bag and the bottom face portion of the
air-cushioning material. This allows stabilizing the bottom face
portion of the container for transporting a packaging object having
stored therein the air-cushioning material.
[0020] Also, the present invention provides a bag for transporting
a packaging object, comprising the air-cushioning material
according to the above inventions (Inventions 1 to 7), and a bag
body capable of storing therein the air-cushioning material
(Invention 8).
[0021] The above invention (Invention 8) allows a packaging object
to be transported while protected from external impacts or the
like, thanks to the above air-cushioning material, so that the
packaging object can be prevented from being damaged or the like
during transport.
[0022] In the above invention (Invention 8), preferably, a hole is
provided in the bag body in such a manner that the valve of the
air-cushioning material can be exposed outside (Invention 9).
Storing into the bag body an air-cushioning material that is
expanded with injected air is troublesome, however, according to
such an invention (Invention 9), the air-cushioning material can be
stored in the bag body prior to injection of air into the air
cushioning material, and air can be injected into the
air-cushioning material in that state. The packaging object can be
easily packed as a result.
[0023] In the above invention (Invention 9), preferably, the bag
body comprises a cover portion capable of covering the valve of the
air-cushioning material (Invention 10). According to such an
invention (Invention 10), the valve is not exposed to the outside
during transport, and hence the valve can thus be prevented from
being damaged or the like on account of, for instance, external
impacts. The cover portion, moreover, makes the bag design more
attractive.
[0024] In the above inventions (Inventions 8 to 10), preferably,
mutually lockable locking members are provided in the
air-cushioning material and the bag body (Invention 11). According
to such an invention (Invention 11), the air-cushioning material is
firmly held in the bag body, so that the air-cushioning material
does not shift inside the bag body during transport. The packaging
object can be further effectively prevented thereby from being
damaged or the like on account of, for instance, external
impacts.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention succeeds thus in providing an
air-cushioning material, and a bag for transporting a packaging
object using the air-cushioning material, in which sufficient air
can fill the portions that constitute the bottom portion of a
storage portion where the packaging object is stored, and in which
the cushioning effect of air can be effectively exerted, so that
the packaging object can be effectively prevented from being
damaged or the like as a result of, for instance, external
impacts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air-cushioning
material according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the
air-cushioning material according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an air-cushioning
material according to an embodiment of the present invention,
viewed from a bottom face portion.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bag for transporting
a packaging object using the air-cushioning material according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing the bag
for transporting a packaging object in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional
air-cushioning material.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0032] 1 . . . air-cushioning material [0033] 2 . . . first air
chamber [0034] 21 . . . upper face portion [0035] 22 . . . bottom
face portion [0036] 23 . . . first side face portion [0037] 24 . .
. second side face portion [0038] 27 . . . vent hole [0039] 28 . .
. support portion [0040] 283 . . . peripheral face portion [0041]
284 . . . vent hole [0042] 29 . . . bottom plate (plate-like
member) [0043] 3 . . . second air chamber [0044] 34 . . .
hook-and-loop fastener (locking member) [0045] 4 . . . storage
portion [0046] 5 . . . valve [0047] 6 . . . packaging object [0048]
10 . . . bag for transporting a packaging object [0049] 11 . . .
bag body [0050] 15 . . . hole [0051] 16 . . . cover portion
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0052] The air-cushioning material according to an embodiment of
the present invention and the bag for transporting a packaging
object using the same are explained next with reference to
accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the
air-cushioning material according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view showing the air-cushioning material
according to the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing
the air-cushioning material according to the embodiment, as viewed
from a bottom face portion; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a
bag for transporting a packaging object using the air-cushioning
material according to the embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a partial
cutaway perspective view showing the bag for transporting a
packaging object in the embodiment.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, an air-cushioning material 1 according
to the present embodiment comprises a first air chamber 2 that
constitutes the bottom portion of a storage portion 4 in which a
packaging object 6 is stored, and a second air chamber 3 that
constitutes the peripheral wall portion of the storage portion
4.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the first air chamber 2 is formed by
bonding together a top face portion 21, a bottom face portion 22
and first to fourth side face portions 23 to 26, obtained by
forming a resin sheet or the like to a substantially rectangular
shape, in such a manner that the first air chamber 2 becomes a
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (substantially
rectangular shape in plan view).
[0055] The material of the first air chamber 2 is not particularly
limited, provided that it has a certain flexibility. In terms of
strength, for instance, there is preferably used a resin sheet or
the like comprising polyurethane. When the material comprised in
the first air chamber 2 is a heat-sealable material, the first air
chamber 2 can be easily produced by heat-sealing the top face
portion 21, the bottom face portion 22 and the first to fourth side
face portions 23 to 26 in such a manner that the first air chamber
2 becomes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape
(substantially rectangular shape in plan view). The top face
portion 21, the bottom face portion 22 and the first to fourth side
face portions 23 to 26 may also respectively be adhered by
adhesive.
[0056] The first air chamber 2 is not limited to being formed as
described above. The first air chamber 2 may be formed, for
instance, through blow molding of a resin or the like, or by
folding a flat unfolded resin sheet or the like comprising the top
face portion 21, the bottom face portion 22 and the first to fourth
side face portions 23 to 26, and bonding then together the sides
that come into contact.
[0057] A valve 5, for injecting air into the first air chamber 2
and evacuating air from the first air chamber 2, is provided at
substantially the central portion of the first side face portion 23
in one of the short sides of the plan-view substantially
rectangular shape of the first air chamber 2.
[0058] The valve 5 has a substantially L-shaped tube portion and an
opening/closing valve provided at one end of the tube portion. Air
can be injected into the first air chamber 2, and can be evacuated
from the first air chamber 2, by opening the opening/closing valve.
The interior of the first air chamber 2 and the second air chamber
3 (air-cushioning material 1) can be sealed, and air can be
prevented from leaking out of the air-cushioning material 1, by
closing the opening/closing valve.
[0059] One vent hole 27 is formed on the top face portion 21 of the
first air chamber 2. The vent hole 27 is formed at substantially
the central portion of the end of the top face portion 21 on the
side of the second side face portion 24 that opposes the first side
face portion 23, where the valve 5 is provided. The first air
chamber 2 and the second air chamber 3 communicate via the vent
hole 27.
[0060] The opening area of the vent hole 27 of the top face portion
21 of the first air chamber 2 may be set in such a manner that the
air injected into the first air chamber 2, via the valve 5, flows
into the second air chamber while filling the first air chamber 2
to such an extent that the packaging object 6 can be supported in
the storage portion 4. For instance, the opening area of the valve
5 may be appropriately set so as to be smaller than the opening
area of the vent hole 27. When for instance the openings of the
vent hole 27 and the valve 5 are circular, the opening diameter of
the vent hole 27 may be set to be smaller than the opening diameter
of the valve 5.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, pockets 221, 221 having openings are
provided at both outer ends of the bottom face portion 22 of the
first air chamber 2 in such a manner that the openings of the
pockets 221, 221 oppose each other. The pocket 221 is obtained by
bonding together three sides of a substantially rectangular resin
sheet with the short side, and part of the long sides adjacent to
the short side, of the bottom face portion 22. A bottom plate 29 is
provided outside the bottom face portion 22 of the first air
chamber 2, in such a manner that both ends of the bottom plate 29,
in the longitudinal direction, are respectively inserted into the
openings of the pockets 221, 221. As the bottom plate 29 there can
be used, for instance, a plastic plate, cardboard or the like.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, a support portion 28 comprising a
tubular member of substantially rectangular shape in plan view is
provided in the first air chamber 2, such that an upper end 281 of
the support portion 28 is bonded to the top face portion 21 of the
first air chamber 2, and a lower end 282 of the support portion 28
is bonded to the bottom face portion 22 of the first air chamber 2.
The upper end 281 and the lower end 282 of the support portion 28
may be respectively bonded to the top face portion 21 and the
bottom face portion 22 by heat-sealing, or by adhesive or the
like.
[0063] When the support portion 28 is shaped as, for instance, four
bands or strings, attaching the support portion 28 in the first air
chamber 2 requires eight bonding operations, which may complicate
the production of the air-cushioning material 1. However, using a
tubular member as the support portion 28 allows easily attaching
the support portion 28 in the first air chamber 2 by way of just
two bonding operations.
[0064] The surface area of the plan-view substantially rectangular
shape of the support portion 28 (opening area of the tubular
member) is set to be slightly smaller than the surface area of the
bottom portion of the storage portion 4. This allows preventing the
packaging object 6, stored in the storage portion 4, from sagging
(downwards) into the first air chamber 2.
[0065] Two vent holes 284, 284 are formed, opposite each other, on
the peripheral face portion 283 of the support portion 28, such
that air flows into the support portion 28 via the vent holes 284,
284. The number of vent holes 284 formed on the peripheral face
portion 283 is not particularly limited, provided that the strength
of the support portion 28 can be preserved to certain degree, and
thus there may be formed three or more vent holes 284.
[0066] The total opening area of the vent holes 284 formed on the
peripheral face portion 283 of the support portion 28 is preferably
larger than the opening area of the vent hole 27 formed on the top
face portion 21. The air injected into the first air chamber 2
flows thereby more easily into the support portion 28 before
flowing into the second air chamber 3, and the first air chamber 2
can be filled with enough air so that the packaging object 6 stored
in the storage portion 4 can be supported.
[0067] The material used in the support portion 28 is not
particularly limited, and may be, for instance, the same material
used as in the first air chamber 2.
[0068] The second air chamber 3 comprises an inner wall portion 31
that constitutes a peripheral wall portion of the storage portion
4, an outer wall portion 32 provided outside the inner wall portion
31 so as to leave a gap with the inner wall portion 31, and a lid
portion 33 that covers the gap between the inner wall portion 31
and the outer wall portion 32. The second air chamber 3 has
substantially a rectangular ring shape in a plan view.
[0069] The inner wall portion 31 and the outer wall portion 32 of
the second air chamber 3 are configured as a tubular portion having
substantially a rectangular shape in a plan view, and are obtained
by bonding four sheet-like members, from a resin sheet or the like
formed to a substantially rectangular shape, or by folding, and
then bonding, one sheet-like member from a resin sheet or the like
formed to a substantially rectangular shape. The inner wall portion
31 and the outer wall portion 32 may each be formed through
heat-sealing of sheet-like members, or through bonding of
sheet-like members by adhesive or the like. The material used in
the second air chamber 3 may be the same material as that of the
first air chamber 2.
[0070] The lid portion 33 has a substantially rectangular ring
shape, such that an inner edge 331 of the lid portion 33 is bonded
to an upper end 311 of the inner wall portion 31, and an outer edge
332 of the lid portion 33 is bonded to an upper end 321 of the
outer wall portion 32. The lid portion 33 may be bonded the inner
wall portion 31 and the outer wall portion 32 by heat-sealing or by
adhesive or the like.
[0071] A lower end 312 of the inner wall portion 31 of the second
air chamber 3 is bonded to the top face portion 21 of the first air
chamber 2. A lower end 322 of the outer wall portion 32 of the
second air chamber 3 is bonded to the four sides of the top face
portion 21 of the first air chamber 2. As a result there forms the
second air chamber 3, having a substantially rectangular ring shape
in a plan view, and there forms, in the second air chamber 3, the
storage portion 4 for storing the packaging object 6.
[0072] Hook-and-loop fasteners 34, 34 are attached, opposite each
other, to the outer top portion of the outer wall portion 32 (outer
wall portion 32 constituting the long side of the substantially
rectangular shape in a plan view) of the second air chamber 3, so
as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the outer wall
portion 32. As a result, when the air-cushioning material 1 is
stored in a transport container (for instance, the below-described
bag for transporting a packaging object), the air-cushioning
material 1 and the transport container can lock with each other,
and the air-cushioning material 1 can be easily fixed in the
transport container by providing hook-and-loop fasteners (not
shown) capable of catching with the hook-and-loop fasteners 34, 34,
on the inner face of the transport container. When the packaging
object 6 is stored in the storage portion 4, the storage opening of
the storage portion 4 of the air-cushioning material 1 is widened
through mutual locking of the hook-and-loop fasteners 34, 34 with
the lockable hook-and-loop fasteners. This has the effect of
facilitating storage of the packaging object 6 in the storage
portion 4.
[0073] By being stored in a bag for transporting a packaging object
10 such as the one shown in FIG. 4, the air-cushioning material 1
according to the above-described present embodiment can be used as
an air-cushioning material for transporting a packaging object.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, the bag for transporting a packaging
object 10 comprises a bag body 11 of substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape having a top face portion 111, a bottom face
portion 112, a front side face portion 113, a rear side face
portion 114, a right side face portion 115 and a left side face
portion 116; storage pockets 12a, 12b provided respectively on
substantially the center of the front side face portion 113 and the
rear side face portion 114 of the bag body 11; a fastener 13
provided on the top face portion 111 of the bag body 11; and
handles 14, 14 provided respectively on the front side face portion
113 and the rear side face portion 114 of the bag body 11.
[0075] The top face portion 111, bottom face portion 112, front
side face portion 113, rear side face portion 114, right side face
portion 115 and left side face portion 116 of the bag body 11
comprise each a flexible material. Examples of such a material
include, but not limited to, cloth materials such as woven cloth of
synthetic fibers, canvas or the like, leather materials such as
natural leather, artificial leather or the like, or vinyl materials
and the like.
[0076] The size of the bag body 11 is such so as to allow the
air-cushioning material 1 to be tightly stored in the bag body 11.
The air-cushioning material 1 is prevented thereby from bulging out
excessively when air is injected into the air-cushioning material
1, while allowing the air-cushioning material 1 to expand outwards
somewhat. The air-cushioning material 1 becomes thereby firmly held
in the bag body 11, and as a result the air-cushioning material 1
can be prevented from shifting in the bag body 11 during transport
of the packaging object.
[0077] A hole 15, through which the valve 5 of the air-cushioning
material 1 stored in the bag body 11 can be exposed to the outside,
is formed at substantially the center of the lower portion of the
left side face portion 116 of the bag body 11. Below the hole 15
there is attached an end of a cover portion 16 that can cover the
valve 5 exposed through the hole 15. A hook-and-loop fastener 172
is attached above the hole 15.
[0078] A hook-and-loop fastener 171 is attached on the surface of
the other end of the cover portion 16, on the side of the left side
face portion 116. Thus, the hook-and-loop fastener 172 and the
hook-and-loop fastener 171 attached above the hole 15 of the left
side face portion 116 can fasten with each other when the valve 5,
exposed through the hole 15 of the left side face portion 116, is
covered by the cover portion 16.
[0079] The fastener 13 is provided so as to extend continuously in
the longitudinal direction of the top face portion 111, from the
upper portion of the left side face portion 116 of the bag body 11
up to the upper portion of the right side face portion 115 of the
bag body 11. The top face portion 111, the upper portion of the
right side face portion 115 and the upper portion of the left side
face portion 116 of the bag body 11 can be opened and closed by
opening and closing the fastener 13. When the fastener 13 is
opened, an opening can form in the bag body 11 such that the
air-cushioning material 1 can be stored in the bag body 11 via the
opening.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, on the inner faces of the front side
face portion 113 and the rear side face portion 114 of the bag body
11 there are respectively provided hard-elastic plate-like members
18, 18 having substantially the same size, or being slightly
smaller than, the front side face portion 113 (rear side face
portion 114). The air-cushioning material 1 (bag body 11) is
prevented thereby from expanding excessively at the front side face
portion 113 and the rear side face portion 114 when air is injected
into the air-cushioning material 1. Also, external forces derived
from outside impacts onto the front side face portion 113 and/or
the rear side face portion 114 are dispersed over the surface of
the plate-like members 18, thereby preventing impacts on the
air-cushioning material 1 from concentrating at one point. The
packaging object 6 can be held and protected, as a result, with a
substantially uniform air pressure at all times.
[0081] The front side face portion 113 and the rear side face
portion 114 are supported on the plate-like members 18, 18, and
hence, in case of an impact on the top face portion 111, the right
side face portion 115 or the left side face portion 116 of the bag
body 11, the bag body 11 caves inward only by the length of the top
face portion 111, the right side face portion 115 or the left side
face portion 116, in the transversal direction. Therefore, outside
impacts on the top face portion 111, the right side face portion
115 and the left side face portion 116 are less likely to reach the
packaging object 6, and thus the packaging object 6 can be
effectively prevented from being damaged and the like.
[0082] Moreover, the shape of the bag for transporting a packaging
object 10 can be preserved by supporting the front side face
portion 113 and the rear side face portion 114 on the plate-like
members 18, 18. The same material of the bottom plate 29 can be
used in the plate-like members 18.
[0083] The storage pockets 12a, 12b are respectively attached on
substantially the center of the front side face portion 113 and of
the rear side face portion 114 of the bag body 11. The storage
pockets 12a, 12b are substantially rectangular and have a size that
allows placing therein a label or the like indicating the type of
packaging object 6, or a tag with a shipping address for package
delivery or the like. Except the upper side, three sides of the
storage pockets 12a, 12b among the four sides thereof are attached
to the front side face portion 113 and the rear side face portion
114 of the bag body 11.
[0084] Attaching thus two storage pockets 12a, 12b allows placing a
tag in one storage pocket 12a and a label indicating the type of
packaging object 6 in the other storage pocket 12b. Doing so allows
easily identifying the type of packaging object 6 without opening
the bag for transporting a packaging object 10.
[0085] A pair of handles 14, 14 is sewn onto the respective upper
portions of the front side face portion 113 and the rear side face
portion 114 of the bag body 11. The bag for transporting a
packaging object 10 can be hand-carried more handily as a
result.
[0086] Hook-and-loop fasteners (not shown), capable of locking with
the hook-and-loop fasteners 34 attached to the outer wall portion
32 of the second air chamber 3 of the air-cushioning material 1,
are respectively attached at the inward upper portion of the front
side face portion 113 and the inward upper portion of the rear side
face portion 114 of the bag body 11.
[0087] In the air-cushioning material 1 and the bag for
transporting a packaging object 10 having the above constitutions,
the air-cushioning material 1 is stored in the bag body 11 of the
bag for transporting a packaging object 10, the packaging object 6
is stored in the storage portion 4, and air is injected into the
first air chamber 2, via the valve 5, when the opening/closing
valve of the valve 5 is open.
[0088] The vent hole 27 formed on the top face portion 21 of the
first air chamber 2 is set in such a manner that air injected into
the first air chamber 2 flows into the second air chamber 3 while
filling up the first air chamber 2 to such an extent that the
packaging object 6 can be supported. Therefore, when air is
injected via the valve 5, with the packaging object 6 stored in the
storage portion 4, air flows into the second air chamber 3 while
spreading within the first air chamber 2.
[0089] Thereupon, air becomes injected also into the support
portion 28, via the vent holes 284, 284 formed on the peripheral
face portion 283 of the support portion 28 provided in the first
air chamber 2. The packaging object 6 becomes supported as a result
by the first air chamber 2 into which air is injected.
[0090] Herein, the upper end 281 and the lower end 282 of the
support portion 28 are respectively bonded to the top face portion
21 and the bottom face portion 22 of the first air chamber 2, and
hence air can be injected into the first air chamber 2 without the
top face portion 21 bulging excessively into the storage portion 4.
The packaging object 6 stored in the storage portion 4 is prevented
thereby from jumping out of the storage portion 4.
[0091] Thereafter, continued injection of air via the valve 5
causes air to flow into the second air chamber 3, via the vent hole
27 formed on the top face portion 21, while the first air chamber 2
is kept filled with enough air so that the packaging object 6
stored in the storage portion 4 can be supported. As air flows into
the second air chamber 3, the inner wall portion 31 of the second
air chamber 3 bulges into the storage portion 4, allowing thereby
the packaging object 6 to be firmly held while preventing the
packaging object from shifting or collapsing.
[0092] When the height of the packaging object 6 is smaller than
that of the storage portion 4, the portion that is not in contact
with the packaging object 6, in the inner wall portion 31 of the
second air chamber 3 that constitutes the peripheral wall portion
of the storage portion 4, bulges into of the storage portion 4. The
air in the bulging part exerts as a result a cushioning effect on
the upper face portion of the packaging object 6, so that the
packaging object 6 can be protected, over the entire surface
thereof, from outer impacts or the like.
[0093] Once enough air is injected into the first air chamber 2 and
the second air chamber 3 so as to allow firmly holding the
packaging object 6, air injection is discontinued and the
opening/closing valve of the valve 5 is closed. As a result, the
packaging object 6 can be firmly held in the storage portion 4,
without air leaking out of the first air chamber 2 or the second
air chamber 3. At the same time, the cushioning effect of the air
that fills the first air chamber 2 and the second air chamber 3
allows preventing the packaging object 6 from being damaged or the
like on account of, for instance, external impacts.
[0094] Lastly, the fastener 13 of the bag body 11 is fastened. The
packaging object 6 can be packaged as a result in a convenient way
for hand carrying, while firmly held by the air-cushioning material
1. The packaging object 6 can be thus prevented from being damaged
on account of, for instance, external impacts, and from shifting or
collapsing in the storage portion 4, during transport.
[0095] In the above explanation, air is injected first into the
first air chamber 2 of the air-cushioning material 1 according to
the present embodiment, with air flowing thereafter into the second
air chamber 3. This allows, as a result, sufficient air to fill the
first air chamber 2, whereupon the packaging object 6 can be
supported by the air pressure of the first air chamber 2, and
allows the cushioning effect of the air to be sufficiently brought
out. The packaging object 6 can be thus effectively prevented from
being damaged or the like on account of, for instance, external
impacts.
[0096] Also, the bag for transporting a packaging object 10 having
such an air-cushioning material 1 stored therein allows
transporting the packaging object 6 while protected from external
impacts or the like, and allows effectively preventing the
packaging object 6 from being damaged or the like during
transport.
[0097] The above embodiment has been described for facilitating
understanding of the present invention, and not for limiting the
present invention. The various elements described in the above
embodiment are thus deemed to also include all design modifications
and equivalents falling under the technical scope of the present
invention.
[0098] In the above embodiment, for instance, one vent hole 27 is
formed in the top face portion 21 of the first air chamber 2 at a
position removed from the valve 5. However, there may be formed two
or more vent holes, at any position in the in the top face portion
21, provided that the air injected into the first air chamber flows
into the second air chamber while filling up the first air chamber
to such an extent that the packaging object stored in the storage
portion can be supported.
[0099] In the above embodiment, the support portion 28 comprises a
tubular member. However, the support portion 28 is not particularly
limited thereto, and may comprise, for instance plural band-like
members or the like, provided that the top face portion 21 of the
first air chamber 2 can be prevented from bulging excessively into
the storage portion.
[0100] In the above embodiment, the air-cushioning material 1 has a
substantially rectangular shape in a plan view (substantially
rectangular parallelepiped shape), but the air-cushioning material
1 may be appropriately deformed corresponding to the outer shape of
the packaging object 6, and may hence have an oval shape, circular
shape, square shape or the like in a plan view. In this case, the
bag for transporting a packaging object 10 is preferably shaped
corresponding to the shape of the air-cushioning material 1.
[0101] In the above embodiment, a protective sheet comprising nylon
or the like may also be provided on the inner wall portion 31 of
the second air chamber 3, and on the top face portion 21 of the
first air chamber 2, on the side of the storage portion 4. The
first air chamber 2 and/or the second air chamber 3 become thereby
less likely to be punctured, damaged or the like when packing a
packaging object 6 having protrusions.
[0102] In the above embodiment, the air-cushioning material 1 is
stored in the bag for transporting a packaging object 10 and used
in that state. The state of the air-cushioning material 1, however,
is not limited thereto, and may also be stored in, for instance, a
box such as a cardboard box, a container or the like, and used.
EXAMPLES
[0103] Following is a more detailed description of the present
invention through examples; however, the scope of the present
invention is not limited by these examples.
[0104] Polyurethane resin sheets having a thickness of 0.3 mm (by
Nihon Matai Co., Ltd.) were prepared, the first air chamber 2, the
second air chamber 3 and the support portion 28 were produced by
heat-sealing there sheets, and an L-shaped valve 5 was attached to
the first side face portion 23 of the first air chamber 2. Thereby,
the air-cushioning material 1 shown in FIG. 1 was produced.
[0105] The sizes of the first air chamber 2, the second air chamber
3 and the support portion 28 were set as follows.
First air chamber 2 . . . height: 90 mm, longitudinal-direction
length 420 mm, short-side-direction length: 180 mm Opening diameter
(opening area) of the vent hole 27 of the top face portion 21 . . .
8 mm (16 .pi. mm.sup.2) Second air chamber 3 . . . height: 210 mm,
width between the inner wall portion 31 and the outer wall portion
32: 40 mm Support portion 28 . . . height: 90 mm,
longitudinal-direction length 320 mm, short-side-direction length:
80 mm Opening diameter (opening area) of the vent holes 284 of the
support portion 28 . . . 8 mm (16 .pi. mm.sup.2) Opening diameter
(opening area) of the L-shaped valve 5 . . . 10 mm (25 .pi.
mm.sup.2)
[0106] A ceramic cup weighing 380g and a glass vase weighing 1560g
were respectively stored, as packaging objects 6, in the storage
portion 4 of the above air-cushioning material 1, and then air was
injected through the L-shaped valve 5. Thereupon, air flowed
firstly into the first air chamber 2, expanding the first air
chamber 2 enough so that the packaging objects 6 were successfully
supported by the air that had flowed into the first air chamber 2.
The second air chamber 3 expands then into the storage portion 4,
thereby causing the packaging object 6 to be firmly held in the
storage portion 4. With the cup or the vase stored in the storage
portion 4, the air-cushioning material 1 was dropped from a height
of 1.7 m, whereupon neither the cup nor the vase were damaged. The
air-cushioning material 1 according to the present example proved
thus to have an excellent cushioning effect on the packaging object
6.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0107] The air-cushioning material and the bag for transporting a
packaging object using the air-cushioning material can be
appropriately used, for instance, in package delivery, transport of
parts between factories and other applications.
* * * * *